Dr Amir Khan, a regular health expert on ITV's Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, has explained why women tend to feel hot weather more acutely than men, as the UK braces for temperatures up to 40°C this week.
Biological Reasons Behind Heat Sensitivity
In a TikTok video, Dr Khan stated that women's complaints about the heat are not exaggerated. "They (women) are not being dramatic," he said. "They are being factual, and it's really fascinating in terms of the reason behind it."
He highlighted that hormones like estrogen and progesterone affect temperature regulation, and menopause can worsen hot flushes. However, he also pointed to less obvious factors.
Body Size and Blood Volume
"Women tend to have smaller bodies and less blood volume than men," Dr Khan explained. "That means, when temperatures rise, the body has less circulating blood available to move heat from the core to the skin, where it can escape. So that takes longer."
Women also typically have smaller hearts and narrower blood vessels, making heat dissipation less efficient. Additionally, research suggests women often have higher skin temperature but lower core temperature, meaning they can feel hot even when not overheating.
Dehydration and Iron Deficiency
Smaller body size also leads to quicker dehydration from sweating. "A litre of sweat lost affects a petite woman much more than a large man, for example," Dr Khan noted.
Iron deficiency, more common in women due to menstruation, can exacerbate heat effects. "If your iron levels are low, hot weather can leave you feeling absolutely wiped out, dizzy, and exhausted," he said.
Sleep Disruption
Women already prone to sleep disruption during perimenopause and menopause may suffer more in hot weather. "Poor sleep then makes you feel less able to cope with the heat the next day," Dr Khan added.
He concluded: "I know hot weather is nice for lots of us, but, if you're struggling and if you're feeling it, particularly as a woman, you know why that is, and you can absolutely complain about it. It is your biology, and complain about it if you need to."
Tips to Keep Cool
The government recommends avoiding sun between 11am and 3pm, applying sunscreen, wearing a hat, seeking shade, keeping windows and curtains closed during the day, limiting strenuous activity, staying hydrated, and using cool water or cold packs.
