Very interesting thread subject & even more interesting theories. I'm eager to tune in for more posts.
(But in one way, this is like saying:
If A = B
and B = C,
then A must = C
Statistics only quote what data has been used in the Survey Analysis.
Statisticians forget that D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L & so on, up to Z, have
not been included in the survey.
If they surveyed ALL people ALL over the world, then D - Z would re-write the Survey results.
(that's my take on it all).
As a female (I think I'm a female :worried

, I signed up to the Phoenix Forum because I had been subscribing to Cort's newsletter for a long time. When he announced the forum, I signed up (not knowing what I was getting in to). I thought there might have been far more females, than males, but recently I have been more aware of males posting.
(And I have since found that many internet names & avatars give no indication of the sex of the post writer. I have been caught out 2-3 times on this forum, already).
I believe the ratio of men to women with ME/CFS is only a reflection of the survey & statistics at the current time, but the important information is
the very fact that ME/CFS (& FM) is clearly male, female, child or adult. The very fact that both sexes & all ages groups are affected, relects that at this time in medical history & research, one can't narrow down a particular
type (who is affected).
And while, FM sufferers (I say FM because I know more about my own FM) seem to be high achievers or very focussed & driven individuals, this could just reflect that high achievers are aiming for higher success in their life & are quick to report to their Dr when they fall "ill" & are unable to achieve that striven for "success". Therefore
high achievers are more likely to be counted in the survey on FM.
The true result may be that the
quieter person (or middle achiever, or non-achiever, or person who is not interested in high achievement as a focus in their life) has not reported their condition or been to their Dr (& may outnumber the FM patients that HAVE been surveyed).
Gee, I'm getting confused now. But I hope you all know what I'm trying to say.
I guess we could go around in circles for days trying to offer theories.
(It's still an interesting thread).