Do Women Feel Colder Than Men? Expert Answers

You must have noticed that women generally tend to feel colder than men. This is a pretty common occurrence. But have you ever wondered why this happens? Do women really feel the chills more than men? If so, what is the reason behind this? Today, we are going to answer all these questions for you.

To get a better understanding of this, we reached out to Dr Brunda MS, Sr Consultant – Internal Medicine, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore. Read ahead.

Do Women Feel Colder Than Men?

Let us dive right into it – do women actually feel colder compared to men? Our expert answers this for you. “Yes, many women often feel colder than men because their bodies work differently. Women usually have a slower metabolic rate, which means they produce less body heat. They also tend to have a higher percentage of body fat, which keeps the core warm but makes the hands and feet feel colder,” says Dr Brunda MS.

She adds that hormonal changes, especially during periods, pregnancy, or menopause, can also affect body temperature and make women feel chilly more easily. “Women generally have lower muscle mass than men, and muscles help generate heat, so less muscle means feeling cold faster. Blood flow patterns are also different, and women’s bodies may send more warmth to vital organs, leaving the skin cooler. All these factors together make women feel colder,” explains Dr Brunda MS.

How Our Body Temperature Is Regulated

The body’s temperature is regulated by several important factors that work together to keep it stable.

Dr Brunda MS shares a detailed explanation, “The brain, especially the hypothalamus, acts like a thermostat and controls how warm or cold the body should be. Hormones also play a big role, as they can increase or decrease heat production. Muscles help regulate temperature because they create heat when they move or shiver. Blood vessels adjust by widening to release heat or narrowing to keep heat inside. The skin helps sense outside temperature and reacts to protect the body. Metabolism also affects temperature, as a faster metabolism makes more heat. External factors like weather, clothing, physical activity, and hydration also influence how the body manages temperature.”

Also Read: Body Heat: What Is It And Remedies To Resolve It

How Metabolism Impacts Body Heat

The expert shares that the body’s metabolism generates heat because every action inside the body – like digesting food, breathing, or moving muscles– uses energy.

“This energy release produces warmth. When metabolism is fast, the body burns more calories and creates more heat, helping you feel warmer. When metabolism is slow, less heat is produced, and you may feel colder,” she adds.

Dr Brunda MS further emphasises that metabolism can function differently in men and women. “Men usually have a higher metabolic rate because they have more muscle mass, and muscles naturally create more heat than fat. Women generally have a slower metabolic rate and different hormonal patterns, which can reduce heat production. These natural differences make men feel warmer and women feel colder in many situations,” she explains.

How Menopause Impacts Body Heat?

Many middle-aged women feel warmer because of menopause – is this myth or reality? Let’s hear it out from our expert. “Yes it is true. This happens mainly due to hot flashes and hormonal changes. During menopause, the levels of estrogen in the body drop, and this affects the brain’s temperature control centre. As a result, even small changes in body temperature can trigger a sudden feeling of intense heat,” answers Dr Brunda MS.

She adds, “Women may experience sweating, a warm face, and a rapid heartbeat during these episodes. These hot flashes can happen during the day or night and may last for a few seconds to several minutes. Because of these changes, women often feel warmer or suddenly overheated, even when the room temperature is normal. This warmth is not constant but comes in waves due to shifting hormone levels.”

Also Read: Are Strawberries Good For Cold?

When To See A Doctor?

If a woman feels way more colder than others, is it a cause of concern? Let’s find out.

“Feeling colder than others is usually not a serious concern, especially for women, as it can be related to natural factors like slower metabolism, hormonal changes, or lower muscle mass. However, if a woman feels unusually cold all the time, it may sometimes signal an underlying health issue. Conditions like anemia, thyroid problems, poor circulation, vitamin deficiencies, or very low body weight can make someone feel cold more often,” explains the expert.

“A woman should see a doctor if the cold feeling is constant, affects daily life, comes with tiredness, weight changes, hair fall, pale skin, numb hands or feet, or irregular periods. A doctor can check simple blood tests to find the cause and suggest the right treatment,” concludes Dr Brunda MS.

The Final Word

Women often feel colder than men because their bodies work differently. This is because of several factors like their slower metabolic rate or higher percentage of body fat.