On a beautiful Easter Sunday I went to a spring picnic with a group of friends at Will Rogers State Park. With a glass of red wine in hand – and after a couple of yummy cupcakes – we ladies began to chat about food and health and everything else.
I couldn’t help but direct our conversation toward my favorite subject: “menstruation.” It may seem a little unusual to talk about this in a social setting like a picnic, but my new friends happily opened up and shared their experiences.
Several of them are in the process of going through menopause, and one lady has come out the other side. When asked about what it was like to be past menopause, she said with a big grin on her face, “I couldn’t be happier!”
Then she added, “The only downside is that after menopause I noticed my skin had lost a lot of its elasticity.” She grabbed a patch of skin on her arm and pulled it up. Yep, she was right, and she proved it to us.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but among couples of a similar age, women tend to look older than men.
So why is it that women age faster than men but live longer? Have you ever wondered about this? Here are some of my thoughts:
Estrogen is what keeps our skin supple, breasts perky and muscles toned.
According to the Yellow Emperor’s Classic – the bible of Chinese Medicine – a woman’s sexual essence peaks at 28, declines beginning at 35, and reaches exhaustion at 49 (menopause).
Men, on the other hand, follow a different life cycle. Their essence peaks at 32, begins declining at 40, and won’t reach exhaustion until 64. Read more…
The difference in the development, growth and reproductive cycles explains why women age faster. They’re almost 15 years apart (49 versus 64)!
But why is it that women live longer (with a life expectancy of 66-81 years for men and 74-86 years for women)?
1.Women menstruate every month.
When we release our menstrual blood every month, we also release the unwanted toxins from our body. No wonder so many women report that they feel relieved, cleansed and renewed after their periods.
2. Women are emotional.
To appear tough and strong, men are trained to keep their feelings and emotions to themselves. Women, on the other hand, are much more in tune with their emotions and are more likely to express them openly. So don’t let anyone to tell you that you should keep your feelings to yourself. Expressing them (hopefully constructively) helps us live longer, believe it or not.
3. Women like to talk.
We find solutions to life’s challenges by talking things through. Men, on the other hand, like to go to their cave and sort things out all by themselves. Talking is a wonderful way for women to relieve stress and let go of the day. At dinner my boyfriend has to listen to every single event of my day, whether he likes it or not J. I’m very grateful for his ears…
If you think that your monthly menstrual cycles, emotional ups and downs and talkative nature are weaknesses, think twice. They may be really good things that keep you healthy – and help you to live longer.
What are your thoughts on this subject?
Please leave a comment and share with us.
Sasha says
April 26, 2015 at 10:52 pmThanks for finally writing about >Why Women Age Faster But Live Longer Than Men
anyaland2000 says
January 9, 2013 at 9:04 pmIncluding all the medical terminology that was mentioned here, I believe that our inner light develops our outer look including the way we age. I know few woman with gray hair and baby wrinkle-free faces. They live around nature all their lives and practice spiritual growth. The style of life is the key to the ageless look.
Jingtastic says
January 17, 2013 at 4:34 pmYou’re right Anna! I just saw a 80 year old Chinese medicine doctor. She looks radiant and vibrant. I feel inspired by her! Everything is possible!
Vild says
November 23, 2012 at 5:18 amI agree with Cara – in fact, my partner is 12 years my junior and people think we’re the same age… I think how we age depends on a combination of genetics, how we live and how we think. I think something remarkable has happened in the West in the last three or four generations – when I look at photos of my great grandmother and grandmother, they were already old women at what we now consider a young age. My mother is still very young, though she’s in her 60’s, and I, at 38 am a spring chicken.
Our lives have changed in these few generations, how we use our bodies, our minds, how we fulfil ourselves, what is within our reach and what isn’t has also changed. Perhaps, if people are growing old at different rates, it might be connected with how we have adapted to this new way of living – and the extent to which we are able to chose and direct our own lives. For my part, I intend to grow old disgracefully, with as much fun and games as possible 🙂
Jingtastic says
November 24, 2012 at 10:40 amVild, thanks for sharing your insightful perspectives. I agree with you and Cara that everyone ages at a different rate depending on her genetics, her environment, and her lifestyles. It’s a generalization to say that women age faster than men.
I myself feel like a spring chicken, and I too intend to age beautifully and gracefully. In fact, I intend to become an ageless woman – one of those you can never guess how old she is 🙂
Cara says
April 21, 2012 at 9:23 amI usually agree with Cycle Harmony’s articles, but not this one. While it is true and can be proven that women live longer than men, saying women age faster is more subjective. I don’t think we should be perpetuating the idea that womena age faster. It is true that women’s reproductive years are limited, but men’s are as well. As testosterone declines, so does sperm quality, so while men practically speaking DO produce sperm, it does not always mean the sperm is viable. Also, I don’t believe that physically women age faster. I see men as young as their 20’s with the very deep wrinkles that women don’t seem to get. I’m married and my husband and I are the same age, but most think I am several years younger. I can recognize most of the female friends from high school, the men seem to look so much older. As far as Chinese medicine, there could be male biases, just as there are biases in American medicine.
Jing says
April 21, 2012 at 12:03 pmGreat response Cara! Very well thought out. I love it and greatly appreciate your perspective! Thank you!!