Dr Amir Khan is one of the UK’s most well-known health experts (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
The UK is basking in another heatwave this week, with temperatures due to hit 40 degrees in some areas. While this is great news for those who love the hot weather, for those who aren’t as keen, it’s going be very uncomfortable indeed. And if you’ve ever heard someone complaining they’re suffering in the heat while you don’t think it’s so bad, it turns out there’s a science behind it.
Dr Amir Khan is a familiar face on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, where he regularly dishes out useful health information and advice. And now he has explained why women tend to feel hot weather more than men.
Speaking in a video on TikTok, Dr Khan said the idea that women feel the heat more strongly is not simply a matter of perception. “They (women) are not being dramatic,” he said. “They are being factual, and it’s really fascinating in terms of the reason behind it.
“So we know that hormones play a role, and that’s true. Estrogen and progesterone can affect how your body regulates temperature, and menopause and hot flushes can make things so much worse.
“So absolutely that is true. But there are some other things that people just don’t think about.”
He continued by explaining how the way women’s bodies generally differ from men’s contributes to the problem. “Women tend to have smaller bodies and less blood volume than men,” he said. “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 tend to have smaller hearts and narrower blood vessels, so shifting blood around the body to get rid of excess heat may be slightly less efficient than that of a man’s.
“And here’s a really interesting one I think. Research suggests women often have a higher skin temperature, but a lower core temperature than men. So, even when their body isn’t actually overheating, they can feel hot and more uncomfortable as well.”
Dr Khan also said women’s generally smaller bodies can also mean they are likely to get dehydrated more quickly, particularly through sweating. “A litre of sweat lost affects a petite woman much more than a large man, for example,” he said.
Continuing, he said: “There’s also things like iron deficiency. Women are much more likely to be low in iron because of periods. And if your iron levels are low, hot weather can leave you feeling absolutely wiped out, dizzy, and exhausted.
“And let’s not forget all those things like sleep. Women are already more likely to be struggling with sleep disruption during perimenopause and menopause. So hot weather just adds to that awfulness. And poor sleep then makes you feel less able to cope with the heat the next day.”
Concluding, he said: “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.”
How to keep cool in the heatwave
There are a number ways to keep yourself cool during the hot weather. The government provided the following tips:
- Avoid the sun when it is strongest, usually between 11am and 3pm
- If outdoors, apply high protection sunscreen regularly, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and seek shade
- Keep windows and curtains closed in rooms that face the sun during the day, and open windows if it is safe to when the air feels cooler outside than inside
- Limit strenuous physical activity, or plan physical activity for times of the day when it is cooler, like the early morning or evening
- Avoid hot, closed spaces like stationary cars
- Wear loose, light-coloured clothing made from breathable natural fabrics such as cotton or linen
- Stay hydrated throughout the day, not only when thirsty. If sweating heavily, consider rehydration drinks to replace lost electrolytes. Limit caffeine and alcohol
- Spray or sponge your skin with cool water. Cold packs wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck can also help
- Turn off non-essential electronics
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
