These Diseases Affect Women Differently Than Men

Gender is a very important concept in civilized societies as well as in terms of health. Considering the continuation of the human species, it is impossible not to unite in the view that women's health can affect the general public health relatively more seriously. Medical conditions could be specific to men or women. However, it is also observed that women are more affected by the health problems that both men and women face jointly. For example, when faced with a problem such as infertility, although the problem belongs to the man, women are more affected by this situation considering the treatment methods. Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar said that in addition to the fact that women and men have different reproductive organs and hormones, pregnancy has an impact on women's health.

Yeditepe University Hospitals Gynecology and Obstetrics, IVF Specialist Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar stated that the data obtained as the research on women and men biology results will provide significant gains in treatment approaches, and explained which health problems affect women more on "Women's Day".

"Osteoporosis Is More Common in Women Than Men"

Being a woman is one of the leading risk factors for osteoporosis. Stating that the main reason for this is that the bone mass density of women is lower than that of men, Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar continued as follows: "Moreover, the decrease in estrogen hormone production in the ovaries with menopause causes bone loss. Therefore, all of this puts women in a riskier group in terms of osteoporosis. In young women, premature ovarian insufficiency or premature menopause can also cause bone loss to begin at a younger age. One of the biggest problems with menopause is the increase in cardiovascular disease in women."

Heart Attack Symptoms May Be Different in Women

Heart disease ranks first in human deaths. For all genders, chest pain is one of the most common symptoms. However, Yeditepe University Hospitals Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar reminded that the research shows that women's heart attack symptoms manifest in different ways: "In a multicenter study conducted in 2003, it shows that approximately 80% of those who had a heart attack experienced at least one symptom for more than a month before the crisis occurred. Apart from this, sleep disorders, extreme fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, anxiety disorder, and pain in the back and shoulder area are also among the symptoms of a heart attack in women. It is known that after menopause, the risk of heart attack increases due to the decrease in estrogen hormone levels. In this period, severe chest pain, pain spreading to one or both arms, fast or uneven heartbeat, pain or discomfort in the stomach, and sweating are among the symptoms of a heart attack in women. The important thing is to be aware of these complaints and to reach the doctor as soon as possible."

"Women Are Twice As At Risk of Depression Than Men"

Stating that studies reveal that women experience more depression than men, Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar said, "According to the World Health Organization, gender is an important determinant in mental health. Hormonal factors are believed to be involved in the tensions and depressive disorders women experience during their menstrual periods. We know that chronic pain, especially due to endometriosis (chocolate cyst) in women, can also be seen with depression and sleep disorders. However, it seems that men are also less likely to accept the mood change they experience and receive treatment."

Urinary Tract Infections Happen More Often in Women

Urinary tract infections are significantly more common in women than in men. Research shows that approximately 40% of women have a urinary tract infection at some point in their lives, while in men the rate is around. Stating that the main reason for this is female anatomy, Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar "Since the female urethral opening is close to the anus, the passage of bacteria from the anus to the urethra may be easier. In addition, some studies show that urinary tract infections increase in women after menopause due to lower estrogen levels."

Women Are More Prone to Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is a problem manifested by joint pain, stiffness, and edema in the joints. This problem, which affects millions of people, affects women more than men. Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist at Yeditepe University Hospital, said: "Research shows that women between the ages of 50-60 develop about 3.5 times more hand osteoarthritis than men in the same age group. The likelihood of developing knee osteoarthritis is 40% higher in women than in men, while the likelihood of developing hip osteoarthritis is also higher in women than in men. The reasons for this change include changes in hormone levels, differences in the musculoskeletal system, and a higher tendency for women to gain weight."

Women Have More Strokes Than Men

Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar reminded us that although both genders are at risk in terms of cardiovascular diseases, there is a difference between genders in terms of stroke risk, he provided the following information on the subject: "High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and family history are listed as risk factors for both women and men. However, pregnancy and puerperium are among the risk factors specific to women in terms of migraine or headache frequency and stroke. Contrary to popular belief, birth control pills cause a relative decrease in stroke rates in the general population since they cause less vascular occlusion compared to pregnancy and puerperium. On the other hand, women taking birth control pills have a lower rate of ovarian, uterine, and bowel cancers."

Menopause and After Menopause is a Period when Serious Health Problems Occur More Frequently in Women

Indicating that the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, which significantly affects female life and quality of life during menopause, will increase, Prof. Dr. Erkut Attar pointed out the following points on the subject: "One of the most serious problems it poses is bone loss. Bone losses that can be seen with menopause can cause premature aging of the woman, and bone fractures that occur especially due to home accidents in advanced ages play a significant role in the quality and duration of life. Organ sagging that may occur during menopause and complaints such as pelvic pain, problems in sexuality, and urinary incontinence generally decrease the woman's self-confidence."