Why heatwaves hit women harder
Summary
Heatwaves impact women more than men due to differences in hormone levels and how their bodies handle heat. Experts say women sweat less, have higher body fat, and fluctuating hormones affecting temperature control, which can strain their heart and cause more heat-related problems.Key Facts
- Women produce less sweat and start sweating only at higher temperatures than men, making it harder to cool down.
- Women generally have higher core body temperature and more body fat, which insulates heat more than men’s bodies.
- Hormone changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause affect women’s ability to regulate body temperature.
- Women’s cardiovascular systems face more stress during heatwaves because of these biological differences.
- Older women are especially vulnerable since they live longer and may have conditions like dementia or take medications affecting heat tolerance.
- Social factors, such as caregiving roles and lower income, can also make it harder for women to protect themselves during heatwaves.
- Some women report increased fatigue, dizziness, and worsened menstrual symptoms during extreme heat.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
