5 reasons why Men age differently than Women

It’s a scientific fact. Men really do age differently than women and aging for guys can be a totally different experience than it is for gals. Physical differences like hormones and body type play a part but attitude also has an important role. Here are five reasons why men seem to age more gracefully than women–and five tips to help up you stay ahead in the aging game.

Upbringing Counts

How we are raised has a huge impact on how we age. According to the World Health Organization,[1] factors like poverty and lack of access to education or health care can determine how long or how well a person lives.  Unfortunately, these circumstances impact women more than men.   In addition, aging is also highly influenced by our personal habits, such as smoking or drinking too much alcohol.

Tip: Take more control of aging by eating healthy food and leading a wellness lifestyle. Smoking plays havoc on skin and eating too much sugar and processed food is shown to have a negative impact on your health.

His Hormone Advantage

For women, menopause–when the ovaries stop producing estrogen–usually happens around age 50. This change can be sudden and symptoms like hot flashes, fatigue and vaginal dryness can be challenging.  Men’s testosterone levels start falling gradually after age 30 but the symptoms are more gradual and men can father children when they are old.

Tip: Menopause is no reason to give up on life. You’ll look and feel better if you eat healthy food, avoid weight gain and exercise regularly.

Sex Matters

In this selfie-obsessed, celebrity-driven age, it’s easy to forget that aging isn’t just about how we look. It’s also about enjoying life and that includes (ahem) sex. An article on WebMD[2] points out that men have stronger sex drives than woman while a woman’s sexual desire is sensitive to “…environment and context.” The conclusion: If you need to be in the perfect setting before you have sex, you’ll probably have less of it. And that can make you seem older and less interested in your relationship than your male partner.

Tip: Instead of worrying if your partner could be attracted to someone younger, lighten up and go for it (sex, that is!). The kind of lingerie you wear is far less important than being open to more spontaneous sex–and honest about what makes it magic for you.

It Pays to be Thick Skinned

Life can be unfair. Women have more pressure to look young but a man’s skin is less susceptible to the signs of aging.  The handy hormone testosterone makes male skin approximately 25 percent thicker and there is more collagen density.[3] Furthermore, a guy’s skin ages more gradually.

Tip: Level the skin playing field by always using a good sunscreen and investing in professional skin care.

Just Born That Way

Men and women gain weight differently and men have more muscle due to the testosterone hormone.  In addition, women are by nature curvier but it’s important that curves don’t turn into excess fat.

Tip: Lift weights and build shapely muscle. If you’re concerned about pumping up too much, work with an experienced fitness expert to find the best combo for you.

[1] World Health Organization, “Gender, equality and human rights,” March 2018.
[2] WebMD, Sex Drive: How Do Men and Women Compare?” Richard Sine, Web Archives
[3] Huffington Post, “5 Ways Men And Women Age Differently, Yagana Shah, December 2017