We all must have come across the phase: this is why women live longer than men. These are all over the social media, where men are performing more often than not, some experiments, without gears, just for fun, "in the name of science". The caption reads: this is why women live longer. However, is there really a science to it, other than the fact that women choose to do things more safely?

In the United States, women have a life expectancy of about 80, whereas men have 75. Women outlive men and this holds true regardless of the country women live, the money they make, and other factors. In fact, it is true for most other mammals too.

Dr Dena Dubal, a professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco told the New York Times, "It is a very robust phenomenon all over the world, totally conserved in sickness, during famines, during epidemics, even during the times of starvation."

But what are the reasons? These reasons are often more complicated and less established. It is important to note that only because women are outliving men does not mean they are living a better life. In fact, women tend to have shorter health spans, which means the number of healthy years in a person's life is less in women than men, confirmed Bérénice Benayoun, an associate professor at the U.S.C. Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.

As per a 2021 study titled, Sex differences in frailty: Comparisons between humans and preclinical models, found that women are more physically grail than men in old age. They are also more vulnerable, especially after menopause and are at more risk of developing cardiovascular issues and Alzheimer's disease because of age.

The key is in figuring out what makes one sex more resilient or vulnerable.

Genetics

For things which do not find easy explanations, scientists look for their answers in genes. Many research, including a 2020 study titled, The sex with the reduced sex chromosome dies earlier: a comparison across the tree of life, suggests that the XX set of female sex chromosomes may impact longevity. However, there has not been any clarity on how it affects longevity.

Another 2018 study titled, Female XX sex chromosomes increase survival and extend lifespan in aging mice, which was conducted by Dr Dubal's lab, looked at genetically manipulated mice with different combinations of sex chromosomes and reproductive organs. It was found that those with two X chromosomes and ovaries lived longest, followed by mice with two X chromosomes and testes. Mice with XY chromosomes had shorter life spans.

"There was something about the second X chromosome that was protecting the mice from dying earlier in life, even if they had testes. What if there was something on that second X chromosome that was in some ways a sprinkle of the fountain of youth," says Dr Dubal. While scientists have not yet looked at this factor in humans, Dr Dubal suggests that humans have the same hormones and sex chromosomes, and similar reproductive system that could corroborate the similar findings in people.

Hormones

Plenty research has shown that estrogen is responsible for longevity also effect on the immune system. The data also shows that before menopause, the female immune system tends to do better. In fact Dr Benayoun said that males tend to do much worse in response to infection.

Another 2017 study titled, Ages at Menarche and Menopause and Reproductive Lifespan As Predictors of Exceptional Longevity in Women: The Women's Health Initiative, found that women who experienced menopause later in life over the age 50 lived longer than those who experienced it earlier.

Lifestyle and Behavior

There are also disparity in behavioral patterns between men and women. This includes smoking, drinking heavily, which can contribute significantly to mortality. Women also have more "health promoting behavior", believe experts. Women are also more likely to socialize than men and thus it protects them from detrimental effects of social isolation and loneliness. In fact, a 2023 analysis published in Jama Network, titled, Widening Gender Gap in Life Expectancy in the US, 2010-2021, found that women are less likely to die by drug overdose or suicide.

Influenza strain H1N1, formerly known as swine flu, is rising significantly in India, with deaths also being reported in some states.

H1N1 is a subtype of Influenza A and can cause sudden fever, cough, sore throat, headache, body aches and fatigue. These symptoms can overlap with those of other seasonal influenza strains, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), making it difficult to identify the infection based on symptoms alone.

H1N1 Cases and Deaths Reported in States

Delhi: According to official data, Delhi has reported 1,349 confirmed H1N1 infections. No official deaths have been reported.

Kerala: A total of 2,468 influenza cases were recorded in the state in July, with 24 deaths reported during the month. The total number of cases recorded in the state this year stands at 5,519, with 60 deaths reported.

Maharashtra: The state has reported 25 laboratory-confirmed H1N1 cases, including a major spike of 15 cases in July. One confirmed death was officially verified by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) Death Audit Committee.

Gujarat: H1N1 activity is also being reported, with Ahmedabad currently seeing a rise in cases.

Although H1N1 influenza primarily affects the respiratory tract, the infection can also put additional strain on the heart in some people, particularly those with a chronic history of cardiovascular disease, experts told HealthandMe.

How H1N1 Can Strain the Heart

Fever, dehydration, increased levels of carbon dioxide in the body, decreased oxygen levels and the body’s inflammatory response can increase the workload on the heart during an H1N1 infection.

This added strain may be more concerning for people who already have cardiovascular disease, said Dr. Praveen Raman Mishra, Associate Consultant, Institute of Cardiac Sciences at ShardaCare – Healthcity.

Heart Problems Linked to H1N1

Some H1N1 influenza patients may experience cardiovascular complications, including:

• Inflammation of the heart
• Abnormal heartbeats
• Worsening of heart failure

Dr. Saurabh Gupta, Associate Director, Internal Medicine, Yashoda Medicity, added that H1N1 infection may cause fluctuations in heart rhythm or inflammation associated with the heart.

“In some circumstances when suffering from the H1N1 virus, although the initial symptoms of the virus may be those shared with the normal flu, such as temperature, aches and cough, those with pre-existing heart conditions should be more vigilant whilst they’re recuperating,” he told HealthandMe.

“As the infection puts more work on the body, you can find that previous heart problems are more noticeable,” he added.

Warning Signs to Watch For After H1N1

The experts noted that people recovering from H1N1 should seek medical attention if they develop symptoms such as:

• Severe chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• A high or fluttering pulse
• Sudden faintness
• Severe weakness

Who Should Be Particularly Careful?

People with a chronic history of cardiovascular disease may face greater strain on the heart during H1N1 infection.

Monitoring symptoms during recovery and seeking medical attention when concerning symptoms develop can help identify cardiovascular problems early.

For many women, menopause can bring a string of uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes, sleep problems, changing body composition and weight gain.

Now, researchers are looking at whether combining GLP-1-based weight-loss medicines with menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) could offer greater benefits, particularly for women struggling with obesity after menopause.

A recent Mayo Clinic study, published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women's Health, found that postmenopausal women taking tirzepatide along with hormone therapy lost about 35% more weight than those taking tirzepatide alone.

What Are The Study's Findings?

Researchers studied 120 postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity who had been taking tirzepatide for at least 12 months. Forty women were also using MHT, while 80 were not.

Women taking both treatments lost around 17-19% of their body weight, compared with about 14% among those taking tirzepatide alone. About 45% of women on the combination achieved at least 20% weight loss, compared with 18% in the tirzepatide-only group.

“This study provides important insights for developing more effective and personalized strategies for managing cardiometabolic risk in postmenopausal women,” said Dr Regina Castaneda, first author and Mayo Clinic researcher.

However, this was just an observation in the study, not a randomized clinical trial. Therefore, it cannot prove that hormone therapy itself caused the additional weight loss.

“It is possible that women using hormone therapy were already engaged in healthier behaviors, or that menopause symptom relief improved sleep and quality of life,” said Dr Maria Daniela Hurtado Andrade, senior author of the study.

Also read: Postmenopausal Women May Face More Severe Dry Eye Disease; How Do Hormones Contribute?

Could The Combination Work?

During menopause, declining oestrogen levels can change fat distribution, appetite, metabolism and muscle mass. GLP-1 medicines, meanwhile, reduce appetite and slow stomach emptying, helping with weight management.

Researchers believe there could also be a biological interaction between oestrogen and GLP-1 signalling. “Preclinical data suggest a potential synergy, with estrogen appearing to enhance the appetite-suppressing effects of GLP-1,” Castaneda said.

Earlier research has also suggested greater weight loss among postmenopausal women using semaglutide alongside hormone therapy.

A 2026 review similarly concluded that GLP-1 medicines may help reduce weight and abdominal fat in menopausal women, but larger studies are needed.

Also read: Experimental Menopause Drug Shows Promise Mid-Stage Trial, Reduces Hot Flashes By 83%

Are There Any Side Effects Of Combining These Drugs?

GLP-1 medicines may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain and reduced appetite. These effects often surface when the dose is increased.

Hormone therapy has its own side-effects and it is also not suitable for everyone. Depending on the patient's medical history, MHT can increase the risk of complications like blood clots and stroke.

Hormone therapy should not be started simply to fuel weight loss from a GLP-1 drug. It is primarily used to treat certain menopause symptoms and should be prescribed after considering a woman's age, symptoms, medical history and individual risks.

As Hurtado Andrade noted, researchers now want to determine whether the combination offers benefits beyond weight loss, including improvements in cardiometabolic health.

It can be confusing and sometimes alarming to receive different thyroid test results from two different laboratories, especially when both tests are done on the same day. A slight difference in values does not necessarily mean that your thyroid function has suddenly changed. In many cases, the variation is due to differences in how the tests are performed rather than a change in your health.

The Laboratory Can Make A Difference

One of the biggest reasons for varying results is the laboratory itself. Accredited laboratories, such as NABL-certified labs, follow stringent quality-control measures, use standardised testing protocols and have trained personnel to handle samples correctly. Laboratories with less rigorous quality standards may produce results that are less consistent.

Different Equipment Can Produce Different Results

The equipment and testing methods used can also differ from one laboratory to another. Different analysers, calibration techniques and testing kits can produce slightly different values for thyroid hormones such as TSH, T3, T4, Free T3 and Free T4.

Even the reference ranges printed on reports may not be identical because each laboratory establishes its own normal range based on the equipment used and the population it serves.

Also read: UK Approves Eli Lilly’s Foundayo: Is the GLP-1 Pill Better Than Wegovy, Mounjaro?

The Time Of Your Test Matters

The timing of the test is another important factor. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) naturally fluctuates throughout the day. It is generally higher during the early hours of the morning and gradually falls as the day progresses.

As a result, a blood sample collected in the afternoon may show a lower TSH level than one collected early in the morning.

Stress, Sleep And Medication Can Affect Results

Lifestyle and biological factors can also influence thyroid hormone levels. Stress, poor sleep, recent illness, medications and even eating before the test may affect the results.

For people taking thyroid medication, blood samples should ideally be collected in the morning on an empty stomach and before taking the daily dose. Testing after medication may temporarily alter hormone levels and make interpretation more difficult.

Also read: Why Women Want Hormonal Health Care, Not Just Pregnancy Care

Biotin And Other Medicines Can Interfere With Thyroid Tests

Certain supplements and medications can interfere with thyroid tests as well. Biotin, commonly found in hair and nail supplements, can falsely lower TSH levels while increasing Free T3 and Free T4 values.

Medications such as amiodarone, glucocorticoids, dopamine and heparin may also affect thyroid hormone measurements. During pregnancy, hormonal changes, particularly increased levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), can naturally alter TSH values.

Even Sample Handling Can Affect The Report

Laboratory handling also plays a role. Delays in processing, improper storage temperatures, differences in centrifugation timing or sample-handling errors can influence the final result.

In some individuals, thyroid autoantibodies may interfere with laboratory assays, potentially leading to inaccurate Free T3 and Free T4 measurements.

Also read: Silent Neck Swellings: Why An Unusual Lump Should Never Be Ignored

Should You Repeat A Thyroid Test?

Because of these variables, experts recommend getting thyroid tests done at the same accredited laboratory whenever possible. This allows doctors to compare results more reliably over time.

If a thyroid value is only mildly abnormal or falls within a borderline range, it may often be advisable to repeat the test before making a diagnosis or starting lifelong medication.

Ultimately, thyroid test reports should never be interpreted in isolation. Doctors consider the patient's symptoms, medical history, physical examination and repeat test results before deciding on treatment.

Consistency in where and how the test is performed can help avoid unnecessary anxiety and support more accurate clinical decisions.

By Dr Shaheen Guy, General Physician, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai