When it comes to health, men and women have some similarities and some differences. Both genders can get heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, for example. At the same time, some illnesses affect men and women differently.

This can be due to a variety of factors, including biological differences, lifestyle choices, and societal influences.

1. Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. However, men and women can experience heart disease differently.

Men are more likely to have a heart attack, while women are more likely to have heart disease without chest pain. Women’s symptoms can be subtler than men’s and include shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain.

2. Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake. Many autoimmune diseases affect women more often than men. For example, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis are three times more common in women.

Researchers believe hormones play a role in these gender differences, as well as environmental factors and genetics.

3. Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety disorders are more common in women than men. Women are also more likely to seek treatment for these conditions.

Men, on the other hand, may be more likely to turn to substance abuse or other risky behaviors to cope with their emotions. Societal pressures and gender roles can impact the likelihood of men seeking help for mental health issues.

4. Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak and fragile, putting people at risk of fractures. Women are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis than men due to differences in bone density and hormonal changes after menopause.

In fact, one in two women over age 50 will experience a fracture due to osteoporosis in their lifetime, compared to one in four men.

5. Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more common in women than men. The female urethra is shorter than the male urethra, making it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause can also increase the risk of UTIs in women. Men can also get UTIs, but they are less common.

6. Stroke

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. However, women are more likely to have a stroke than men, and they may experience different symptoms.

Women may have more vague symptoms, such as confusion, disorientation, and loss of consciousness, while men are more likely to experience weakness or numbness on one side of the body.

7. Auto-Immune Diseases

Researchers believe hormones play a role in these gender differences, as well as environmental factors and genetics.

8. Cancers

Cancer affects both men and women, but certain types of cancer are more common in one gender than the other. For example, breast cancer affects women almost exclusively, while prostate cancer affects men.

Endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and cervical cancer also affect women more often than men. On the other hand, lung cancer and liver cancer are more common in men than women. Hormonal differences, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures can all contribute to these gender differences.

9. Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can affect both men and women, but the impact may be different. Women are more likely to experience long-term health consequences from STIs, such as infertility and cervical cancer.

Men, on the other hand, may experience more immediate symptoms, such as discharge or painful urination. Societal attitudes toward sex and safer sex practices can also contribute to these gender differences.

10. Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition that affects movement and coordination. It is more common in men than women, but it is thought that women may experience more severe symptoms and faster progression of the disease.

Hormonal differences, genetics, and lifestyle factors may all contribute to these gender differences.