There Are Actual Biological Reasons Why Women Might Prefer A Super Duper Hot Shower, And Oh My Gosh This Makes So Much Sense

Showering together, some may say, is the epitome of romance, connection, and closeness.

Two people drawing a heart on a foggy glass surface with index fingers
iStock / Getty Images Plus

And it saves water! (Maybe debatable, but it has a nice ring to it.)

A crowd of people at an outdoor event hold a sign that reads, "Save Water. Shower Together"
Picture Alliance / dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images

The idea is nice, then comes reality, which, for some, means discovering that your partner's preferred shower temperature is absolutely heinous, 100% intolerable.

For many opposite-sex couples, that means a man who prefers cooler shower temps, and a woman who loves it super hot.

Two pairs of legs stand under a shower; text reads "wants it freezing cold" near one set of feet and "needs it boiling hot" near the other

Obviously, that doesn't really mesh.

Jon Lovette / Getty Images

It turns out there are some basic biological differences between men and women that could explain women's preference for a scalding hot shower. Dr. Sermed Mezher, a London-based locum general practitioner and content creator, broke it down in a video recently.

A smiling person in medical scrubs with a stethoscope around their neck. The scrubs have embroidered values like honesty, equality, and respect
Sermed Mezher / Via instagram.com

It all started with a TikTok by creator couple @micahandsarah, who say they can't shower together because Sarah likes to crank it wayyy up.

Dr. Sermed Mezher is seen in front of a shower control knob with the text
Dr. Sermed Mezher is seen in front of a shower control knob with the text
Dr. Sermed Mezher is seen looking shocked in front of a shower control knob with the handle cranked up, with the text
Dr. Sermed Mezher is seen looking shocked in front of a shower control knob with the handle cranked up, with the text

Sermed Mezher / Via instagram.com

Dr. Mezher stitched that video with a few potential scientific explanations, and according to the comments, it seems that Micah and Sarah are FAR from alone on this.

A comment reads "No fucking way there's a scientific explanation. I finally understand why my girlfriend showers with water coming from hell" in front of a shower head spraying water
Simonkr / Getty Images / Instagram / Via instagram.com
A comment reads "I don't bathe, I slow cook. My husband refuses to be a nicely boiled egg with me" in front of a shower head spraying water
Simonkr / Getty Images / Instagram / Via instagram.com
A comment reads "My boyfriend n I tried to shower together, so we tried to compromise on the temperature. While I was shivering, he was actively turning red" in front of a shower head spraying water
Simonkr / Getty Images / Instagram / Via instagram.com

So without further ado, here are the four biological differences Dr. Mezher says might have something to do with this shower temperature phenomenon:

1.People who menstruate have a higher core body temperature.

Dr. Sermed Mezher explains that women naturally have a fractionally higher core body temperature compared to men, shown with a line graph in the background
Dr. Sermed Mezher explains that women naturally have a fractionally higher core body temperature compared to men, shown with a line graph in the background
Dr. Sarmed Mezher explains cold sensitivity and its worsening throughout the cycle, with a graph in the background
Dr. Sarmed Mezher explains cold sensitivity and its worsening throughout the cycle, with a graph in the background

Sermed Mezher / Via instagram.com

Dr. Mezher says this "helps to keep those inner organs toasty," but can also lead to heightened sensitivity to cold at different times during the menstrual cycle, like ovulation and the last days of the cycle.

2.Female body composition generally includes a higher percentage of body fat.

Dr. Sermed Mezher explains male and female body composition differences with a bar graph comparing upper and lower body fat percentages
Dr. Sermed Mezher explains male and female body composition differences with a bar graph comparing upper and lower body fat percentages
Dr. Sermed Mezher explains that women have 6-11% higher body fat than men on average, with a bar graph comparing upper and lower body fat percentages
Dr. Sermed Mezher explains that women have 6-11% higher body fat than men on average, with a bar graph comparing upper and lower body fat percentages

Sermed Mezher / Via instagram.com

By comparison, male body composition usually includes more skeletal muscle, which helps generate heat that rises to the skin through thermogenesis.

3.Women are five times more likely to experience Raynaud's phenomenon.

Dr. Sermed Mezher, highlights that women are five times more likely to suffer from Raynaud's phenomenon, with an infrared image of a hand in the background
Dr. Sermed Mezher, highlights that women are five times more likely to suffer from Raynaud's phenomenon, with an infrared image of a hand in the background
A close-up of a hand with fingers showing Raynaud's phenomenon, where one finger is pale yellow indicating restricted blood flow
A close-up of a hand with fingers showing Raynaud's phenomenon, where one finger is pale yellow indicating restricted blood flow

Sermed Mezher / Via instagram.com, Petra Richli / Getty Images

Raynaud's can cause blood vessels in the hands and feet to spasm, constricting blood flow and circulation.

4.Estrogen, a sex hormone mainly produced in the ovaries, actually makes your hands and feet colder.

Dr. Sermed Mezher explaining a graph showing hormone levels and body temperatures over a menstrual cycle. Text reads: "but even without this women are on average 3 degrees colder in the hands and feet."

So there you have it. May all your showers be perfectly heated, and don't you dare apologize for wanting it juuuust right.

A comment reads "I thought my boyfriend was over reacting when he says I bathe in fire, laughing emoji" in front of a shower head spraying water
Simonkr / Getty Images / Instagram / Via instagram.com

Do you and your opposite-sex partner have any wildly different preferences (shower temperature or otherwise)? Please, I'm begging you, entertain me with those stories in the comments.