Temperature

The differences in size and in the body fat to muscle ration of women can cause problems of thermal balance. Despite a woman's greater fat layer, the common wisdom holds that they are more susceptible to hypothermia because of a greater surface-to-mass ratio.  The proportionate increase in surface area that accompanies body fat provides for efficient rapid cooling, combined with a woman's slower metabolic rate.  The net effect is that women suffer more from heat loss than their male counterparts.  The effect of this surface area is minuscule compared to such factors as overall body shape and size, and the complex interplay of heat-conserving and heat-shedding mechanisms. 

Women have different sensitivities to hot and cold than men do.  Although women have a layer of subcutaneous fat that, because of its low thermal conductivity, tends to retain body heat. This means a woman can overheat faster than her male buddy.

Greater than 30% body fat there is little difference between the sexes in thermal balance.

What to do?  If you start shivering, get out and get warm.  Remove your wet suit, out of the wind if you can, dry off and put on dry clothing.  Drinking something warm will also help.  If you have been doing deeper and/or repetitive dives avoid taking a hot shower or bath for a while. 

If you are diving on a hot day keep in mind that a womens body temperature will rise 2 to 3 degrees higher than a males before the cooling process of sweating begins so make sure to not put on your wet suit too early, stay out of the sun if you can and periodically cool off.

Have you ever noticed that women of the same size and weight as their male buddies will wear more weight?  More fat = more buoyancy = more weight.