Women report late or double periods in June
Thousands of UK women have taken to social media to report that their periods were either late or occurred twice in June. One TikTok user, Oz, shared that her period was 13 days late 'and counting,' adding, 'June has just been weird. This is not typical for me.' Another user, @thrivingwithhannah, said her daughter missed her period entirely, while others reported having two periods in one month.
Heatwaves linked to menstrual cycle changes
Since May, the UK has experienced three heatwaves, with June setting a record for the hottest temperature at 37°C in East Anglia. Scientists estimate that more than 2,700 deaths in England and Wales during these periods were directly due to excessive heat, attributed to climate change. Experts suggest that heatwaves can act as a 'stress test' on women's cardiovascular systems, potentially affecting menstrual cycles.
How heat affects women's bodies
Women's bodies respond differently to heat than men's. Men tend to sweat more, cooling down effectively, while women struggle to release heat. Additionally, being on your period can increase body temperature by 0.3 to 0.7°C, compounding the effects of high outdoor temperatures.
Expert explanations on period disruption
Pharmacist Thorrun Govind explains that the menstrual cycle is sensitive to changes in the body, such as disrupted sleep, dehydration, and physical stress caused by heatwaves. 'These factors may contribute to temporary changes in the menstrual cycle,' she says. Dr Babak Ashrafi, a GP at Superdrug Online Doctor, notes that the average cycle is 28 days but can range from 21 to 35 days, making it possible to have two periods in one calendar month if the cycle is shorter or ovulation occurs earlier.
When to seek medical advice
Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor, says that while the evidence for hot weather directly affecting menstrual cycles is not concrete, the symptoms heatwaves induce can have an impact. She adds, 'These effects are likely to be quite modest; they won't happen to everyone.' A period is considered late if it hasn't arrived seven days or more after expected. Dr Babak advises that if periods remain irregular over several months, or if there is unusually heavy bleeding, severe pain, or bleeding between periods, medical advice should be sought.
