Got a minute? Tell wOw what you think.

Post | 06/13/2008 11:52 am

Could Our Periods Be the Reason We Outlive Men?

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
© iStock

Everyone knows there is a big difference between the life expectancy of women versus men. Statistics show women live about four to five years longer than those of the opposite sex.

A researcher from the Netherlands suggests that you can chalk it all up to our menstrual cycle during the key years of our lives.

According to his research, the hormone endogenous estradiol, which is released during the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy, "provokes marked cardiovascular changes." It increases the cardiac output to a degree that mimics the effect of cardio exercise.

In other words, this researcher says having a period year in and year out, over time, creates a stronger heart — and that may be one reason why women across the globe typically outlive their male mates.




Read more about: Health
You might also like:

8 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

mary lou s

i have a simpler answer dependent on my readings in how bodies work. the menstrual cycle sloughs off toxins from the body. the closest men get to that is ejaculation. we may not enjoy menstruation as much as they enjoy ejaculation, but it helps our health immensely.

By mary lou s on 06/14/2008 1:56 am
Frannie Em

Years ago I got an email titled Why women live longer and it showed men doing the stupidest things. Standing on a metal ladder in a swimming pool trying to fix an overhead light. Did you know that more men are bit by rattlesnakes then women? Among that group, men drunk and with tattoos on their arms, being the target the snake strikes at. Now, having lived with mantribe for these 27 years, I can tell you with great authority that men are a breed unto themselves about taking stupid risks. I love ‘em. They are pretty amazing, but sometimes the common sense gene is just turned off.

By Frannie Em on 06/14/2008 5:30 pm
Brooklyn Gal

Frannie,
And here I thought it was only their lack of ability to ask for directions. Thanks for pointing out other factors.

By Brooklyn Gal on 06/14/2008 6:22 pm
Elizabeth Bennett

I think there may be a simpler answer. Whenever I go to the HMO, two thirds of the people there are female, getting annual checkups, etc. Men very often resist going to a doctor until they are practically incapacitated. I have known many men who did not think it was necessary to get regular checkups. Perhaps because we feel responsible for the next generation, we tend to take care of ourselves as well by getting booster shots, cholesterol tests, etc. Maybe this is an example of the common sense gene being turned off in men.

Also, a hundred and fifty years ago, women’s life expectancy was more chancy as death in childbirth was not uncommon. So it may be that nature balanced this out by letting those who survived childbirth live long enough to raise other women’s children.

By Elizabeth Bennett on 06/14/2008 6:23 pm
Brooklyn Gal

One of the things reported yesterday about Russet was the fact that someone said he did not look well. I know many stories were people, men especially, are told this but put off seeing the doctor. My principal was not looking well on Friday. He had had a history of heart problems, but decided he would not miss his sailing weekend. He loved sailing and had the heart attack right on the boat.

btw, I looked under “Health” for this post and found it, yet Fawcett’s cancer story is not under that category.

By Brooklyn Gal on 06/14/2008 6:32 pm
mary lou s

the only reliable tool i have on this site for checking back to follow up my posts is the clicking on the avatar.

By mary lou s on 06/15/2008 3:26 pm
Brooklyn Gal

Mary Lou,
You are so right. That’s the only way I can find this and the Fawcet story.

By Brooklyn Gal on 06/15/2008 3:39 pm
Brooklyn Gal

Meant to write “Fawcett.”

By Brooklyn Gal on 06/15/2008 5:11 pm