3 Things You Didn't Know about Women's Health

Our health is an important concern for all people, but did you know that there are 
various things we have to look at based on our gender? Men and women are not 
created equally from a biological standpoint, so learning the differences between the 
genders and knowing how to keep healthy is essential. Below are some things you may 
not have known about women’s health.

Don’t Forget Your Heart!

While women tend to focus more on cancer (especially breast cancer), there is actually 
a higher chance of death from heart disease. One out of every three deaths is because 
of heart disease, while breast cancer is one in every 31 American women. It is also 
important to note that signs of a heart attack differ between men and women. 

Women are more likely to experience a shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, and 
back or jaw pain before a heart attack. Other signs that women might be experiencing a 
heart attack is dizziness, lightheaded or fainting, and pain in the lower chest or upper 
abdomen. Understanding the signs of heart issues is half the battle, and the early you 
catch these, the earlier you can treat it.

Your Immune System

Ever wonder why it seems like men suffer from illnesses seemingly worse than women 
do? That is all thanks to female immunes systems generally being better. Studies have 
begun to find that women have stronger immune systems than men do. There are 
several theories as to why this is, but research is still ongoing. Research shows that 
women respond better to vaccines, and are less likely to suffer from bacterial, viral, 
fungal and other types of infections. 

Women are also more likely to survive injury and trauma. Research suggests some of 
this has to do with the amount of testosterone in a female’s system, as the more 
testosterone, the lower the antibody response. Other researchers are looking at the 
genetic aspect of it as well. That little bit extra women have on their sex chromosomes 
might have something to do with better immune system responses.

Greater Flexibility

Women have been found to have better flexibility, and have more muscle endurance. 
This is partly due to what women’s bodies are expected to go through: pregnancy. 
Women have more elastin in their muscles and tendons. Elastin is a protein that allows 
females to stretch and grant greater flexibility. More than that, because women have to 
accommodate a person growing inside them for nine months, their spine flexibility is 
also greater, specifically having the curve of the lower spine span across three 
vertebrae instead of the two vertebrae in men.

Our bodies are great, regardless of gender. Women have interesting differences from 
men biologically, but both genders can do amazing physical feats and require different 
care for the body.

