The way men and women age has always been a fascinating topic. Recent studies have shown significant differences between males and females concerning longevity and how they respond to several treatments. This is known as the gender paradox of ageing. Through this article, let us unveil the secrets of this paradox and discover who the longevity winner is.
Table Of Contents
- The Gender Disparity in Longevity
- Reasons why women win the longevity race
- Exploring why men respond better than women to specific medication and ageing treatment
- Implications for Healthcare
- References
The Gender Disparity in Longevity
It is widely known that women usually have a longer lifespan than men, no matter where they live or when they are born. This gender gap in longevity has been observed across different countries and historical periods. However, it’s important to note that ageing isn’t solely determined by lifespan. Various factors such as biology, genetics, lifestyle, and environment can impact individuals differently. While some research indicates that men may age faster in certain aspects, such as cognitive decline or susceptibility to specific age-related diseases, the ageing process is complex. It can vary among individuals regardless of gender. The fact that women tend to live longer than men raises intriguing questions about the underlying biological mechanisms contributing to this survival advantage. (Huegg & Jylh, 2020)
On the other hand, according to studies, men may live less. Still, they have some health advantages in specific situations, such as better response to anti-ageing treatments. This indicates that females benefit more from enhancing longevity through specific biological pathways. At the same time, males may respond better to particular medications. These findings emphasise the complexity of how sex hormones, metabolic factors, and immune function interact in shaping responses to anti-ageing treatments. (Regan & Partridge, 2013)
Reasons why women win the longevity race
Women tend to live longer than men for various reasons, including biological, behavioural, and social factors. Some key reasons why women have a survival advantage over men in terms of longevity include:
- Women tend to have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases at a young age compared to men. This is one of the reasons why women have a longer life expectancy than men. Estrogen, a hormone at higher levels in women, may have protective effects on the cardiovascular system.(Austad & Bartke, 2014)
- Women tend to have stronger immune responses than men, which may contribute to their ability to fight infections and diseases more effectively, leading to better overall health and longevity.(Austad & Bartke, 2015)
- Lifestyle choices can positively impact women’s longevity due to healthier behaviours such as lower smoking and alcohol rates, better diet, and higher healthcare utilisation. (Austad, n.d)
- Risky behaviours such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and dangerous activities are more common among men, which can increase their risk of premature death and contribute to their shorter life expectancy. (Ostan et al., 2016)
- Women are more likely to seek help and support from their social networks during health challenges, which can promote better well-being and longevity.(Austad & Fischer, 2016)
- Hormonal differences between men and women, including estrogen and testosterone levels, can affect health and ageing, potentially contributing to differences in longevity between the sexes. (Austad, n.d)
Exploring why men respond better than women to specific medication and ageing treatment
Men may respond differently than women to anti-ageing treatments and medications due to a combination of biological, hormonal, and genetic factors. Some reasons why men may exhibit better responses to specific anti-ageing interventions include:
- Men and women have different hormonal profiles. Testosterone is a vital hormone in men’s physiology essential in maintaining muscle mass, bone density, and overall vitality. This may contribute to more robust responses to specific anti-ageing treatments. (Hägg & Jylhävä, 2021)
- Men typically have higher metabolic rates and lean muscle mass than women, which can influence how their bodies respond to interventions to improve metabolism and overall health.(Regan & Partridge, 2013)
- Genetic variations can cause differing responses to medications and treatments between men and women. Variations in genes related to drug metabolism, hormone receptors, and cellular pathways may contribute to sex-specific responses to anti-ageing interventions. (Ostan et al., 2016)
- Inflammatory responses may differ between men and women, with men exhibiting higher levels of inflammation. Therefore, anti-ageing treatments targeting inflammation or immune function may have varying effects based on sex-specific inflammatory profiles. (Regan & Partridge, 2013)
- Differences in body composition, such as the distribution of body fat and muscle mass, can affect how people react to interventions that aim to manage weight, increase muscle strength, and improve overall physical function. Men typically have higher muscle mass and lower body fat percentages, which may influence their response to anti-ageing treatments.(Hägg & Jylhävä, 2021)
- Sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone in women and testosterone in men, are essential for several physiological processes, including metabolism, bone health, and cognitive function. The interaction between sex hormones and anti-ageing interventions may result in sex-specific responses based on hormonal profiles.(Cheng & Nelson, 2018)
It’s worth noting that even though men may have better responses to specific anti-ageing treatments, everyone’s different. Your response to these treatments can vary depending on your genetics, lifestyle, and overall health. To make sure the anti-ageing treatment you get is proper for you, we need to understand how hormones, biological factors, and genetics all interact. We still need to do more research to determine why men and women respond differently to anti-ageing treatments so we can develop personalised approaches to help everyone stay healthy and live longer.
Implications for Healthcare
The findings from examining differences between men and women in the ageing process have significant ramifications for healthcare and policy.
To begin with, healthcare professionals should apply medicine more personally. The healthcare protocols should include tailored treatments based on sex-specific responses and individualised care plans that consider certain biological factors. By acknowledging health disparities and creating interventions that align with the distinct biological features of each gender, healthcare providers can deliver more precise and personalised care. In addition, incorporating gender-specific aspects in healthcare policies can result in more fair and inclusive procedures that advantage individuals of all genders.
To ensure that medical research is inclusive and effective, involving individuals of both sexes in clinical trials and studies is imperative. Furthermore, healthcare policies should take into account the unique health needs and challenges faced by each gender and aim to address any disparities that exist. For instance, women are more likely to experience certain health conditions, such as autoimmune diseases and mental health disorders. At the same time, men are more prone to heart disease and certain types of cancer. By understanding and addressing these differences, healthcare providers can work towards providing more targeted and effective care to individuals of all genders.
Sex-specific patient education and awareness are crucial aspects of healthcare. It involves providing patients with comprehensive information on how their gender and sex affect their health and well-being, as well as how treatments and therapies may impact them differently based on their biological makeup. This type of education can empower patients with knowledge and enable them to make informed decisions about their healthcare.
In particular, sex-specific patient education should focus on providing patients with information about sex-specific responses to treatments. This can include information about how different medications or therapies may affect men and women differently and how sex-specific differences in anatomy and physiology may impact treatment outcomes. By providing this information, patients can better understand how their treatment plan may affect their health and make more informed decisions about their care.
The gender paradox of ageing reveals that men and women experience ageing differently due to a mix of biological, behavioural, and social factors. Although women generally live longer than men, men may respond better to specific anti-ageing interventions. These findings emphasise the importance of considering sex differences when researching ageing and developing interventions for healthy ageing. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and develop personalised interventions that can help individuals live longer and healthier lives. It is essential to prioritise health, make wise lifestyle choices, and seek medical advice when necessary. Patient education should inform patients about the benefits and risks of different treatment options, empowering them to make knowledgeable decisions about their healthcare and promoting positive health outcomes and quality of life.
References
Austad, S N. (n.d). Why women live longer than men: sex differences in longevity.. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550857906801981
Austad, S N., & Bartke, A. (2014, November 24). Sex Differences in Longevity and in Responses to Anti-Aging Interventions: A Mini-Review. https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/381472
Austad, S N., & Bartke, A. (2015, May 6). Sex Differences in Longevity and in Responses to Anti-Aging Interventions: A Mini-Review. https://doi.org/10.1159/000381472
Austad, S N., & Fischer, K E. (2016, June 6). Sex Differences in Lifespan. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4932837/
Cheng, C., & Nelson, J F. (2018, December 1). Physiological basis for sex-specific differences in longevity. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cophys.2018.04.003
Hegg, S., & Jylh J. (2020, July 28). Sex differences in biological ageing with a focus on human studies.
Hägg, S., & Jylhävä, J. (2021, May 13). Sex differences in biological aging with a focus on human studies. https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.63425