Recently, various studies, aimed at discovering the reason for the more prevalent symptoms after the Covid-19 vaccine, and, in general, all vaccines in women. These studies covered an entire range of complex ideas, from the likely genetic reasons for the occurrences to the possible societal inputs associated with the elevated symptoms. 

     In essence, scientists do not know the sole reason for this, but, they have some hypotheses as to the cause. First, they believe that testosterone, the hormone found predominantly in men, leads to a weaker immune reaction when a virus is present, while estrogen and progesterone, the two hormones mainly found in women, lead to a much stronger immune response. Since the vaccine is made to trigger these responses, women have a much stronger reaction than men. Scientists have also linked the increase in symptoms in women to the chromosomes that make up the biological genders. Many of the genes that aid with immunity are located on the X-chromosome and, since women have two of these chromosomes whereas men have one, they have a stronger immune response to vaccines. In addition to this, if an immunity gene is faulty, and can therefore not help with the immune response, women will have an extra set of this gene while men will not.

     Aside from the possible biological reasons for the difference in symptoms, a few in regards to the research process have been identified. Since men have a weaker immune response, they require a larger dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to experience the full effects. This dose, however, may be too much for women, who do not need as much as men due to their stronger immune systems. As a result of the high doses, women are being given much too high doses of the vaccine and are, in turn, experiencing much worse symptoms than men. 

     This sort of ignorance, in terms of the varying needs of the two biological genders, has long been a part of scientific research. Throughout history, women have not been included in scientific studies. This, consequently, results in sex-segregated data that usually goes unreported. However, thankfully, a majority of the side effects from the Covid-19 vaccine are mild and go away after a few days.

     Whatever the reason, the difference between side effects for men and for women is noticeable, but not deadly. Hopefully, these issues can be resolved for future vaccines so as to avoid serious discomfort for one of the sexes.

(Information source: “COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects Are Stronger in Women” by AARP)