Women's Heat Waves Are Harder to Bear: Science Explains Why

Women find heatwaves harder to endure: science explains why In recent days, as temperatures in Slovenia once again climb into high ranges and thermal stress becomes pronounced, many women have noticed they feel more drained than usual. Symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, bloating, irritability, mental fog and the sensation that their bodies simply can't cope anymore are not necessarily just the result of poor mood due to looking at a thermometer. As heatwaves affect regions around the world, even in countries unaccustomed to such extreme summer temperatures, such as the United Kingdom, social media platforms have been filled with claims from women stating that their periods have delayed or even skipped during intense heat. Some have directly blamed the high temperatures for these changes. But can heat actually alter a woman’s menstrual cycle? Science has some answers, though they are not entirely black-and-white. Heat alone does not cause missed periods Claiming that ambient heat is solely responsible for the appearance or absence of menstruation would be inaccurate, as there are currently no reliable scientific studies confirming this link, according to Madeleine Finlay, co-host of the British podcast Science Weekly. However, the connection between heat and female well-being during these months can be strong. Heatwaves often coincide with stress factors that significantly influence the menstrual cycle. “Among the most important are sleepless nights, and the role can also be played by greater physical exertion in cooling down, changes in eating habits and fluid intake, changes in daily routines or even travel,” Finlay explained. All these factors represent forms of stress for the female body. “When the body or mind is under stress, cortisol levels rise, which disrupts the balance of reproductive hormones that regulate the length and timing of the menstrual cycle,” she added. Typically, this means that menstruation begins later, although it could also occur earlier. Some women notice changes in the intensity of menstrual bleeding. The response varies greatly among individuals. Some women are more sensitive to physiological stress than others, meaning that a heatwave might cause noticeable changes in one person's cycle while having little effect on another. If menstruation returns to its regular rhythm after several cycles, minor deviations are usually not a cause for concern, Finlay noted. Such responses can be viewed as a protective mechanism of the body, temporarily directing energy and available resources toward addressing the most pressing stresses. If, however, menstruation is absent for an extended period, if bleeding is unusually heavy, or if other symptoms appear alongside these changes, it is advisable to consult a doctor or gynecologist. Heatwaves place a heavier burden on women’s hearts Extreme heat can affect anyone, but the way women and men bodies manage temperature differs significantly. “Heatwaves are a kind of stress test for the cardiovascular system of women and tend to affect them more severely than men,” said Dr. Nighat Arif, a British general physician specializing in women’s health, speaking to the BBC. Research indicates that women generally produce less sweat and begin sweating at higher body temperatures than men. Since sweating is one of the main ways the body regulates excess heat, women may cool down more slowly. This can make it harder to assess how much the body is already stressed. If, for example, we don’t see much sweat on the skin or clothing, we might mistakenly believe that we are handling the heat well. Women also typically have a higher proportion of body fat, which acts as an additional insulating layer. Combined with the natural fluctuations of hormones, which Dr. Arif described as “throwing the brain’s thermoregulatory systems out of balance,” this can further complicate the body’s ability to respond effectively to heat. The most pronounced changes in hormone levels occur during the menstrual cycle, perimenopause and menopause, pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is precisely during these periods that the body’s capacity to handle the effects of heat can become more vulnerable.