Cause 3: Gender – The Biological Divider
While Polycythemia Vera (PV) does not discriminate and can affect anyone, research indicates a slight gender disparity. It appears that males are somewhat more likely to develop PV than females. This discrepancy poses the question: How does gender, a core aspect of our biology, influence the risk of PV?
Let’s first establish the fact that males are slightly more prone to PV. Studies have shown that men tend to get diagnosed with this blood disorder more frequently than women. The reasons behind this pattern, however, are not as clear-cut and warrant further investigation.
One potential explanation could lie in the hormonal differences between men and women. Hormones are crucial regulators of various body processes, including blood production. It’s plausible that male hormones or androgens could influence the rate of red blood cell production, thereby contributing to the development of PV.
Moreover, men’s susceptibility to PV could be tied to lifestyle factors associated with gender. For example, men have been historically more likely to smoke and consume alcohol – habits known to impact general health and potentially influence PV risk. (3)
