Dr Amir Khan is among the UK’s best-known medical experts (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Britain is facing another spell of intense heat this week, with temperatures expected to climb as high as 40C in some parts of the country. While sunseekers may welcome the hot weather, others are likely to find the conditions difficult to cope with. And according to one well-known doctor, there is a scientific reason why some people struggle more than others when the mercury rises.
Dr Amir Khan, a regular medical contributor on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, has shared an explanation for why women often feel the effects of hot weather more keenly than men.
In a video posted on TikTok, Dr Khan said the idea that women are more affected by heat is not simply anecdotal. He explained that women are “not being dramatic” when they say they feel hotter, adding that there are genuine biological factors behind it.
He said hormones are one important part of the picture, with estrogen and progesterone influencing how the body manages temperature. He also noted that menopause and hot flushes can make the experience of heat significantly worse.
But Dr Khan added that hormones are not the only reason, saying there are several other factors that are often overlooked.
He went on to explain that differences in body size and blood volume can play a role. Women, he said, generally have smaller bodies and lower blood volume than men, meaning there may be less circulating blood available to transfer heat from the body’s core to the skin, where it can be released. As a result, the cooling process can take longer.
Dr Khan also said women typically have smaller hearts and narrower blood vessels, which may make moving blood around the body to shed excess heat slightly less efficient than it is for men.
“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
