6 things men must know about women

To truly love your woman, you must know how her body functions.

In a debate, everyone casually throws around the line 'women are from Venus, men from Mars.'

The point is to show that women 'think' differently than men.

However, besides the obvious anatomical differences, did you know that women are actually quite different than men when it comes to how their bodies function?

Here are seven facts about women that differ from men.

1. Women need quality sleep more than men do

Poor sleep has different effects on men and women.

Researchers at Duke University Medical Centre conducted a study and concluded that women who sleep poorly are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart conditions than men who slept equally poorly.

They also suffer from physiological stress. So ladies, time to get some quality sleep from now on!

2. A woman’s brain is different than a man's

A study compared the brains of men and women. They are structurally different.

Men have brains that are bigger in volume and size, probably in correlation with the body sizes.

In addition, the parts of the brain responsible for a particular function are different in the two sexes.

Women tend to have larger volumes in areas of the brain dealing with language and emotions.

Men tend to have larger volumes in brain regions associated with survival instincts, memory, and learning.

3. PMS is quite real

Over a course of 28 days or so, the uterus wall in females undergoes a series of changes in line with the menstrual cycle.

The menstrual cycle is orchestrated by the fluctuation of female hormones throughout the month.

Many women may commonly experience emotional changes especially before period starts (also known as the pre-menstrual syndrome, PMS).

Mood swings, an urge to stay in bed, curl up and eat ice cream is not a made-up thing. It is quite real.

So men, once in a while, do help your woman take a day off and pamper her. 

4. It is easier to get a UTI if you are a woman

Urinary track infection is not such a pleasant thing for women.

The reason is the short urethra -- the tube that helps you void urine from the bladder.

In women, the urethral opening is in close proximity to the vagina, and pathogens can travel easily from the genital system to the urinary tract, causing UTIs.

And that is why women need to take extra care.

'Eat right, clean properly, and use the restroom every time after having sex.

5. Ovarian cancer is on the rise

Men lack ovaries, so this condition is unique to women.

The worst thing is, ovaries are internal -- you cannot check them for their size or abnormalities as men can with their testes.

When there is a malignancy, there is ample space for them to grow before they get detected.

So, in many cases, this cancer gets detected only in advanced stages. It is the same case with cervical cancer.

In India, one in 52 women are killed by cervical cancer. Both ovarian and cervical cancer can be detected early by simple examination and lab tests.

And that is why a routine visit to a gynaecologist is so important.

6. Going for regular screening with a gynaecologist can catch any cell changes early

Screening programmes are meant to catch such diseases early so that the quality of life improves.

It is recommended that any woman who is over the age of 30 should get a ThinPrep Pap Test done every three years.

Experts also advise visiting a gynaecologist at least once a year, if not more frequently, as early detection can save lives.

Lead image -- a still from Raaz 3 -- used for representational purposes only.