Why do men get bleeding gums more often than women?

Why do men get bleeding gums far more often than women? You’ve probably noticed it too. Maybe you’re a guy in your 40s whose gums bleed like crazy, while your wife barely has an issue. Or maybe you’re a hygienist who’s tired of seeing your male patients lose teeth to periodontitis while your female patients sail through their cleanings. For years, we blamed it on behavior. “Men don’t floss as much.” “Men skip dentist appointments.” “Men have worse oral hygiene.” And look, there’s some truth there. But that explanation never sat right with me. Because I’ve seen plenty of guys with meti