The differences in Aging between men and Women can be very apparent throughout the years, but as we pass the age of 65, the signs and causes of getting older increase significantly. Men and women are uniquely different in the factors of aging and these factors can be categorized into 2 different, yet interconnected areas. As we move to discuss each area, take a look and see which areas you may feel you need improvement or are aging well in.

Brain Aging

Gender plays a major role in cognitive aging throughout the life of a human. While becoming older is often associated with light memory loss or Mental impairment, studies have found that certain factors can cause increased mental aging for each gender. For men, the physical factors of being overweight, having a stroke and being diagnosed as a diabetic each can impair the brain and cause significant and quick mental deterioration.

In women, the factors are less physical and more socially inclined. Poorer health overall or a disability can contribute to lower brain health but other factors include lacking in a strong network of social relationships, being dependant on others and suffering from insomnia. In fact, women who depend on others to perform daily tasks for them have an increased change of dementia 3.5 times more than those who are socially independent.

Depression is a key factor in mental aging in both men and women. In fact, women sufferers of depression are twice as likely to progress mentally from slight aging mental impairment to full on dementia.

No matter your gender, these statistics all show that by improving the areas of life revolving around good social relationships, healthy weight, and mental health, you can slow down the brain aging that occurs over the years.

Life Expectancy

In nearly every country across the globe, it is known that women tend to outlive men by an amount of 3-5 years. In the past, this was thought to be because men lived riskier lives but recent scientific studies have shown that it may actually be due to a hormone produced by women when menstruating. This hormone, called “Estradiol,” is known to increase the cardio actions of the heart and can actually make the heart strong and result in longevity.

Other reasons that men and women may experience a different form of aging through life expectancy is that women are more socially engaged in the sense that they will go to a doctor and receive regular checks ups, whereas men are commonly known to hesitate on scheduling yearly checkups.

Men & Women Aging Differently

Other areas the men and women can age differently are in the categories of sex and emotional health but mental health and hormonal health are truly the key categories in the different ways that men and women age from each other.

Written by Amy Trenton