Why Summer Can Make Dryness Feel Worse and What You Can Do About It.

Summer is my favorite season. Give me a lake, a beach, a winery patio, or a family vacation, and I’m happy. But if you’re in perimenopause or menopause, summer can also be the season when little discomforts suddenly become a lot more noticeable. As a pharmacist, I’ve had women tell me: “I don’t know what’s going on. Everything was fine, and now I feel irritated all the time.” And honestly? I’m not surprised. Because summer has a way of changing our routines without us even realizing it. We’re outside more. We’re sweating more. We’re traveling. We’re spending long days at the pool. We’re enjoying happy hours with friends and sometimes forgetting to drink enough water in between. Before you know it, the things that normally wouldn’t bother you suddenly do. Most of us think about dehydration in terms of dry skin or chapped lips. What many women don’t realize is that hydration affects delicate tissues throughout the body as well. A few days of Texas heat, a weekend at the lake, or a vacation packed with activities can leave many women feeling less comfortable than usual. And then there are the swimsuits. Let’s be honest. How many of us have stayed in a wet swimsuit far longer than we intended? You go to the pool at noon and somehow it’s late afternoon and you’re still sitting around visiting with family and friends. Wet fabrics, heat, and friction aren’t always a recipe for comfort. One of the simplest things you can do is change into dry clothing when you’re finished swimming. Your skin will thank you. Travel can create its own challenges. One minute you’re following your normal routine. The next you’re walking 20,000 steps a day, spending hours in the car or on an airplane, eating differently, sleeping differently, and wondering why your body feels out of sync. I know because I’ve done it myself. In fact, I never travel without a few comfort essentials: A refillable water bottle, My refrigerator-cold Cooling Spray, A dry change of clothes if I’m headed to the pool, Vagi LipTwist for targeted external comfort. And yes… sometimes a portable fan. No shame in the menopause game. One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that dryness is always an internal issue. Sometimes it is. But sometimes what women are actually experiencing is external irritation from heat, friction, moisture, or increased sensitivity. That’s why understanding the difference between internal hydration and external comfort is so important. They’re not the same thing. And they don’t always require the same solution. The good news? Summer discomfort doesn’t usually require a complicated fix. A little more water. Changing out of wet swimsuits. Breathable fabrics. Paying attention to both internal and external comfort. Small things can make a surprisingly big difference. Summer should be about making memories, not managing discomfort. Whether you’re headed to the beach, the lake, a family reunion, or simply enjoying a walk around the neighborhood, comfort matters. If you’ve noticed dryness or irritation feels worse during the summer months, you’re not alone. Sometimes it’s not your imagination. Sometimes it’s just July in Texas. And if you know, you know. ☀️💜