Men and women are distinct in various ways, including the way they cope with illness. Furthermore, men and women experience illnesses differently, requiring varying treatments.

In other words, the gender of a person plays a significant role in determining the effect of a disease on a person’s health. With that in mind, here are the diseases that affect men and women differently:.

1. Heart disease

Men are more susceptible to coronary artery disease, a type of heart disease that creates plaque buildup in the arteries leading to the heart, than women.

Women are more likely to have broken heart syndrome, a type of heart problem that occurs after a stressful event or the loss of a loved one. Women are also more likely to have microvascular heart disease, which occurs when the tiny arteries in the heart are damaged.

2. Depression

The depression rates in men and women are similar, but the manifestation of symptoms differs. Women are more likely to show symptoms of sadness, anxiety, and guilt. Men, on the other hand, tend to appear more irritable and aggressive.

Men are more likely to commit suicide, but women are more likely to have suicidal thoughts.

3. Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes our bones to become fragile and weak, resulting in an increased risk of fractures. Women have a higher risk of osteoporosis because they have lighter and smaller bones than men, live longer, and undergo menopause.

Men, on the other hand, are at a greater risk of getting osteoporosis if they have low testosterone levels, celiac disease, or take certain medications.

4. Urinary tract infections

Women are more prone to urinary tract infections than men because a woman has a shorter urethra than a man. For example, bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder, which can cause an infection.

Women are also more likely to develop urinary tract infections after having sexual intercourse. For men, the occurrence of urinary tract infections is frequently linked to an enlarged prostate, which disrupts the normal urinary tract flow.

5. Migraines

Migraines affect women three times more than men. Experts are not sure why, but hormonal changes during a woman’s menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause may be the reason.

For men, migraines are usually associated with more severe symptoms, such as vomiting, and can last longer than migraines for women.

6. Alzheimer’s disease

Women are more likely to be affected by Alzheimer’s disease than men. Studies show that this is most likely because women live longer than men. Therefore, the longer a woman lives, the more vulnerable she is to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

Additionally, women are more likely to be diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease than men.

7. Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, causing inflammation. Women are three times more likely than men to develop multiple sclerosis.

The reason for this may be related to hormone levels, genes, and environmental factors. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to experience mobility problems and cerebral lesions.

8. Colon cancer

Men are more likely than women to develop colon cancer. Additionally, men are more likely to have larger tumors, a later onset of bowel symptoms, and less favorable outcomes.

Women, on the other hand, are more likely to develop colon cancer after the age of 75. They tend to have better outcomes because the disease is detected at an earlier stage.

9. Autoimmune diseases

Women are more likely than men to develop autoimmune diseases. The reason for this is not entirely clear, but it may be related to genetic and hormonal differences.

Women are more prone to develop autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome. Men, on the other hand, are more susceptible to developing Crohn’s disease and ankylosing spondylitis.

10. Lung cancer

Lung cancer is one of the cancers that affect men and women differently. Men are more likely to develop lung cancer than women due to the increased exposure to carcinogens such as tobacco.

However, women tend to have longer survival times and respond better to treatment, regardless of cancer stage.

Conclusion

Diseases affect men and women differently, necessitating gender-specific healthcare. Understanding these gender differences can assist in the early detection, treatment, and prevention of illnesses.

If you are experiencing any symptoms listed above or have any concerns about your health, seek medical attention.