There are some diseases that women are more prone to developing as compared to men. And then there are also certain other diseases that are usually more common in men than women. The crux of the matter is that, in both these cases, both men and women can be diagnosed with the diseases. However, in this article we will talk about the 10 diseases more common in females that can also affect men.

Diseases More Common in Females That Can Also Affect Men

1. Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Women are more prone to contracting urinary tract infections because their urinary tracts are closer to the anus, also their tract is smaller compared to men. Hence, bacteria and other microbes take comparatively lesser time to travel and infect the bladder. The renal system includes the bladder, ureters, kidneys, and urethra. Bacteria first affects the lower urinary organs like bladder and ureters and cause bladder infections.

If not treated at the right time, they can spread to the upper urinary tract and cause severe complications.

Some complicated conditions are kidney stones, prostate stones, or abnormal constrictions of the urethra, etc. UTIs manifest themselves through symptoms like pain/discomfort/burning sensation during urination, constant urge to urinate, the feeling of not being able to urinate enough, etc.

Mostly common in women, UTIs in men are also possible.

2. Osteoporosis

Who said only women can develop osteoporosis? While 1 of 3 women face the risk of developing osteoporosis, 1 out of 5 men are also susceptible to the disease. Women suffer from rapid bone loss after menopause. It compromises their bone density and raises the risk of fractures. However, men too can develop it by the time they are 65 to 70 years of age. This is because they lose their bone mask as rapidly as women.

Certain medical conditions and treatments expedite the process of losing bone density. These include thyroid problems, kidney diseases, prolonged usage of steroids, vitamin D deficiency, cancer therapies, etc.

3. Rheumatoid arthritis

According to the National Institutes of Health, “Two to three times as many women get rheumatoid arthritis as men, but it’s common enough in men”.

Men with lower levels of testosterone levels have been found to be a higher risk according to a study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases in April 2013. Apart from that, smoking is another major factor behind the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

4. Breast cancer

One of the diseases more common in females is breast cancer. But it would surprise others to know that it can also occur in men.

Men tend to ignore the apparent signs of breast cancer like unusual lumps or abnormalities on the skin. Women face a greater risk of breast cancer because they have more breast tissue. Around 1 per cent of the world’s male population is prone to developing this disease, although research shows that it is on the rise.

Hence, when they get diagnosed, the cancer is most likely in its advanced stages. This implies that the cancerous tumor has mostly spread to other parts of the body, making it life-threatening. Apart from women, obese people as well as African-American population aged over 50 years are also at a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

5. Thyroid disease

Problems of the thyroid can be of two types – hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Thyroid, a small gland located in the lower part of the neck, produces hormones for controlling metabolism. Over-production of thyroid hormones leads to hyperthyroidism. In contrast, hormone production less than the required quantity is referred to as hypothyroidism.

The symptoms of hyperthyroidism are sudden loss of weight, dry and rough skin and hair, forgetfulness, and fatigue. Symptoms of hypothyroidism are weight gain, muscle weakness, irritability, and disturbed sleep. Although women are at a greater risk of developing this disease, men can also be affected by it.

6. Anxiety and Depression

Diseases are not restricted to physical illnesses. Emotional and psychological ailments are an integral part of the subject of health. Women are more prone to developing mental illnesses like anxiety and depression, although the symptoms are widely different amongst the two genders. Women tend to cry and feel sad, while men show rage, frustration, and irritation, and resort to extreme behavior, alcoholism, and drug abuse. These behavioral manifestations are unfortunately considered to be male-centric and normal. Hence, depression in men often goes unnoticed and undiagnosed.

7. Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease is a double whammy for women. Not only have studies found that their health declines faster, but their chances of developing AD are much higher than men.

Every 1 out of 2 women is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, a considerably higher number than men with the disease. Complications also occur faster in women than men. However, it has been observed that women tend to live longer than men. However, there is no conclusive data to explain why the disease is more common in women.

8. Lupus

A wide majority of people diagnosed with this autoimmune disease are women, although men can also develop it. The common symptoms of this disease are unexplained fever, weakness in muscles, inflammation and pain in the joints, swelling of legs, extreme fatigue, mouth sores, puffiness around the eyes, swollen glands, red rashes on cheeks and nose, and hair loss. Treatment is the same for both men and women.

9. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

Both men and women can be affected by HPV, human papilloma virus, which is the most common sexually transmitted disease. The disease in men can remain undiagnosed because of the lack of effective diagnostic methods and the risk of developing the disease also increases with age. On the other hand, HPV amongst women can be diagnosed through the pap smear test. HPV gradually leads to the development of cervical cancer, penile cancer amongst men, and cancer of the neck and head.

10. Heart diseases

Contrary to popular opinion, women are usually diagnosed with heart diseases more than men. The perception arises from the fact that the symptoms of heart diseases in women are not as intense as in the case of men. This makes women often overlook the pain or discomfort as a minor ailment, insufficient sleep, or overwork. Sometimes, symptoms are not experienced at all. The lack of intensity of pain in the heart occurs because the heart in women is smaller than that of their male counterparts. Other than usual symptoms of pain/discomfort in the heart, stabbing pain in the arms, back pain, nausea and vomiting, there are some additional symptoms like pain in the jaw, which are unique to women.

Though there are diseases more common in females, that doesn’t mean men are excluded.

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