Scientists have revealed why stroke affects women more often

Stroke is increasingly attacking young women: scientists have identified specific risk factors associated with female physiology. US statistics show that annually 55,000 more women than men suffer strokes, with the disease affecting women in their most active years of life.

As reported by TUT.AZ, this information comes from The Conversation portal.

Pregnancy becomes one of the key risk periods. Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, accompanied by increased blood pressure and internal organ dysfunction, significantly increase the likelihood of stroke not only during pregnancy but also in subsequent years due to long-term damage to blood vessels supplying the brain.

Hormonal contraception can also play a negative role. Combined contraceptive pills with estrogen increase blood clotting and can raise blood pressure. Women over 35 who smoke and suffer from migraine with aura are at particular risk, while progesterone-only medications do not cause similar effects.

Menopause becomes another critical period. Decreased estrogen levels lead to loss of elasticity in vascular walls and worsening lipid profiles, making blood vessels more fragile. Some types of hormone replacement therapy may slightly increase stroke risk, especially when treatment is started late.

According to the American Heart and Stroke Association, pregnant women and those who recently gave birth suffer from strokes three times more often than their peers.

The problem is exacerbated by diagnostic difficulties. Women more often report atypical symptoms - headaches, nausea, fatigue, and confusion, which doctors may mistake for migraine, anxiety disorder, or stress. This critically delays the start of treatment. Subarachnoid hemorrhage - a dangerous form of stroke manifesting as sudden severe headache - also occurs more frequently in women due to decreased estrogen levels and weakening of cerebral arteries.

Despite accumulated data, many female-specific stroke risks remain poorly understood. Women are still underrepresented in clinical trials, causing diagnostic and treatment approaches to often be developed based on data about male physiology.

Experts emphasized: improving the situation is only possible by creating prevention programs that consider the characteristics of the female body at different life stages. Early diagnosis, awareness of symptoms, and individualized treatment approaches can significantly reduce the global burden of stroke and help narrow the gender gap in mortality and disability.