HEALTH Women's Health April 8, 2026 0 Comments

Why Your Body Temp Drops After 65—And What It Means for Your Health!

So, here’s the thing: we’ve all been told since forever that our normal body temperature clocks in at 98.6°F, right? But what if I told you that this “golden number” isn’t as set in stone as you think? It actually dances around depending on your age, the time of day, where you measure it (yes, that matters!), and even if you’ve just crushed a workout or chilled on the couch. It’s like your body’s little temperature symphony, and knowing your own personal baseline can totally change the game when it comes to tracking your health. Curious about how to spot when you’re really running a fever or when it’s just your body’s usual rhythm? Stick around — this could save you a trip to the doc or at least a few sleepless nights worrying. Ready to dive into the temperature mystery and get clued-in? LEARN MORE

We grow up learning that our normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees fahrenheit. And while that’s largely true, there’s some variation depending on factors like age, time of day, where you measure and even your activity level. Keep reading to discover what’s normal for you and how knowing your baseline temperature can help you stay healthy, including when to see a doctor for a fever.

Variables that affect your average body temperature

If you’ve been wondering what constitutes a normal body temperature, you’re not the only one. “This has actually been a source of great fascination over the years,” says William Schaffner, MD, professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

“Most people think there’s a single ‘normal’ body temperature, but that’s not really correct,” he continues. “What’s more important is consistency—what’s normal for you.” Here, Dr. Schaffner shares a few key factors that may affect body temperature.

How do you usually know when you have a fever?

Time of day

Typically, human body temperature is about a degree to a degree and a half lower in the morning than in the late afternoon or evening, he says. This variation partly explains why fevers tend to spike higher in the afternoon and evening when we’re sick.

How the temperature is taken

Another factor is where you take the reading, for example, an oral temperature vs. a forehead temperature measurement. “It’s not going to be identical everywhere,” says Dr. Schaffner. “Even at a single moment, readings can differ depending on the location, whether it’s the mouth, armpit or inner ear.”

The part of your body

“Cold hands, warm heart” isn’t just an idiom, it speaks the truth about our body temperature. “The body’s core, internal temperature around the organs is higher than peripheral areas like our hands and feet,” notes Dr. Schaffner.

Your menstrual cycle

Of course, for women of childbearing age, “normal” body temperature changes with the menstrual cycle. “Around ovulation, temperature rises slightly—that’s why tracking temperature can help with fertility,” notes Dr. Schaffner.

Also worth noting: Exercise will raise body temperature temporarily, adds Dr. Schaffner. And being in hot or cold environments will affect readings, especially at the skin level.

Does normal body temperature change with age?

Yes. Our body temperature tends to decrease as we get older, particularly after age 65, by about a degree to a degree and a half, says Dr. Schaffner. This happens because our inflammatory response weakens and our ability to regulate temperature declines. That said, the differences between age groups and between men and women are relatively small.

Normal body temperature by age

Here’s a quick reference guide to what’s considered a healthy temperature range at different life stages:

	Normal body temperature	Key differences
Children	97.5 to 99.5°F	Similar to adults; may run slightly warmer at times
Adult women under 65	97.5 to 99.5°F	Can run slightly higher during ovulation/menstrual cycle
Adult men under 65	97.0 to 99.0°F	Generally similar to women, but without cyclical variation
Adults 65+ (both men and women)	96.5 to 98.5°F	Baseline tends to be lower; fever may be less pronounced

What this means for your health

As we age, our weakened inflammatory response means we may not run as high a fever when we’re sick. “For example, with a respiratory infection, an older adult may not develop as high a fever as a younger person would,” says Dr. Schaffner. “A ‘normal’ fever threshold [100.4°F or higher] may not apply the same way. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to changes from a person’s usual baseline.”

For instance, an older person with a temperature of 100°F may actually be running a fever, even though it’s below the typical threshold. And a person in a nursing home who becomes delirious may have the flu even without any fever at all.

The key takeaway? “We need to be more vigilant, especially in older adults and immunocompromised individuals, even if there isn’t a clear fever,” explains Dr. Schaffner. “Someone can still have an infection without a significant rise in [body] temperature.”

When to see a doctor about changes in your body temperature

In short, err on the side of caution and call your doctor if you notice changes from your normal body temperature, urges Dr. Schaffner. “We tend to put it off, but if you’re older, immunocompromised or taking medications that blunt the inflammatory response, your temperature may not rise much at all,” he says. “So if you do hit 100°F, call your provider to be on the safe side.”

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This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.