Dr Amir Khan: It’s true women feel hot weather more than men

The UK is enjoying another heatwave this week, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees in some areas. While this is great news for those who love warm weather, it will be very disturbing indeed for those who are not so keen. And if you’ve ever heard someone complain about being in pain because of the heat, even though you don’t think it’s that bad, it turns out there’s some science behind it.

Dr Amir Khan is a familiar face on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, where he regularly provides useful health information and advice. And now he’s explained why women tend to feel the hot weather more than men.

Speaking in a video posted on TikTok, Dr Khan said the idea that women feel warmth more strongly is not just a matter of perception. “They (the women) are not being dramatic,” she said. “They’re based on facts, and it’s really fascinating in terms of the reasoning behind it.

“So we know hormones play a role, and that’s true. Estrogen and progesterone can affect how your body regulates temperature, and menopause and hot flashes can make things much worse.”

“So that’s absolutely true. But there are other things that people don’t think about.”

She continued by explaining how the fact that women’s bodies are generally different from men’s contributes to the problem. “Women tend to have smaller bodies and less blood volume than men,” he said. “This means that when temperatures rise, there is less circulating blood in the body to move heat from the core to the skin, where it can escape, which takes longer.

“Women also tend to have smaller hearts and narrower blood vessels, so circulating blood around the body to get rid of excess heat may be slightly less effective than men’s.

“And I think there’s something really interesting here. Research shows that women generally have a higher skin temperature than men, but a lower core temperature. So, even though their bodies aren’t actually overheating, they can feel hot and more uncomfortable.”

Dr Khan also said women’s overall smaller bodies could mean they become dehydrated more quickly, particularly through sweating. “For example, a liter of sweat lost affects a petite woman much more than a large man,” he said.

She continued: “There are also things like iron deficiency. Women are more likely to be iron deficient due to their menstrual cycle. If your iron levels are low, hot weather can make you feel completely exhausted, dizzy and exhausted.”

“And let’s not forget things like sleep. Women are already more likely to struggle with sleep disruption during perimenopause and menopause. So hot weather exacerbates this awful situation. And poor sleep makes you less able to cope with the heat the next day.”

In closing, she said: “I know the warm weather is nice for most of us, but if you’re struggling and you feel it, especially as a woman, you know why and you can certainly complain about it. It’s your biology, and complain about it if you have to.”

How to keep cool during a heatwave?

There are many ways to keep yourself cool in hot weather. The government gave the following tips:

• Avoid the sun when the sun is at its strongest, usually between 11am and 3pm
• If you’re outdoors, apply high-protection sunscreen regularly, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and seek shade.
• Keep windows and curtains closed in sun-facing rooms during the day, and open windows if safe to do so when the air outside is cooler than inside.
• Limit strenuous physical activity or schedule physical activity for cooler times of the day, such as early morning or evening
• Avoid hot, enclosed areas such as stationary cars
• Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing made from breathable natural fabrics such as cotton or linen
• Stay hydrated throughout the day, not just when you’re thirsty. If you sweat a lot, consider rehydration drinks to replace lost electrolytes. Limit caffeine and alcohol
• Spray or sponge your skin with cold water. Cold compresses wrapped in a cloth and placed under the armpit or on the neck may also be helpful.
• Turn off non-essential electronics