Menopause can feel like a rollercoaster, and every woman’s experience is unique. But I’ve often wondered—does living in a country with extreme seasons, like Canada, make it worse? In a place with harsh winters and hot summers, the constant shifts in temperature, light, and lifestyle might have a real impact. On the flip side, what about women who live in places with constant sunshine? Do they have it easier? Or is it just that in Western countries, we’re more open to complaining, seeking solutions, and turning to medication?
I don’t have all the answers, but in this post, I’ll explore how climate and culture might affect menopause—because it’s more complicated than just the weather.
The Impact of Extreme Seasons on Menopause
In Canada, we go from freezing, dark winters to sweltering summers, and I think those seasonal shifts play a big role in how menopause feels.
1. Temperature Swings and Hot Flashes
If you’ve ever bundled up to survive a Canadian winter, only to start sweating the minute you step indoors, you know what I’m talking about. Hot flashes can be overwhelming when your environment keeps changing. In winter, central heating can make your house feel like a furnace. In summer, the heat and humidity can make flashes feel even more unbearable. I find that my body becomes hypersensitive to any temperature change, and it’s exhausting!
2. Dark Winters and Mood Swings
Winter here can be long and dark. It’s no surprise that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is more common in places like Canada, where we lose the sun for months on end. For those of us in menopause, that can mean even more mood swings, anxiety, and low energy. When the sky turns grey for weeks, it’s easy to feel down, and I know from experience that low sunlight doesn’t do wonders for my menopause symptoms.
3. Dry Skin and Cold Air
My skin is already dry thanks to menopause, but add the cold, dry winter air, and it’s like sandpaper. Constant moisturizing becomes a winter ritual. In contrast, I imagine that women living in warm, humid climates might not have to deal with this same challenge, making their menopause journey a bit kinder to their skin.
What’s It Like in Sunny, Warm Climates?
Then there are places that seem to be in perpetual summer—Mediterranean countries or tropical regions where the weather is mostly warm and sunny. Do women in those places have an easier time with menopause?
1. More Sunshine, Better Moods
There’s a reason people talk about Vitamin D as the “sunshine vitamin.” Consistent sunlight can boost mood, stabilize hormones, and keep our energy levels more consistent. Women who have access to natural sunlight all year might not deal with the same winter blues or the dramatic mood swings that seem to come with shorter, darker days.
2. Hormonal Balance and Daily Rhythm
Consistent sunshine supports a stable daily rhythm, which can have a positive impact on our hormones. When our circadian rhythm is steady, it’s easier to sleep well, manage stress, and avoid those sudden mood crashes. Warm, sunny climates might just make it easier to maintain that balance—something that’s not so simple when you’re living through the Canadian winter!
3. Year-Round Activity
In warmer climates, it’s easier to get outside, stay active, and move your body. Exercise can be a huge help for menopause symptoms, from mood to joint pain, but it’s hard to stay motivated when it’s icy and dark outside. I know I feel better when I’m moving, but in January, sometimes all I want to do is hibernate. I imagine women in sunny places don’t have to fight that same urge.
But let’s be honest—it’s not just about the weather.
Western Attitudes Toward Menopause
Beyond climate, how we view menopause is heavily influenced by culture. In Western countries like Canada, there’s a tendency to see menopause as something to “fix” or “manage.” And I think that affects how we experience it.
1. Menopause as a Problem to Solve
In the West, menopause often gets medicalized. There’s a pill, supplement, or gadget for every symptom. On the one hand, this can be a good thing—no one should have to suffer if there’s a way to find relief. But it can also make menopause feel like a disease, something that needs constant monitoring and managing. I sometimes wonder if we’re conditioned to focus more on our symptoms, and in doing so, they feel worse.
2. Open Conversations—Helpful or Harmful?
I appreciate that in Western cultures, we’re open about our struggles. Talking about menopause helps break down stigma, but it also means we’re more likely to vent our frustrations. In countries where menopause is seen as just another life stage, rather than a crisis, women might report fewer symptoms—not because they don’t experience them, but because they’re not as focused on them. Maybe they’re not “complaining” less; they’re just not medicalizing it as much.
3. A Consumer Culture of Solutions
It’s hard to escape the commercial side of menopause in Western countries. There’s an entire industry dedicated to menopause relief—everything from hormone therapy to cooling pajamas. It’s great to have options, but it can also make it feel like menopause is a battle to be fought rather than a natural transition. In countries where consumer culture is less dominant, women might rely more on lifestyle changes or traditional remedies, which can shift how they perceive their symptoms.
So, Is It the Climate or the Culture?
It’s a bit of both, isn’t it? Climate clearly has a role to play—extreme seasons might make some menopause symptoms feel worse, while consistent sunshine can help stabilize mood and energy. But culture is just as influential. In the West, our mindset around menopause often involves seeking relief through medical means, which can heighten our awareness of symptoms.
In countries with warm, consistent weather, women might have fewer triggers for things like hot flashes and mood swings, but they may also have a more laid-back attitude toward menopause. That doesn’t mean the experience is easier, just different. It’s not necessarily that we complain more in the West, but that we’re used to looking for solutions. Sometimes, I think it’s about finding a balance between accepting what we can’t control and finding relief where we can.
Climate and culture both play a role in shaping our menopause journey. Living through four seasons, especially with the extremes Canada has, can certainly make symptoms feel more intense. Yet, there’s also something valuable about our openness in Western societies—being able to talk about menopause openly, to share solutions, and to support each other through the ups and downs.
What matters most is finding what works for you. Whether that’s a walk in the winter sun, a cozy sweater to combat hot flashes, or simply knowing you’re not alone in this transition, every woman’s journey is valid. Embracing menopause as a part of life, rather than something to be fixed, might be the best solution of all.
In solidarity and strength,
Evelyn