Why Hot Weather Can Feel So Much Harder For Women

As temperatures rise, many women notice they are feeling more tired, uncomfortable and drained than the men around them. If that's you, it's not just in your head. Biology plays a big part in how we cope with heat.

Women are built differently and that affects how we stay cool. Our bodies are incredibly clever at regulating temperature, but women and men don't do it in exactly the same way.

Women generally have a higher percentage of body fat than men. Fat acts as an insulator, helping to keep us warm in cold weather. The downside is that it can make it harder for the body to lose heat when temperatures soar.

Women also tend to have less muscle mass. Muscle produces heat but also helps circulate blood around the body. Combined with differences in body composition, this means women may regulate heat differently.

Another important difference is body size and surface area. On average, women have a smaller body with less skin surface available to release heat. That can make cooling down a little less efficient.

Hormones change everything

Hormones have a surprisingly powerful effect on body temperature.

After ovulation, the hormone progesterone naturally raises your core body temperature by around 0.3 - 0.5°C. That may not sound like much, but during a heatwave it can be enough to leave you feeling hotter, sweating more and becoming uncomfortable more quickly.

For women in perimenopause and menopause, falling and fluctuating oestrogen levels can affect the brain's temperature control centre. This is why hot flushes and night sweats often become more frequent or more intense during warm weather.

Women sweat differently

One of the biggest reasons women often struggle in the heat is that we generally start sweating later and produce less sweat than men.

Sweating is one of the body's most effective cooling systems. Women rely slightly more on increasing blood flow to the skin than on sweating, it can sometimes take longer for the body to cool itself, particularly during prolonged heat or exercise.

This doesn't mean women are less fit or less healthy, it is simply a different biological response.

Sleep, swelling and energy

Hot weather also affects women in other ways.

Heat causes blood vessels to widen, which can lead to swollen feet, ankles and fingers. Sleep often becomes more disrupted, especially if hormones are already causing night sweats or restless nights. Poor sleep then impacts mood, concentration, skin health and energy the following day.

Be kind to your body

If you have been feeling more exhausted, irritable or uncomfortable in this warm weather, remember that your body is working incredibly hard behind the scenes to keep your temperature stable.

Stay hydrated, wear loose clothing, avoid the hottest part of the day where possible and don't feel guilty about slowing down. Looking after yourself during a heatwave isn't being lazy, it's working with your biology rather than against it.