Why Women Feel Cold Differently — And Why They Are Just as Capable
15% off early sign-up: Thermalist Women's Retreat!
Most women have experienced this:
One week, cold exposure feels grounding and almost effortless.
Another week, the same temperature feels dramatically harder.
Many assume this means they “tolerate cold less well.”
But this belief is not supported by physiology — or by the research.
Women are fully capable of benefiting from cold exposure just as effectively as men.
In fact, studies show that women defend cold temperatures just as well and increase metabolism just as well as men.
The difference is not ability — it is timing.
And timing is driven by hormones.
Your Cycle Changes Your Thermal Response
Across the menstrual cycle, the body’s internal temperature, blood flow, and metabolic rate shift in predictable ways. These shifts have nothing to do with mental strength and everything to do with biology.
Estrogen improves heat conservation and enhances brown fat activation — the tissue responsible for increasing metabolic rate in the cold.
Progesterone, which rises after ovulation, naturally increases core temperature by up to 0.5°C and can make cold exposure feel more intense, even though your tolerance remains intact.
This explains why a cold plunge can feel completely different depending on where you are in your cycle.
It does not mean you are less capable.
It means your physiology is dynamic — and remarkably adaptive.
Women’s Metabolism in the Cold
Much of the narrative around cold exposure is still based on male physiology. But the emerging evidence is clear:
Women show strong metabolic activation in cold.
Women defend their core temperature just as effectively as men.
Women experience similar increases in metabolic rate through brown fat activation.
Women’s thermal sensitivity is highly influenced by hormonal phase — not by lack of ability.
This should empower women, not discourage them.
Cold exposure is not something women need to “tough out.”
It’s something they can approach with awareness — and confidence.
Cold, Heat & Hormones: What Women Need to Know
Understanding your cycle makes cold and heat exposure safer, more effective, and far more sustainable.
A few examples:
Cold may feel easier during the follicular phase due to lower core temperature.
Heat (sauna) may feel more difficult in the luteal phase due to progesterone-driven heat load.
Temperature therapy can help you manage menopause better.
And yet, most women are never taught how to work with their physiology rather than against it.
This is exactly why I began teaching evidence-based women’s thermal health — and why I created a retreat dedicated entirely to supporting women through these shifts.
Introducing the Thermalist® Women’s Retreat
Halmstad, Sweden • 24–27 April 2026
A 4-day, science-based retreat for women who want clarity, stability, and confidence in their hormonal and metabolic health — guided by my full Thermalist Method®.
This is a small, women-only retreat with limited spots.
Designed for women in all life stages, especially those navigating:
hormonal changes in their 30s–40s,
peri-menopause,
menopause and post-menopause,
or simply wanting deeper understanding of their metabolism and nervous system.
Early sign-up offer:
Women only. Limited spots.
15% early sign-up discount until January 10th!
Use the code WOMAN.
What You’ll Learn: Women’s Hormones, Peri-Menopause & Menopause
During my Women’s Health Masterclasses on the retreat, we’ll explore:
Early signs of peri-menopause — often 5–10 years before menopause
Symptoms that are not “just normal” and what they signal
What to measure: blood markers, temperature patterns, metabolic changes
How cold & heat exposure influence estrogen, metabolism, sleep and stress hormones
How to support your cycle naturally with actionable, evidence-based practices
What to do daily, weekly, and monthly to feel better without guessing
How to stabilize energy, muscle mass, mood, sleep, fat storage, and inflammation
This is practical, science-based hormonal education — not trends and not guesswork.
What You’ll Experience
Guided ocean dips in the Nordic sea
Thermalist Method® cold and heat sessions
Women’s Health Masterclasses
Access to spa and sauna
Nature immersion, breathwork, restorative practices
Nordic meals designed for blood-sugar and energy stability
Space for silence — and space for connection
You can come alone.
Or bring your sister, mother, daughter, best friend — or any woman who needs clarity, support, and a renewed connection to her body.
Retreat Packages
Flights and transport are not included.
The retreat location is a short 15-minute taxi ride from Halmstad Airport.
Single Room: 3.360 EUR
Double Room: 6.250 EUR
Women only. Limited spots.
15% early sign-up discount until January 10th!
Use the code WOMAN.
