Coronavirus: Here's why women have a higher risk of long COVID than men

The state of the devastation caused by the second wave of coronavirus has left many in need of dire help and a lingering list of symptoms for those who have recovered. While cases ebb, experts say that we will now see a barrage of people suffering from long COVID and post-COVID-complications, a condition that has no proven treatment yet. If studies are to go by, women more than men are at the receiving end of the spectrum.

ALSO READ: Possible signs and symptoms you may be suffering from long COVID

While COVID-19 has been seen to impact people differently-being fatal for some, mild or barely noticeable in some, it has been observed that women were less likely to be impacted by severe outcomes, as well as mortality from COVID-19, thanks to their genetic make-up and more strongly suited immune system which give them the edge. However, as with long COVID, women may be more impacted than men, which, many experts feel could also worsen health outcomes.

Long COVID, which is characterised as a set of lingering symptoms post battling the viral illness is statistically, said to impact as many as 1 in 5 COVID survivors. Yet, there are some who have a higher risk of developing the debilitating condition, such as women. Even as experts continue to look into the complexities and factors which cause long COVID, here are 3 possible factors which could increase women's chances of developing post-COVID-complications right now...

ALSO READ: Factors and conditions which increase the risk of long COVID

Past studies have shown that women have a higher prevalence of chronic pain and fatigue syndrome- both of the conditions which are known to have symptoms similar to long COVID, which could be one of the likely reasons why women, right now, are more susceptible.

Most importantly, experts have detailed how most of these conditions are associated with excess activation of immune cells in the bodies, which quickly recognize even fragments of the pathogen, and prompt an immune response, and seldom release cytokines that make us feel unwell. This repeated stimulation and immune activity could be a factor that causes chronic pain, fatigue and other symptoms which are associated with long COVID and post-viral malaise. Women have also been found to have higher IL-6 levels than men.

Clinical studies have also established that most cases of long COVID were in perimenopausal women, which could explain why women between the ages of 40-60 have an exceptionally high risk.

Some small studies have also established that long COVID risk could be bad for women who have predisposed conditions or immunity-diminishing markers. However, no concrete proof of the same has been found yet.

A part of the reason why women at this point may be more likely the sufferers of long COVID could be because they are more likely to report symptoms, or seek care for their ailments than men. While women have been shown to have a higher than usual lifetime risk of chronic pain and fatigue, it can also happen that we see a higher rate of long COVID diagnosis in women due to the way cases come up.

Interestingly, the same pattern has been seen in the reporting of COVID symptoms in the initial stage. Women, more likely than men are known to seek testing, report symptoms or get help for their illness

Recent evaluations have hinted as to how hormonal discrepancies or flare-ups could significantly alter vaccination response in women and cause symptoms like abdominal pain, temporary changes to their period cycles and in general, more intense side-effects.

In likelihood, the hormonal changes could also be a reason why women are at a heightened risk of post-COVID-complications and increased symptoms, weeks or months after testing negative for the virus.

Till right now, a total of 55 post-COVID-symptoms have been established. Of these, the most common of symptoms that seem to affect, or linger on for longer include breathlessness, chest pain, persistent cough, fatigue, body pain, myalgia, period changes, anxiety, sleeplessness, loss of energy, brain fog.

Seeking care early on is the best way to tackle and combat these symptoms. While post-COVID-symptoms can take a while to recover and zap one out of energy, symptomatic treatment, and an altered pace of life is the best way to deal with the perils of long COVID.