Doctor Reveals Biological Reason Heatwaves Hit Women Harder
Dr Nighat Arif, a women's health GP and broadcaster known for appearances on ITV's Loose Women and This Morning, has explained why heatwaves may feel more intense for women. In a social media video, she highlighted the thermoregulatory divide—the difference in how male and female bodies cool down—stating that women are biologically more affected by high temperatures.
Dr Arif said: "Women's bodies actually cool differently, and it's known as the thermoregulatory divide, and yes we've only just started looking at this because we never seriously research women's bodies, but we do know that women are hit harder by summer heatwaves."
Biology, Not Just Lifestyle
The doctor emphasised that the disparity is rooted in biology rather than lifestyle. "Women are more affected by heatwaves due to differences in body fat, hormones, and how they regulate heat, so we actually sweat later and less than men," she explained. This means women begin sweating at a higher core temperature and produce less sweat overall, making evaporation cooling less effective.
Instead of releasing heat through sweat, the body shifts blood to the skin, which can drop blood pressure, leading to dizziness or fainting. For some women, a heatwave acts as a "cardiovascular stress test," according to Dr Arif.
Hormonal and Physical Factors
Dr Arif noted that higher body fat in women acts as insulation, trapping heat. Hormones also play a role: progesterone in the second half of the menstrual cycle raises core temperature, while after menopause, lower estrogen impairs vascular function and skin blood flow, making temperature control less stable.
She warned that heat exposure has been linked to higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, with reviews suggesting women may have higher susceptibility to heat-related cardiovascular death in some settings.
Practical Advice for Women
Dr Arif urged women to treat heatwaves seriously, especially those in the luteal phase of their cycle, perimenopausal, or pregnant. "Use cooling strategies and seek assessment if you feel dizzy, if you get palpitations, heart symptoms, or unusual fatigue," she advised. "Don't just brush it off... that is actually your body talking. Listen to it."
