Earlier research suggested that men develop OCD symptoms at a younger age than women, and that earlier onset is linked to more severe and long-lasting symptoms. However, recent studies have found mixed results. One study found that men reported their symptoms were worse at a younger age and they sought treatment younger, but there was no difference in when symptoms first started. Another study found a small but meaningful difference–men first developed symptoms at an average age of 19 compared to 21 for women. However, two studies of children with OCD found no gender differences in when symptoms started or how severe they were.