COPD and Men

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is more common among women than men. This is partially due to the different rates and effects of cigarette smoking. But COPD still affects many men, especially those with a history of smoking.¹

Men are more likely to die from COPD. This may be due to differences in risk factors and other biological factors. Evidence also suggests that men experience COPD differently than women.^1,2

We need more research to understand how COPD appears in men. This can help identify gender-specific treatment strategies. Until then, experts suggest similar COPD treatments for men and women.³

How does COPD affect men?

Men and women with COPD have similar symptoms. For example, coughing and tiredness are common COPD symptoms regardless of gender. But research has shown men with COPD do have some differences in symptoms. Compared with women who have COPD, men with COPD tend to have:^1-3

• Worse airway blockage
• More mucus and phlegm from coughing
• More chest tightness
• Less shortness of breath
• Less anxiety and depression

Symptoms of COPD often happen together in groups, or clusters. Men and women may have distinct clusters of symptoms. We need more research to identify COPD symptom clusters in men.²

The COPD death rate among men is about 37 out of 100,000. In contrast, it is about 32 out of 100,000 among women. Over the past 20 years, the death rate among men has declined sharply. But the death rate among women has not changed much during that time.⁴

What are the risk factors for COPD in men?

Men have many of the same risk factors for COPD as women do. For example, men and women with COPD are equally likely to have high blood pressure or heart problems. But compared with women who have COPD, men with COPD are more likely to:^1-3

• Be older
• Have a heavier smoking history
• Have a higher body mass index (BMI)
• Have diabetes

These trends suggest that men are less vulnerable to COPD compared with women. Men seem to tolerate higher exposure to cigarette smoke before developing airway disease. This may be why men with COPD are much more likely to have a smoking history. Differences in biology between men and women may play a role in this. For example, larger airways and different sex hormones may affect sensitivity to smoking.^1-3

What are the treatments for COPD in men?

The goals of COPD treatment include symptom management and reduction of risk factors. This means that treatment strategies may depend on your symptoms and risk factors.²

Compared with women who have COPD, men with COPD may benefit more from quitting smoking. Stopping smoking may prevent COPD, especially for men. It may also slow COPD progression better. Stopping smoking can also reduce phlegm, which is worse in men.²

Treatments for COPD are often the same in men and women. There is limited data comparing how well treatment works across genders. Evidence from clinical studies for COPD does not support using different treatment strategies for different genders. Drug options to treat COPD for men and women include the classes of drugs below:^2,3

• Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs)
• Long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs)
• Combination LABA-LAMAs
• Combination inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-LABAs