Comparison of Parkinson’s Disease Features in Males and Females

Differences of sex hormones in men and women cause differences in physiologic and pathologic process in two sexes, which makes the field of Women's Health. Parkinson's disease is one of the most common chronic, progressive and disabling disorders and this can reveal the importance of this disease in women. We did a literature review about the features of Parkinson's disease (PD) in men and women and found noticeable differences in prevalence, clinical presentations, and the course of disease and treatment. In addition, we identified female life events, such as menstruation, menopause, pregnancy and also medications (like oral contraceptives and hormone-replacement therapy), impacts women with PD. On the other hand, approximately 3-5% of women diagnosed with this disorder are under the age of 50 and a large number of these women are still experiencing regular menstrual cycles. So, being aware to these biological sex-specific differences can help improve the quality and individualization of care for women with PD and may provide insights into neurobiological mechanisms.