5 common health conditions that affect women more than men

Some health conditions affect men and women equally. Heart disease and cancer, for example, are top causes of death for both men and women. But women are more likely to be affected by certain other diseases.

This can often be traced back to sex hormones such as estrogen, says Betul Hatipoglu, MD, a diabetes and obesity expert.

Here’s a look at some conditions women are at higher risk of developing. Plus, what you can do to help prevent them.

Heart attack

Women are more likely than men to die after a heart attack. Some doctors still miss signs of a heart attack in women, Dr. Hatipoglu notes. Another reason: “Women don’t go to the emergency room as fast as men,” she says. This causes delays in care.

That may be in part because women’s heart attack symptoms aren’t always the “classic” signs that are seen in men. Plus, women’s symptoms can come and go. They can come on more slowly. As a result, it can take longer to realize it’s something more serious than, say, indigestion.

What to do: If you have any risk factors for heart disease, get treated for them. That includes:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure

Did you have gestational diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy? Make sure that you have a care plan in place after delivery.“ These conditions can linger and put women at high risk of a heart attack or stroke later on in life,” says Dr. Hatipoglu.

Know the symptoms of a heart attack. They may look different in women than in men. The most common sign is chest pain. But women also are more likely to have:

• Shortness of breath
• Nausea and vomiting
• Back or jaw pain

If you notice these symptoms, don’t wait to call 911.

Thyroid disease

Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have a thyroid problem. The thyroid is a gland in your neck. It makes thyroid hormone. This hormone controls many functions in your body, such as:

• Breathing
• Heart rate
• Weight
• Digestion
• Mood
• Energy levels

Problems can happen when the thyroid makes too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism).

It’s not clear why women are more likely to have thyroid problems. Estrogen may play a role. Thyroid issues can happen at any age. But they’re more likely to start right after you give birth or go through menopause.

What to do: Know the symptoms of thyroid disease. The main sign of hypothyroidism is feeling tired. Other symptoms include:

• Feeling cold
• Constipation
• Muscle weakness
• Weight gain
• Joint or muscle pain
• Feeling sad or depressed
• Pale, dry skin

Signs of hyperthyroidism include:

• Weight loss
• Increased hunger
• A fast heartbeat
• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Period changes

Your doctor can diagnose thyroid disease through blood tests. If your tests are normal, Dr. Hatipoglu recommends getting screened for other autoimmune diseases. Some that are common in women include:

• Lupus
• Sjögren’s syndrome
• Rheumatoid arthritis

These all may cause similar symptoms to thyroid problems.

Osteoporosis

About 80% of people who have osteoporosis are women. It’s a health problem that causes your bones to weaken.

Women are more likely to be diagnosed with this condition because they have smaller, thinner, less dense bones than men. Hormonal changes during menopause also lead to a loss of bone density.

What to do: Osteoporosis usually doesn’t have symptoms, especially in its early stages. So it’s important to stay up-to-date on screenings.

The general recommendation is to get a bone mineral density test if you’re 65 or older. You may want to get one as early as age 50 if you have risk factors. These include:

• A family history of osteoporosis
• Health conditions such as diabetes, celiac disease, or depression
• Taking certain medications, such as steroids, that can cause bone loss

Here’s how you can lower your risk of osteoporosis:

• Get enough calcium and vitamin D. Women up to age 50 need 1,000 mg of calcium a day, and those 51 or older need 1,200 mg a day. Women up to age 70 need 600 IU of vitamin D a day, and those 71 or older need 800 IU a day.
• Stay active. Do weight-bearing activities such as running, walking, and weightlifting.
• Stay away from smoking and alcohol.

Depression and anxiety

One in eight women go through depression in their lifetime. That’s twice as many as men. This is probably due to shifts in hormones (especially around your period, pregnancy, and perimenopause), as well as genetics.

Women are also more likely to have stress. And that can also lead to depression.

What to do: You don’t want to ignore depression. It’s been linked to other health conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and cancer. Let your doctor know if you have any of these symptoms for more than two weeks:

• Feeling sad or down
• Loss of interest in activities you once liked
• Low energy
• Trouble staying focused
• Trouble sleeping
• Overeating or undereating
• Thoughts of hurting yourself
• Irritability

Your doctor can refer you to a mental healthcare provider for talk therapy. They can also prescribe medicines, such as antidepressants.

Remember: As a woman, you may have a higher chance of getting these conditions. But that doesn’t mean you will get them. Knowing your risks can inspire you to take steps to lower them. And to get treatment right away if needed.