Are Women More Sensitive to Cold Than Men?
ITHACA, N.Y.—Several studies suggest that women are physiologically less tolerant of the cold than men, according to a recent article on Yahoo Health. The article states that more than half of lab and field studies found that women are more likely than men to “express thermal dissatisfaction,” and that women are more sensitive to cooler conditions. This difference often manifests itself in offices during the summer, when buildings are overcooled to offset warm outdoor temperatures. The article cites a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study that found that buildings typically are overcooled in the summer, with actual temperature ranges lower than ASHRAE guidance for indoor temperatures of 74°F to 78°F (23°C to 26°C) in summer. There are several factors that play into how people experience cold, including body type and amount of fat and muscle. Other factors include clothing. Compared with men’s button-down shirts and jackets, the clothing many women wear in summer tends to be lighter, says Alan Hedge, a professor at Cornell University’s Department of Design and Environmental Analysis. Such clothing can often expose cold-sensitive areas such as the back of the neck and ankles.