Besides the physical differences between men and women, there are also differences in the internal constitution of their bodies. Women have a number of unique things to deal with such as monthly periods, childbirth and menopause. Hormones can create havoc and how! It makes them age differently. Here are 8 ways you didn’t know how women age differently.
1. Life expectancy: Women usually have a higher life expectancy than men. Research suggests that this is due to the way men handle stress and take care of their health. According to The World Health Organization (WHO), on an average, women outlive men.
2. Hormones: Hormonal changes happen in both men and women, but it’s more visible in women and sometimes even problematic. From puberty to menopausal syndrome and menopause, women have to go through it all. But after the age of 50, our bodies stop producing estrogen. Menopause brings with it symptoms like hot flushes, vaginal dryness and fatigue.
3. Lower libido: With age women tend to lose their libido especially after menopause as their bodies stop producing estrogen, which lowers their sexual desires.
4. Skin: With all anti-ageing creams, retinoid and moisturizers, a woman’s skin tends to age sooner than men. Since women have a more delicate and sensitive skin, which is susceptible to signs of ageing. Some studies also suggest that testosterone, a male hormone, actually helps thicken their skin and stay youthful. But both men and women lose collagen after the age of 30, but menopause quickens it for women.
5. Weight: Men and women’s bodies differ in the way they gain weight. Men usually tend to gain weight till their 50s, but women on the other hand gain weight till they reach the age of 65, if not taken care.
6. Hair loss: While hair loss is common, losing strands with age depends on your genetics and hormones. But baldness is known to affect more men than women. Most men tend to lose hair by the age of 50 while women tend to take better care of their locks. Women, on the other hand, generally experience thinning of hair than baldness.
7. Cognitive changes: Men and women think differently and as they age they are exposed to different diseases of potential brain damage and impairment. Women are known to be at a higher risk of dementia and depression.
8. General health: A woman’s body goes through various chemical changes in a lifetime, which affects different physical aspects of her health. Men are likely to suffer serious heart conditions, while women are prone to conditions like osteoporosis and arthritis.
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