Sex differences in medicine: Difference between revisions
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* [[prostate cancer]] and other diseases of the male reproductive system only occur in [[men]] |
* [[prostate cancer]] and other diseases of the male reproductive system only occur in [[men]] |
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* certain genetic diseases, such as [[colour blindness]], occur more frequently in men. They are caused by [[sex-linked]], [[recessive]] genes carried on the non-homologous portion of the [[X chromosome]]. |
* certain genetic diseases, such as [[colour blindness]], occur more frequently in men. They are caused by [[sex-linked]], [[recessive]] genes carried on the non-homologous portion of the [[X chromosome]]. |
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* Men are more likely to commit [[suicide]]. |
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Women: |
Women: |
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* More women than men suffer from [[Sjögren's syndrome]], [[scleroderma]], and [[osteoporosis]] |
* More women than men suffer from [[Sjögren's syndrome]], [[scleroderma]], and [[osteoporosis]] |
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* in Western cultures, more women than men suffer from eating disorders such as [[anorexia]] and [[bulimia]] |
* in Western cultures, more women than men suffer from eating disorders such as [[anorexia]] and [[bulimia]] |
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* Women are more likely to suffer from [[clinical depression]]. |
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Revision as of 10:53, 14 February 2003
A sex-specific illness is an illness which tends to occur more frequently in individuals of a particular sex.
Sex-specific illnesses generally fall into one of three categories:
- sex-linked genetic illnesses
- diseases of parts of the reproductive system that are specific to that sex
- diseases with social causes that relate to the gender role expected of that sex in a particular society
Example of sex-specific illnesses in humans:
Men:
- prostate cancer and other diseases of the male reproductive system only occur in men
- certain genetic diseases, such as colour blindness, occur more frequently in men. They are caused by sex-linked, recessive genes carried on the non-homologous portion of the X chromosome.
- Men are more likely to commit suicide.
Women:
- 99% of breast cancer occurs in women
- ovarian cancer and other diseases of the female reproductive system only occur in women
- More women than men suffer from Sjögren's syndrome, scleroderma, and osteoporosis
- in Western cultures, more women than men suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia
- Women are more likely to suffer from clinical depression.