When it comes to health, men and women share many common concerns. Heart health, cancer prevention and weight management are important for people of both genders. The needs of males and females also differ in important ways, with each gender having its own unique health issues. Learning about the key points of men's and women's health allows people to take necessary steps to prevent diseases specific to their gender.
Men's Health
The male hormone testosterone is at the heart of many male-specific health conditions. Prostate cancer is a major health concern for men of all ages. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men, with one in six men developing the disease at some point in life.
Low testosterone -- a deficiency of testosterone occurring later in life -- is another condition that affects men specifically. Since it regulates sex drive, sexual function and male traits like muscle strength, low testosterone can cause a variety of problems. The Hormone Foundation lists low sperm count, enlarged breasts, loss of body hair and poor erections as possible symptoms of low testosterone.
Women's Health
Many of the health conditions affecting women stem from the female hormone estrogen, which controls reproductive functions like menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Gynecologic cancers like cancer of the cervix, ovaries, vulva, vagina and uterus and can strike women at any age, though the risk is greater in older women, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
While it can affect people of both genders, breast cancer is much more common in women. Breast cancer risk also increases with age and can be influenced by family history, race and lifestyle factors like obesity and use of hormone replacement drugs.
Shared Health Concerns
Gender is only one of many factors that influences a person's overall disease risk. Many health conditions occur in people of either sex, including heart disease, obesity, sexually transmitted diseases and most cancers. Mental health disorders like depression and anxiety also occur in both men and women, though specific conditions may be more common in one gender.
Lifestyle habits like smoking, excessive alcohol use and poor diet are generally unhealthy and should be avoided by anyone wishing to protect their health.
Prevention/Solution
Regular medical screenings are vital for early detection of gender-specific diseases like prostate and gynecologic cancer. Women of childbearing age can increase their chances of survival by getting regular mammograms and Pap smears. For men, having annual prostate exams after age 50 helps detect cancer earlier for a better prognosis.
Eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly and managing stress in a healthy way are equally important for men and women. Weight management is vital for preventing obesity-related conditions like diabetes, heart disease and arthritis, which can affect people regardless of gender.
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