15. The Hormonal Influence: Understanding the Gender Gap
Did you know that chronic gastritis manifests differently between men and women? Often overlooked, this gender-specific trait in the diagnosis and management of chronic gastritis warrants attention. Hormones such as estrogen and testosterone play a role that’s more significant than previously thought.
Women, particularly those going through hormonal changes like pregnancy or menopause, may experience fluctuating gastritis symptoms. Hormones can affect gastric acid production, making an already sensitive situation even more complicated. Moreover, women tend to experience gastrointestinal symptoms differently and often more severely than men.
Men aren’t exempt from the hormonal influence. Testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, may have anti-inflammatory properties, but the jury is still out on how significantly it impacts chronic gastritis. A link between lower testosterone levels and increased inflammation has been suggested, although research is still in the preliminary stages. (15)
