UK Weather: Why Heatwaves Hit Women Harder

When a record-breaking heatwave hit the United Kingdom in June, many women said they felt overwhelmed, dizzy, and completely exhausted. Women across the country reached out to the BBC to share how badly the heat affected them. Doctors say this is no coincidence — extreme heat hits women harder than men, and experts are now calling for better awareness of this problem.

Dr. Nighat Arif is a doctor for the UK's National Health Service who focuses on women's health. She told the BBC that heatwaves act like a stress-test for women's hearts and blood vessels. Dr. Cat Pinho-Gomes, a public health expert at University College London, added that women may also be slightly more likely than men to die from heat-related causes, though more research is still needed.

There are two main biological reasons women struggle more in the heat. First, women produce less sweat and don't start sweating until their body is already hotter than a man's would be. This makes it harder for their bodies to cool down quickly, and harder to even notice when they are overheating, since there is less sweat to see.

Second, women naturally have a higher body temperature and more body fat than men. Body fat acts like an extra layer of insulation, trapping heat inside. Women's hormone levels also rise and fall throughout their lives, and these changes can disrupt the brain's ability to control body temperature.

Hormones called oestrogen and progesterone shift the most during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause. These shifts can make it harder for the body to stay at a safe temperature. All of this puts extra pressure on women's hearts, especially when it is hot outside.

But biology is not the only reason women are more at risk. Dr. Pinho-Gomes said that women's daily lives also matter. Women are often lower paid and more likely to be caregivers for children or elderly relatives, which can make it harder to look after themselves when temperatures soar.

Age plays a role too. Women tend to live longer than men, which means more women are elderly — and older people are more vulnerable to heat. Older people are also more likely to have health conditions or take medicines that make heat stress even worse.

During the menstrual cycle, a woman's sensitivity to heat changes along with her hormones. In the second half of the cycle, progesterone rises and can push body temperature even higher. Then, when a period begins, oestrogen drops to its lowest point, putting more strain on the heart.

Michaela Finn, from north London, was on her period during the June heatwave. She said she felt faint in the shower and had to call in sick to work. "My body was completely exhausted, aching and cramping," she said. Other young women reported nearly fainting and suffering from brain fog — a feeling of being unable to think clearly.

Losing blood during a period also means losing iron. Low iron can affect sleep and make it harder for blood to carry oxygen around the body. Dr. Arif said this gives the heart even more work to do, especially in hot weather.

Women going through menopause often experience hot flushes and night sweats because their oestrogen levels are falling. During a heatwave, these episodes can become more frequent and more severe. Hilary Serif, 57, from Cheshire, described her hot flushes as "truly horrendous, especially at night time," saying there was no relief from the outside heat either.

Pregnant women also have a harder time in the heat because their bodies produce more heat naturally and need more fluids. Research published in a major medical journal called The Lancet found that too much heat during pregnancy can lead to health risks for both the mother and baby. Jess Bloom, 35, who was heavily pregnant during the summer heat, said: "It's literally hell."

Doctors have clear advice for women during heatwaves. Dr. Arif said women should learn the signs of heat exhaustion, drink plenty of water, use fans, and avoid exercise during the hottest parts of the day. She also urged employers and policymakers to take women's needs in hot weather more seriously.

Dr. Pinho-Gomes added that more women need to be in positions of power so their experiences are considered when important decisions are made. Dr. Arif summed it up simply: "This is not a woman's problem. This is a societal problem. If we get it right for women, we get it right for everyone."