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Hot topic -

With the chill of winter settling in, conversations around the office thermostat and home heating schedules inevitably heat up.

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Lingering question -

Gender equality conversations have been rightfully front and center, but one intriguing question remains: do women truly feel the cold differently than men? This is a common experience, at least anecdotally, but what's the science behind it?

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Body temperature -

Many things can affect our body temperature, including what we eat and drink, medications, the time of day, and even stress. Additionally, natural variations have been recorded across different age groups and sexes.

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Matter of preference? -

Research by economist Thomas Chang at the University of Southern California found that women often prefer warmer work environments than men. This isn't just an office phenomenon; studies consistently show that women experience cold more acutely, both indoors and outdoors.

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Not exclusive to humans -

Many animal species also exhibit temperature preferences. Studies have shown that male birds and mammals frequently congregate in cooler areas, such as shade, while females and their offspring typically stay in warmer, sunnier spots.

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Survival of the fittest -

One theory suggests that female mammals evolved a preference for warmer environments to better care for their young. When offspring are unable to regulate their own body temperature, warmer climates allow mothers to rest and provide warmth more effectively, providing them a significant evolutionary advantage.

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Not that simple -

As for humans, Boris Kingma, a human thermal performance scientist at the Dutch Institute of Applied Technology, cautions against oversimplification. He emphasizes that temperature preferences can be somewhat gendered, but it's not as straightforward as saying "women prefer warmer temperatures."

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Ideal temperature -

Kingma emphasizes that there's actually a lot of overlap in the ideal temperature range for men and women. He points out that any existing differences are quite subtle.

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Other factors -

He also highlights that our preferred temperature fluctuates greatly based on our activity level and clothing. Kingma points out these factors have a more significant impact on our temperature preferences than any potential metabolic differences between sexes.

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Other factors -

While biological factors do play a role, it's not just about gender. Research from the National Institutes of Health found that a person's ideal temperature is primarily influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including metabolic rate, body surface area, and body fat percentage.

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Metabolic rate -

Metabolic rate describes how quickly our body burns energy. When our metabolic rate is high, we burn food faster, generating more heat and a higher internal temperature.

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Women vs. men -

On average, women have a slightly lower metabolic rate than men. This means their bodies naturally produce less heat, making them potentially more susceptible to feeling cold. Studies have shown that men's metabolic rates are typically around 23% higher than women's, contributing to this difference.

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Muscle mass -

People with more muscle mass naturally burn more calories at rest, generating more internal heat. A 2018 study from the University of Cambridge revealed that muscle tissue is more effective at retaining heat compared to body fat. 

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Muscle mass -

Considering that women generally have less muscle mass than men, it's not surprising that they may experience cold more intensely.

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Seniors feel colder -

As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass, typically around 10% per decade after age 50. This muscle loss contributes to decreased heat production, making older adults more susceptible to feeling cold. Dr. Margarita Brida, a consultant cardiologist at Royal Brompton Hospital, explains that metabolic rate also slows down with age, further reducing heat generation.

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Body fat -

Women typically have a thicker layer of fat beneath their skin, which can create a slight insulating barrier, making the skin feel cooler. While fat provides insulation, it can also act as a barrier, hindering the transfer of heat from the body's core to the extremities like the hands and feet.

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Cold hands, warm heart -

Studies have shown that women tend to have slightly higher core body temperatures compared to men, while their extremities may be cooler. This intriguing observation likely contributes to the age-old saying "cold hands, warm heart."

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Blood flow -

Dr. Brida suggests that women's bodies may prioritize blood flow to vital organs, such as reproductive organs, over the extremities. This redirection of blood away from the hands and feet could contribute to women experiencing colder extremities.

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Used to the warmth -

Because of the higher core temperatures women’s bodies are used to being warm, which can lead them to feel the cold more acutely. Studies have shown that men often find comfortable temperatures around 72°F (22.2°C), while women typically prefer temperatures closer to 77°F (25°C).

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Hormonal differences -

Hormonal differences between men and women play a significant role in how they experience temperature. Estrogen, in particular, can dilate blood vessels in the extremities, increasing heat loss. Progesterone can constrict blood vessels in the skin, reducing blood flow to certain areas.

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Cycle fluctuations -

Hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle can significantly impact a woman's temperature regulation. These hormonal shifts can contribute to cooler extremities, with women's hands, feet, and ears often being around 5.4°F (3°C) cooler than men's.

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Ovulation -

Women may experience increased sensitivity to cold around the week following ovulation, when progesterone levels peak. This is because progesterone can slightly elevate core body temperature.

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Old challenge -

While research suggests women may experience cold differently, a key challenge remains: finding the optimal temperature in shared spaces like offices, where everyone's productivity can be affected.

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Men as the baseline -

A 2015 study revealed that many office thermostats are based on outdated thermal comfort models developed in the 1960s, which primarily considered the metabolic rates of men, which "may explain reports of women often feeling colder in their workplaces, or setting their home thermostats higher to feel comfortable," says Dr. Brida.

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Overestimation -

The study also found that these outdated models may overestimate women's metabolic rates by up to 35%, potentially contributing to their discomfort.

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How to solve it? -

Companies can invest in personal comfort systems to address individual temperature preferences in the workplace.

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How to solve it? -

Devices, such as desk fans, heated chairs, and blankets, or foot warmers, allow employees to enhance individual comfort without affecting others. They're also often more energy-efficient than central air conditioning and can improve employee satisfaction.

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How to solve it? -

For couples with differing temperature preferences, the "Scandinavian sleep method" (i.e. sleeping with separate blankets) offers a practical and cozy solution to achieve individual comfort.

Sources: (National Geographic) (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (Guy's and St Thomas' Specialist Care) 

See also: Things you didn't know can happen to men's bodies

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