Women are strong and resilient but also more susceptible to certain diseases than men. This is due to various factors, including hormones, body composition, and organ placement. Keep reading to learn more about five reasons women are more susceptible to diseases.
Hormones
One of the main reasons women are more susceptible to diseases is because of their hormones. Fluctuations in hormone levels can also lead to mood swings and depression, further increasing a woman’s susceptibility to infection.
Estrogen is also one of the main reasons why women are more likely to develop autoimmune diseases. It’s because estrogen affects the way the immune system functions. Here are some common diseases in women because of their hormones.
Tooth Loss
Too much estrogen in the body can lead to severe tooth loss among women. This is because estrogen can lead to inflammation of the gums. Thankfully, there are ways to deal with tooth loss, especially among aging women. The first option is through dental implants. These implants are made of titanium, and they are placed into the jawbone to act as a replacement for the natural tooth root. The second option is through dentures. Dentures are false teeth that are custom-made to fit your mouth. However, they can be pretty uncomfortable when compared to implants.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become weak and brittle. This disease is more common in women than men because women have less bone mass than men. Additionally, this disease can be caused by a lack of calcium in the diet and hormones, which can be caused by estrogen production. There are several treatments for osteoporosis, including medication, lifestyle changes, and surgery.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States. This is because heart disease can be caused by several factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. All of these conditions are more common in women than men. In addition, heart disease can also be caused by stress and anxiety, which are more common in women than men.
Body Composition
Women’s body composition is one of the main reasons they are more susceptible to diseases. Women generally have less muscle mass and a higher percentage of body fat than men. This higher body fat percentage can lead to increased inflammation, which is linked to conditions like heart disease and arthritis. Additionally, this extra weight can also put additional strain on the joints, leading to joint pain and mobility issues.
Organ Placement
Another factor that makes women more susceptible to disease is the placement of their organs. For example, the uterus sits directly next to the bladder, which means that diseases of the uterus can quickly spread to the bladder. Additionally, the ovaries are located near many major blood vessels, which means that diseases of the ovaries can quickly spread throughout the body. Lastly, the opening of the vagina is located very close to the anus, which increases the risk of infection.
Autoimmune Conditions
Women are also more likely than men to suffer from autoimmune conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. These conditions occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the body. It’s unclear why women are more likely to suffer from these conditions, but it’s thought that hormones may play a role. In addition, these conditions can further increase women’s susceptibility to other diseases and infections.
Mental Health Problems
Lastly, women are more likely than men to experience psychological and physiological stress. Psychological stress can come from work, family life, and social obligations. Physiological stress can come from illness or injury. Both types of stress can take a toll on the body and make women more susceptible to disease by weakening the immune system.
Additionally, increased hormone production and stress can lead to several mental health problems. Here are some of the most common mental health problems for women:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Eating disorders
- PTSD
- Bipolar disorder
These mental health problems can also further increase the risk of physical illnesses. For example, women with depression are more likely to suffer from heart disease, osteoporosis, and autoimmune conditions. Women with anxiety disorders are more likely to suffer from chronic pain, migraines, and gastrointestinal problems. And women with eating disorders are more likely to suffer from malnutrition, which can lead to other health problems.
Though many factors contribute to why women are more susceptible to diseases—hormones, body composition, organ placement—the good news is that there are steps that can be taken to reduce your risk. Eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and managing stress levels can all help reduce your susceptibility to disease.
