While men and women do experience some of the same health issues, they also have different concerns that they need to worry about throughout their life spans. Some of these health concerns are based on physical factors, while others are driven through gender-related social factors, from the riskiness of their occupation (more common for men) to the frequency of their sunscreen use (more common for women). Here are seven ways that women and men age differently in their twilight years:
1. Life Expectancy
Around the world, women live longer than men. In the United States, women live to be 86 on average, while men only live to be 77. This trend stays steady for a variety of factors. Men tend to take more risks, they have more dangerous jobs, they die of heart disease younger and more frequently, and they avoid doctors more often than women, just to name a few. All of this combines to help women live longer than men, one of the major differences in the aging process between the genders.
2. Hormone Changes
Hormones changes are a big part of aging, and men and women experience them differently. Women go through menopause, which occurs when they stop menstruating and their ovaries stop producing estrogen. This leads to a host of side effects — including hot flashes, night sweats, and bladder leakage — that leave women scrambling for menopause relief and bladder control products. Luckily, there is a growing availability of menopause awareness support available for women. On the other hand, men experience a decrease in testosterone that is much more gradual, falling about one percent every year after 30. They also continue to remain fertile and produce viable sperm well after women stop being able to bear children.
3. Sex
Both men and women can experience reduced libido as a result of these hormonal changes, but they also experience unique physical changes that can affect their sex lives. For women, vaginal dryness and weakened pelvic muscles can make sex less pleasurable (but vaginal lubricants and pelvic floor exercises can help). For men, erectile dysfunction can make it difficult to have sex. Thankfully, there are many effective medications available that can treat these symptoms. While they need to make some changes in the bedroom, both men and women can continue to have a healthy sex life well into old age with the proper adjustments. Both should also ensure that they undertake regular sexual health screenings, like a Chlamydia test, to help reduce their risk of disease.
4. Skin
Men’s and women’s skin is different throughout their lives, including their golden years. Men’s skin is about 25 percent thicker than women’s, and it also contains more collagen and produces more oil. (Collagen is a protein that is one of the most important building blocks of skin, and its breakdown is what contributes to visible aging.) This combination of factors means that men’s skin is less susceptible to signs of aging, including wrinkles and dryness. However, men tend to be less dedicated about wearing sunscreen and sun protection throughout their lives than women are. Since these practices slow down the signs of aging, the skin-deep differences often aren’t as noticeable between men and women as they otherwise might be.
5. Weight
Weight gain is an unfortunate side effect of aging for many older adults. Men tend to gain weight until about age 55, while women gain weight for an additional decade, until age 65. Most of this fat collects around the midsection for both men and women. Later in life, they begin to lose weight again as fat replaces lean muscle tissue (fat weighs less than muscles per the same amount of volume). Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help delay the effects of age-related weight gain in both men and women.
6. Hair Loss
Both men and women can experience age-related hair changes, but it usually presents differently. Men usually experience male pattern baldness, losing hair at the temples and the crown (or back) of the head. Women can also experience male pattern baldness, but this is rarer. Hair loss is usually distributed more evenly across their head, so it’s not as noticeable as it is for men. Some women also find that their hair becomes finer and more fragile as they age, so it needs special care to stay healthy. Hair loss is more common during and after menopause, as it is caused by dropping hormone levels.
7. Health Screenings
Age-related health screenings are needed for both men and women, and while some of them are the same, some of them are also different. The health screenings for female reproductive organs are different from those for male reproductive organs. Proper health screenings are necessary for early detection of cancer and other conditions that are vital to staying healthy into old age. If you’re not sure what screenings you should get at what age, use this tool available at MyHealthFinder.gov to discover what tests you need to get done.
Whether you are a man or woman, look out for these seven different changes as you age. Remember that no matter your gender, lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and preventative healthcare make a big difference in how you age. If you’re looking to age gracefully, talk to your doctor about what changes you can start making now that will pay off in the long run. Both men and women can have a big impact on their health by taking steps today. It’s never too late to begin to improve your health, no matter your age.