Perimenopause chills: what to know

During perimenopause, changing hormone signals can affect the brain’s temperature-control system. A warm flush may be followed by sweating and then a brief cold or shivery feeling as skin temperature changes. Night sweats, poor sleep, anxiety, a cool room, or damp clothing can make the sensation more noticeable. Episodes may come and go and can occur without a measured fever.

Chills are not specific to perimenopause. Infection, low blood sugar, anaemia, thyroid problems, medication effects, and other conditions can also cause them. Checking your temperature and noticing the timing, duration, associated symptoms, and menstrual pattern can help a clinician interpret the episodes.

Use breathable layers so you can adjust clothing after a flush or sweat. Keep water nearby, change damp sleepwear, and keep the bedroom comfortable rather than very warm. Regular meals, adequate rest, and stress-reduction practices may help if skipped meals or tension trigger symptoms. Record whether chills follow a hot flush, occur at night, or appear with cough, urinary symptoms, pain, or feeling unwell.

Arrange a medical review if chills are frequent, worsening, unexplained, or disrupting sleep, especially if they do not follow a typical flush. Seek urgent care for a high or persistent fever, confusion, severe weakness, breathing difficulty, chest pain, stiff neck, fainting, or rapidly worsening illness. A clinician can decide whether examination or tests are needed instead of attributing every episode to hormone changes.

Could these episodes be flushes, medication effects, infection, or another condition? Should I check my temperature during an episode? Do my other symptoms change the evaluation?