Local Women Research Articles

Political contexts and new electorates: The case of women in Norway

AbstractExtension of voting rights is basic to political representation, but getting the newly eligible to the polls is also essential to representative politics. What are the factors that contribute to the mobilization of new voters? Study of the entry of women in electoral politics remains limited due to lack of appropriate data. However, in the case of Norway, as in several other countries, separate records were kept on women's eligibility and voting turnout. This paper examines how social factors may condition the influence of a major determinant of women's turnout, political party competition, in parliamentary elections immediately following their enfranchisement in the case of Norway. The study is conducted at the commune level and uses spatial tools of analysis. It takes place across (a) regions with different socio‐cultural and political attributes, (b) different franchise extensions to women by socioeconomic status, and (c) genders. Findings suggest that social context, that is, women's location in different socio‐cultural/political settings and socio‐economic status may condition the effects of political party competition on women's turnout.

Space of Male Absence, Chaste Women Narrative in Huizhou:Centered on Local Women’s Biographies

Space of Male Absence, Chaste Women Narrative in Huizhou:Centered on Local Women’s Biographies

Reconceptualising Women’s Empowerment and Agency in Development: Perspectives from Local Women in Northern Ghana

Reconceptualising Women’s Empowerment and Agency in Development: Perspectives from Local Women in Northern Ghana

Local Women in the Christian Mission History of the Protestant Church in Southeast Sulawesi (Gepsultra), Indonesia

In the history of Protestant missions, women do not play a significant role in the collective memory. This study endeavors to examine and analyze the involvement of women in the historical records of the Protestant Church mission in Southeast Sulawesi, employing a feminist perspective. The primary thesis of this article posits that the adoption of feminist perspectives is imperative in order to elucidate the interrelated nature of masculine hegemony, Indonesian historiography, and the marginalization of women as individuals who have been excluded from the annals of missionary history and the collective recollection of the Protestant church in Southeast Sulawesi. The article commences with an examination of women and historiography, situated within the framework of feminist discourse. The results indicate that local women deserve to be dubbed missionaries because they serve as missionary heroes, leaders, and cultural bridges.

Women’s Empowerment Activities of Non-Governmental Organizations in Turkiye: Refugee and Local Women’s Triple Role

Objective: Development is an essential concept of social and economic progress. In Turkiye, non-governmental organisations contribute to development and empowerment through their activities. The aim of this research is to respond to “What are the alterations caused by NGOs empowerment activities in the field of development of refugee and local women’s triple role in society after the 2011 Syrian crisis?” Method: This research article employed qualitative methodology with semi-structured face-to-face and online interviews. The interviewer was selected from 10 NGOs officers between the ages of 24-35 who graduated from social sciences and humanities and had at least 2 years’ experience working in the social cohesion, livelihoods, and protection units of NGOs. Results: The findings reveal that NGOs empowerment activities that considered "class and gender," "community participation," and "social cohesion, as concepts have effects on refugee and local women’s triple role in society after the 2011 Syrian Crisis. Conclusion: Development policies and NGOs activities have an important role in the civil society. It enhances women status in the society. Additionally, NGOs’ activities that focused on women's empowerment and women's strategic life choices (resources, agency, and success), have positive impacts women’s triple roles.

Peacekeepers and Local Women and Girls: A Comparative Mixed-Methods Analysis of Local Perspectives from Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo

ABSTRACT The UN may sanction peacekeeping operations (POs) to neutralize armed groups and promote democratization. This research presents perceptions from beneficiaries of assistance related to POs and relations between local women/girls and peacekeepers within two post-colonial contexts: the DRC and Haiti. Using cross-sectional, mixed-methods data collected in Haiti (2017) and the DRC (2018), we performed a comparative secondary analysis to better understand similarities and differences by country and gender in how participants perceived peacekeepers. Congolese participants were more likely to perceive foreign UN personnel as ‘able to offer financial support’, compared to Haitian participants who were more likely to perceive the UN personnel as ‘in a position of authority’ and ‘able to offer protection’. Overall response patterns indicated that both Haitian and Congolese perceived the peacekeeper as responsible for initiating interactions with local women/girls. However, some variations were noted: Congolese male participants were most likely to perceive UN personnel as the initiators of interactions with local women and girls, compared to Haitians and Congolese females, who were more likely to perceive local women and girls as the initiators. Our research presents a locally grounded understanding of how locals perceive POs and peacekeepers relative to their communities and women and girls.

Dietary patterns, untargeted metabolite profiles and their association with colorectal cancer risk

We investigated data-driven and hypothesis-driven dietary patterns and their association to plasma metabolite profiles and subsequent colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in 680 CRC cases and individually matched controls. Dietary patterns were identified from combined exploratory/confirmatory factor analysis. We assessed association to LC–MS metabolic profiles by random forest regression and to CRC risk by multivariable conditional logistic regression. Principal component analysis was used on metabolite features selected to reflect dietary exposures. Component scores were associated to CRC risk and dietary exposures using partial Spearman correlation. We identified 12 data-driven dietary patterns, of which a breakfast food pattern showed an inverse association with CRC risk (OR per standard deviation increase 0.89, 95% CI 0.80–1.00, p = 0.04). This pattern was also inversely associated with risk of distal colon cancer (0.75, 0.61–0.96, p = 0.01) and was more pronounced in women (0.69, 0.49–0.96, p = 0.03). Associations between meat, fast-food, fruit soup/rice patterns and CRC risk were modified by tumor location in women. Alcohol as well as fruit and vegetables associated with metabolite profiles (Q2 0.22 and 0.26, respectively). One metabolite reflecting alcohol intake associated with increased CRC risk, whereas three metabolites reflecting fiber, wholegrain, and fruit and vegetables associated with decreased CRC risk.

Comparison of Modified Ferriman-Gallwey Score and Biochemical Parameters in the Estimation of the Prevalence of Idiopathic Hirsutism Among Women in the Kurdistan Region

The word "hirsutism" describes the development of terminal hairs at androgen-controlled body locations in women, which has distress and adverse psychosocial affects. The diagnosis of hirsutism is the key point in the treatment of unwanted hair growth in women’s body. Present study aimed to evaluate the modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) score and the biochemical hyperandrogenism parameters among Iraqi hirsute women and their association with hirsutism in outpatients clinics in Kalar city, Garmian region, Iraq. This was a cross-sectional study of 100 hirsute women were collected from the outpatients clinic and 26 healthy women in Kalar city. After detailed history taking by using structured questionnaire, physical examination, and the relevant investigations were done, the scoring of hirsutism was indexed according to (mFG) scoring system. Moreover, sera of hormonal markers were measured; which included 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), s. prolactin, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). No statistically significant differences were found in the median of the sex and related hormones between control subjects and the hirsutism group. Likewise, there were no significant relation between hormonal markers and the rate of hirsutism. While, an intrinsic statistical association was seen between the mFG score with the hirsutism and the rate of hirsutism. Our findings imply that the mFG score system is a significance screening tool and has tremendous importance and utility in establishing the diagnosis of hirsutism.

Boredom, Hope, and Intimate Labor in Transit: Young Male Refugees and Their Intimate Relationships with Older, Local Women in Indonesia

Thousands of refugees transit through Indonesia, often for prolonged periods of time. With limited access to basic rights, including the right to work, some young or underage male refugees forge intimate relationships with older Indonesians. Public perception of these relationships is, for the most part, dichotomous: the refugees are seen either as moral transgressors or victims of sexual exploitation. This research explores how these intimate, age-dissimilar relationships are formed, and the consequences of the public condemnation and criminal sanctions that can follow. We show that these relationships are often more complex than a mere exchange of money for sex, and argue that they can be best understood as intimate labor. When these relationships are extended ones, they can help refugees alleviate their economic precariousness and afford a more consumerist lifestyle, and to overcome the loneliness, boredom, and hopelessness that characterize their prolonged waiting times in transit.

D91. Effect of Pre-pectoral Versus Sub-pectoral Implant Placement in Breast Reconstruction on the Delivery of Post-mastectomy Radiation

PURPOSE: The placement of breast implants in a pre-pectoral compared to sub-pectoral plane has become increasingly popular in breast reconstruction, though data are limited on how this affects radiation delivery for locoregional disease control in women with breast cancer. This study aims to assess the dosimetric implications of implant location in women undergoing post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) after immediate breast reconstruction. METHODS: Patients with breast cancer treated with mastectomy, implant breast reconstruction, and PMRT between 2014-2022 at a single center were included. All patients received either intensity-modulated or 3-D conformal radiation therapy over an average of 5 weeks. Demographic, clinical and treatment data were collected through chart review. Patients were matched 1:1 on cancer sidedness, use of boost, fractionation and extent of radiation fields. Groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U or t-tests for continuous variables, and chi-square or Fisher’s Exact tests for categorical variables, as appropriate. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with pre-pectoral and 26 patients with sub-pectoral implants were included. Patients with pre-pectoral reconstruction had lower average implant volumes (452cc vs 503cc) prior to radiation. There was no difference in chest wall coverage (p=0.107), internal mammary node coverage (p=0.215), heart dose (p=0.627) or lung V20Gy (p=0.774). CONCLUSION: In this assessment of radiotherapeutic dosimetry in patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction, we found no significant difference in target coverage or normal tissue dose based on pre- versus sub-pectoral implant location. This suggests that implant placement can be selected to optimize reconstructive outcomes, without concern for compromise to the oncologic quality of PMRT.

성매매집결지 지속으로 인한 경험이 여성의 위치성에 따라 미치는 영향

In this study, the Busan Wanwol-dong the red light district, the first brothel in Korea, continues to this day under the connivance and management of the central and local governments. Laws and norms are inconsistent, ‘Wanwol-dong’ itself has a mixture of residential and commercial areas, or is closely connected, affecting the residents of the community. In this regard, I studied what the experience of the prostitution women, local community women, and anti-prostitution activists, who are directly victims of Wanwol-dong, by the continuation of the Wanwol-dong prostitution gathering place, and what the impact was depending on the location. To this end, 9 research participants who were closely related to the Busan Wanwol- dong the red light district were selected and conducted as a case study method. The research participants' experience of social control, masculine culture, and connivance and management, which are formal regulations, due to the continuation of the Busan Wanwol the red light district differs depending on the location of women, Prostitution women, community women, and anti- sex trafficking activists repeatedly practice femininity of the 'protected sex' and 'non-protected sex', and as they become gendered, they internalize double norms and become marginalized. However, anti-prostitution activists challenge patriarchal double norms and cause cracks in the empowerment of sex while eradicating prostitution and closing down the Wanwol-dong assembly point in Busan while supporting prostitution women. In addition, prostitution in a specific area spreads the conventional wisdom that prostitution is considered natural, and the demand for sex purchase increases. As it becomes insensitive to violence against women, it strengthens violence against women and puts them in an inferior position, deepening gender empowerment. The Busan Wanwol-dong the red light district is directly and indirectly connected to the local community, such as violence against women and illegal acts, as residential and commercial areas develop through acquiescence and management, which are formal regulations of the government and local governments. Indifference to or concealment of prostitution. In addition, as the system and norms in the local community are inconsistent with each other, the law does not play a role, which is the cause of the persistence of the Busan Wanwol-dong the red light district.

Placental Location in Women Experienced Cesarean Section using Ultrasonography: A Case-Control Study on Sudanese Women

The objective of this study was to assess the placental location in women with a previous cesarean section (CS) using ultrasonography and the impact of cesarean section (CS) on placenta location. Methods and Results: This case-control study included 205 pregnant women with normal singleton pregnancies (83 women with previous CS [case group] and 122 without previous CS [control group]). The study was conducted at three general hospitals in Khartoum State from August to November 2019. The women were investigated using a Mindary ultrasound machine DP_2200 equipped with 3.5MHz transducers. The anterior placenta location was more prevalent than others: 43.3% and 45.9% for cases and control, respectively. The incidence of placenta previa (PP) and the low-lying placenta (LLP) was 1.2% and 3.6%, respectively, in the case group, and 0.0 and 0.8%, respectively, in the control group. Women with a previous CS were at high risk of the LLP and PP (OR=6.12). Conclusion: Our study concluded that the most common sites of the placenta in women with a previous CS were anterior and posterior locations. The study also concluded that women with a previous history of CS are at high risk for LLP and PP.

Local Women and Building the Peace: Narratives from Africa

Inadequate attention is given to the influence of local women in fostering peace. Scholars and policymakers in striving to plug this deficit now pay more attention to the contributions women make to peace. This article supports this reorientation and makes a case for encouraging local women in peace processes by pointing out the difficulties in ending conflict when they channel their efforts to conflict exacerbation out of being denied formal spaces to contribute to peace. Using events from the conflict in Liberia (1989–2003), Burundi (1993–2005) and Sudan’s Darfur (2007 to date), this study points to the significance of harnessing the energies of local women in forging peace during conflict and sustaining it post conflict. Using descriptive analysis, this article argues in support of conventional feminist thought that the absence of women from peace initiatives conjures a vital missing link in achieving stability.

A vestibular examination must include the 12:00 region

ABSTRACT Introduction The vestibule is an endodermal tissue located on the skin surface between Hart's line at the inner aspect of the labia minora (ectoderm), and the hymen, at the vaginal opening (mesoderm). The vestibule contains the urethral meatus and minor and major vestibular glands. The vestibule releases mucinous lubrication during sexual arousal that is achieved, in part, by vestibular innervation, likely from somatic (pudendal branch) and autonomic (pelvic branch) nerves. As part of an evaluation of patients with entrance dyspareunia, providers should perform a cotton-tip swab test to assess pain intensity and degree of erythema. Typically, the locations assessed are the 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 locations of the posterior and right/left anterior vestibule. This testing strategy, however, does not include the entire vestibule. The 12:00 region of the vestibule is located above the urethral meatus, just below the clitoris and medial to Hart's line. The 12:00 region can also be painful during cotton-tip swab testing. Few providers examine this region or consider it during treatment. Objective The main objective of this study was to compare the pain scores of cotton-tip swab testing and degree of erythema of the 12:00 region to those of the 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 locations in women presenting with entrance dyspareunia. The secondary objective was to examine the 12:00 region for the presence of minor vestibular glands. Methods Women presenting to our clinic with complaints of entrance dyspareunia underwent vulvoscopy with photography and cotton-tip swab testing including the 12:00 region while using a vulvoscope (Wallach Zoomscope) with attached camera (Cannon). Pain intensity was rated by the patient (0 – 10), with pain >3 considered clinically significant. Erythema was rated by the provider (absent, mild, moderate or severe) with any erythema considered clinically significant. Results A total of 144 women (mean age 43 +/- 20, range 13-83 years) underwent vulvoscopy at the standard 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 locations. In addition, they were tested concomitantly at the 12:00 location. Among this group of women, 26 (18%) had absent pain and absent erythema throughout all locations; 25 (18%) had positive findings of pain and erythema in at least 3 of the usual vestibular locations but not at 12:00; and 92 (64%) had pain and erythema in at least 1 of the usual vestibular locations and at 12:00. Photographs revealed 27% of those experiencing pain at the 12:00 had obvious single/multiple ostia of minor vestibular glands at that location. Conclusions Women with entrance dyspareunia commonly have pain and erythema at the 12:00 region of the vestibule. Photography reveals the presence of minor vestibular glands at the 12:00 location. Providers should examine the entire vestibule including the 12:00 region during examination. Providers should consider including the 12:00 vestibule when treating entrance dyspareunia with medication such as compounded testosterone and estradiol and/or surgery. Disclosure Work supported by industry: no.

The 12:00 Region of the Vestibule: Often Overlooked during Examination and Treatment of Women with Entrance Dyspareunia

ABSTRACT Introduction The vestibule is an endodermal tissue located on the skin surface between Hart's line at the inner aspect of the labia minora (ectoderm), and the hymen, at the vaginal opening (mesoderm). The vestibule contains the urethral meatus and minor and major vestibular glands. The vestibule releases mucinous lubrication during sexual arousal that is achieved, in part, by vestibular innervation, likely from somatic (pudendal branch) and autonomic (pelvic branch) nerves. As part of an evaluation of patients with entrance dyspareunia, providers should perform a cotton-tip swab test to assess pain intensity and degree of erythema. Typically, the locations assessed are the 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 locations of the posterior and right/left anterior vestibule. This testing strategy, however, does not include the entire vestibule. The 12:00 region of the vestibule is located above the urethral meatus, just below the clitoris and medial to Hart's line. The 12:00 region can also be painful during cotton-tip swab testing. Few providers examine this region or consider it during treatment. Objective The main objective of this study was to compare the pain scores of cotton-tip swab testing and degree of erythema of the 12:00 region to those of the 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 locations in women presenting with entrance dyspareunia. The secondary objective was to examine the 12:00 region for the presence of minor vestibular glands. Methods Women presenting to our clinic with complaints of entrance dyspareunia underwent vulvoscopy with photography and cotton-tip swab testing including the 12:00 region while using a vulvoscope (Wallach Zoomscope) with attached camera (Cannon). Pain intensity was rated by the patient (0 – 10), with pain >3 considered clinically significant. Erythema was rated by the provider (absent, mild, moderate or severe) with any erythema considered clinically significant. Results A total of 144 women (mean age 43 +/- 20, range 13-83 years) underwent vulvoscopy at the standard 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 6: 00, 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 locations. In addition, they were tested concomitantly at the 12:00 location. Among this group of women, 26 (18%) had absent pain and absent erythema throughout all locations; 25 (18%) had positive findings of pain and erythema in at least 3 of the usual vestibular locations but not at 12:00; and 92 (64%) had pain and erythema in at least 1 of the usual vestibular locations and at 12:00. Photographs revealed 27% of those experiencing pain at the 12:00 had obvious single/multiple ostia of minor vestibular glands at that location. Conclusions Women with entrance dyspareunia commonly have pain and erythema at the 12:00 region of the vestibule. Photography reveals the presence of minor vestibular glands at the 12:00 location. Providers should examine the entire vestibule including the 12:00 region during examination. Providers should consider including the 12:00 vestibule when treating entrance dyspareunia with medication such as compounded testosterone and estradiol and/or surgery. Disclosure No

Women’s perspectives on receiving and expanding access to essential health services in pharmacies in the United States

BackgroundExpanding reproductive health services in community pharmacies is a promising strategy for reaching underserved communities. Limited information exists on women’s attitudes to receive these services and if interest may differ in urban and rural locations. ObjectiveWe sought to determine whether there were differences by rural location in women’s perspectives and willingness to receive essential preventative and diagnostic reproductive health services in community pharmacies. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional national survey of women in November 2020. The survey consisted of demographic data, women’s experiences receiving essential preventative health services, and questions regarding perspectives on and interest in receiving these services in community pharmacies. Descriptive statistics assessed differences in survey responses between rural and urban communities. ResultsOur sample size consisted of 867 women. We received 544 responses for a response rate of 62.7%. Rural women were as likely as their urban counterparts to delay receiving preventative care owing to concerns about insurance or how they would pay for services (P = 0.45). Rural women were less likely than urban women to have received the human papillomavirus vaccine (P = 0.02) or have had regular cervical cancer screenings (P = 0.04). Overall, both rural and urban women want to receive preventative reproductive health services in community pharmacies. ConclusionExpanded access to reproductive health services in community pharmacies has the potential to improve access and health screening, particularly in underserved rural areas.

Peculiarities of ultrasound diagnostics of paraurethral glands in women of fertile age

Aim. Evaluation of ultrasound diagnostics of paraurethral glands considering their types of location in women of fertile age. Materials and methods. A gynaecological, sexological and ultrasound study of 94 women in the age from 24 to 42 (average age 31.01 ± 6.60) was carried out. Determination of paraurethral glands during ultrasound study was conducted in the format of grey scale (B-mode) using the Doppler colour flow mapping and evaluation of Doppler indices of paraurethral glands both before and after sexual stimu­lation. To optimize the paraurethral glands visual view at the beginning of examination urinary bladder was catheterized and a balloon, filled with gel, was inserted into vagina. Results. The front type of paraurethral glands location was found in the accumulation of glandular tissues in regard to the distal part of urethra in 67 (71.2 %) of the examined, back type – in the area of back urethra in 19 (20.2 %), diffuse type – along urethra in 7 (7.5 %) and absence – in 1 (1.1 %). Paraurethral glands were visualized in the form of clear isoechogenic oval formation with the following dimensions: length – 2.20 ± 0.60 cm, width – 1.52 ± 0.40 cm, thickness – 1.30 ± 0.30 cm, and volume – 4.75 ± 0.50 cm3. The diameter of vessels in the paraurethral glands area was between 0.17 cm and 0.21 cm in calm state and 0.39–0.41 cm – during stimulation. Maximum systolic speed of blood flow (Vps) in calm was 8.9–11.1 cm/sec, while in sexual stimulation it was 13.9–14.1 cm/sec, resistance index (IR) – 0.60–0.62 and 0.63–0.68, respectively, pulsation index (IP) – 1.22–1.44 and 1.61–1.72, respectively. Conclusions. The ultrasound study of vessels of paraurethral glands, when Doppler method is used according to the suggested methodology, gives the opportunity not only to identify its anatomical structure, but also to determine its types. In CDC the increase of diameter of vessels and the optimization of vessels image in the area of paraurethral glands in case of sexual stimulation were marked.

Challenging the Savarna Articulation of Gender Equality: The Rise of Dalit Feminist Viewpoint

The emergence of Dalit feminist viewpoint, as an autonomous force, in parallel to the dominant imagination of feminist politics in India led by the English-speaking upper caste/middle class savarna women, marks a paradigmatic shift in our doing of gender politics, which seeks to reformulate an alternative agenda of women’s emancipation by including the specificities of the lived realities of women belonging to marginalised social locations. It critiques the essentialist and monolithic imagination of the category of ‘woman’ and seeks to radicalise our approach to the question of women’s liberation by pluralising the personal experiences of women belonging to different socio-political backgrounds. It foregrounds the intersectionality of caste, class and gender locations of women as an analytic tool to diversify the ways in which women are oppressed and exploited on the daily basis. It demands broadening of the contours of feminist imagination by stressing on the role of family, community, education, sexuality in sustaining gender norms and caste hierarchies that keep women within the ascribed roles of childbearing and nurtures of families. The role of caste as the producer of social hierarchies, perpetuator of gender discrimination and material exploitation is examined from the inersectionality of caste, class and gender in order to formulate an inclusive feminist framework to provide a rightful space to the lost voices of marginalised Dalit women. The paper foregrounds and analyses the collective fight of Dalit women for restoring equality, subjectivity, autonomy and dignified identity from the interlocked points of the caste, class and gender locations, thus underscoring the need for launching a holistic critique of the social, political and economic structures that subordinate women and relegate them to the margins of society.

Women Safety Device with GPS Tracking using Arduino

In today’s world women safety has become a major issue as they cannot step out of their house at any given time due to fear of physical abuse and violence. Now these can be brought to an end with the help of a women safety device. This safety device consists of a micro controller, emergency button switch. On sensing the emergency situation this device provides the current location of women and sense it to emergency contact through GSM MODULE. This safety device also includes a LED and an electric shock inverter circuit which is used to hurt the attacking person due to which there is a chance for the women to escape. GPS receiver gets location INFORMATION from satellite in the form of latitude and longitude. The GSM modem sends an SMS to the pre-defined mobile number. When a woman is in danger she can press the switch which is with her. By pressing the switch the entire system will be activated. Then immediately the SMS will be sent to the person with location using GSM and GPS which can be traced from the goggle maps.

Novel Volumetric and Surface-Based Magnetic Resonance Indices of the Aging Brain - Does Male and Female Brain Age in the Same Way?

Introduction: Novel post-processing methods allow not only for assessment of brain volumetry or cortical thickness based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but also for more detailed analysis of cortical shape and complexity using parameters such as sulcal depth, gyrification index, or fractal dimension. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in brain volumetry and other cortical indices during aging in men and women.Material and Methods: Material consisted of 697 healthy volunteers (aged 38–80 years; M/F, 264/443) who underwent brain MRI using a 1.5-T scanner. Voxel-based volumetry of total gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was performed followed by assessment of cortical parameters [cortical thickness (CT), sulcal depth (SD), gyrification index (GI), and fractal dimension (FD)] in 150 atlas locations using surface-based morphometry with a region-based approach. All parameters were compared among seven age groups (grouped every 5 years) separately for men and women. Additionally, percentile curves for men and women were provided for total volumes of GM, WM, and CSF.Results: In men and women, a decrease in GM and WM volumes and an increase in CSF volume seem to progress slowly since the age of 45. In men, significant GM and WM loss as well as CSF increase start above 55 years of age, while in women, significant GM loss starts above 50 and significant WM loss as well as CSF increase above 60. CT was found to significantly decrease with aging in 39% of locations in women and in 36% of locations in men, SD was found to increase in 13.5% of locations in women and in 1.3% of locations in men, GI was decreased in 3.4% of locations in women and in 2.0% of locations in men, and FD was changed in 2.7% of locations in women compared to 2.0% in men.Conclusions: Male and female brains start aging at the similar age of 45. Compared to men, in women, the cortex is affected earlier and in the more complex pattern regarding not only cortical loss but also other alterations within the cortical shape, with relatively longer sparing of WM volume.