For many Jamaican women, the relentless heat has become more than just an uncomfortable part of the day. The soaring temperatures are now intensifying the challenges of perimenopause and menopause, with some women reporting worsening hot flashes, sleepless nights, heart palpitations and overwhelming exhaustion.

Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Astrid Batchelor told THE STAR that women who previously experienced mild or manageable menopause symptoms are now finding them much harder to control as temperatures rise.

“We’ve seen a few more persons experiencing or complaining that hot flashes have been returning, especially patients who were suffering from mild hot flashes before,” she said. “They are saying that they are getting them more frequently.”