There are pronounced gender differences relating to health and ageing, reflecting biological and social differences and transitions and adaption to these. The most obvious biological difference is that women have a finite length of reproductive functioning, the termination of which is marked by menopause. The menopausal life is characterised by increased cardiovascular and osteoporotic risk. Interventions for these disorders have not been adequately evaluated. Men live on average about seven years less than women in most developed countries.
Women form the majority of carers.
The most common cost of caring is social, a restriction in personal and leisure time, and is directly related to the amount of care provided. The negative health effects of caring are primarily psychological, not physical. Most of the widowed are women. An Australian study found that women widowed in the last 12 months had lower self-rated health and were more likely to report they were stressed about their health. Women widowed longer than 12 months did not score significantly differently than married women on these parameters.