Being a woman has always created a social stigma of being the weaker sex. However, little do people know that due to the powerful protective benefits of the female hormones and lifestyle choices women opt to make, they are deemed healthier, have longer longevity and less prone to many illnesses.
In fact, according to Dr. Leonard Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, men pay less attention to their health because of their 'macho' approach. Hence, they seldom go to the doctor to have a check-up.
Being a woman has many health benefits. Below are eight surprising health advantages women have over men.
1. Longevity
Women live longer than men. When it comes to longevity, women blow more birthday candles than men. Data from the National Center for Health Statistic shows that women who were born in 2012 expect to live until they are 81.2 years old while men would live only until 76.4.
Experts are not exactly sure what made the four-year difference but according to Dr. Nieca Goldberg, medical director of the women's heart program at the Joan H. Tisch Center for Women's Health at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, "It might have to do with the fact that women have lower rates of heart disease compared to men, though women are catching up. But it may be a result of women maintaining stronger social ties to friends and family, because social ties are linked to longevity."
2. Pain Tolerance
Women have higher pain tolerance. When it comes to pain, believe it or not, men are weaker. As a matter of fact, many studies can attest to this claim. According to Dr Goldberg, "Women have to be able to sustain the agony during labor and delivery." Hence, they can tolerate more pain than men.
3. Head and Neck Cancer
Apparently, men are more prone to head and neck cancer than women. Based on the latest statistics from the National Cancer Society, 30,000 men will be diagnosed with oral cavity or pharynx cancer this year, while only 12,000 women will. Other cancers like esophageal cancer are estimated to affect about 14,000 men this year compared to only 3,000 women.
Experts say that the cause of this is tobacco and alcohol use. Although women are already starting to drink and smoke, still, men are more indulged in these vices.
4. Skin cancer
Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is less in older women than in men. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, before age 45, melanoma is higher in women because of tanning practices. However, in their 50s and 60s, white men have higher rates of the deadly cancer. This is due to accumulated skin damage over decades of exposure to the sun through working outside and engaging in outdoor sports. Also, women tend to use sunscreens and other protective devices against the sun while most men, do not use them.
5. Sense of Smell
Women have better sense of smell than men. Women have sharper odor detection for up to 50% more olfactory cells. Recent study suggests that women are more superior in terms of the sense of smell. One theory suggests that women's sense of smell can detect the pheromones that aid in women to be able to pick the right partner and help them protect her offspring from disease.
6. Women have more good cholesterol
High density lipoproteins (HDL) which is considered the good cholesterol are higher in women than in men. This helps in preventing plaque build-up inside arteries. Hence, women are less prone to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. This is because of a female hormone called estrogen which increases the level of HDL throughout the childbearing years of women.
7. Stronger recall
Women's brains are better in remembering things. In fact, a recent study shows that men have more memory lapses and issues. Some say that this is because of cognitive degeneration caused by hypertension and cardiovascular disease that are more common in men.
8. Less Belly Fat
Women are less likely to form belly fat. Women tend to have more fat on the butt, hips and thighs but less on the stomach area. This is good news because they are at lesser risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other illnesses. Men, however, tend to gain extra pounds in their midsection making them more prone to cardiovascular diseases.
