By: Ridwan Zoree
Have you ever wondered why women tend to outlive men? It’s a fascinating and complex topic that has intrigued scientists and researchers for years. From genetics to lifestyle factors, there are many theories that attempt to explain this phenomenon. As we delve into this topic, we’ll explore the possible reasons why women have a longer lifespan than men. We’ll examine how their biology, psychology, and social behavior might contribute to their longevity. So, if you’re curious about the science behind why women live longer than men, join me on a journey of exploration and discovery. Together, we’ll uncover the secrets of this intriguing phenomenon and gain a deeper understanding of the differences between the sexes.
In most countries, the average life expectancy of women is longer than that of men. However, a person’s lifespan is influenced by many complex and intertwined factors. Many men may live beyond 80 years of age, just as some women may not reach old age.
Factors contributing to the difference in the lifespan of women and men are both biological and behavioral:
Biological factors
1. Estrogen:
The female hormone, estrogen, has protective effects. It raises good cholesterol (HDL) and lowers bad cholesterol levels, thus reducing women’s risk of developing stroke and heart diseases. Estrogen also has an antioxidant role that prevents DNA damage that can lead to diseases, and it helps maintain normal, healthy cell function.
2. Testosterone:
Elevated levels of the male sex hormone, testosterone, are associated with reckless and aggressive behavior, putting men in more dangerous positions than women. Testosterone production peaks between ages 15 and 24, and the most common causes of death in this age group include road traffic accidents, violence, and drowning.
3. Extra X chromosome:Women have two X chromosomes, while men have one X and one Y chromosome. The X chromosome contains microRNAs that are important in regulating the body’s immune system. Also, since women have two X chromosomes, if there is a genetic mutation in one X chromosome, there would be a backup copy to compensate. Men do not have that benefit. Any genetic mutations in the X chromosome in males could seriously impair their immunity against sex-linked disorders such as hemophilia and muscular dystrophy.
Behavioral factors
1. Risky behaviors:
Men tend to be more competitive and engage in more risky behaviors that sometimes result in serious illness and death. Men also engage in unhealthy lifestyle choices like excessive smoking and alcohol consumption, exposing them to the risk of getting stroke, hypertension, heart disease, and road traffic accidents due to dangerous driving.
2. Stress and coping mechanisms:
Both men and women have the capacity to feel stress, but most studies show that women are more likely to develop healthier coping mechanisms compared with men. Men tend to hold more inside, while women have more friends and stronger social networks, which help modify stress. Men are also less likely to seek mental support services or to try stress-relieving techniques, such as yoga, which help clear and calm the mind, fight negativity, and improve mood.
3. Poor health-seeking behavior among men: Women tend to access health care more than men, and they are more likely to get regular checkups and have health insurance, which account for their frequent accessibility to health care. Due to women’s reproductive nature, they access health care in a compulsory manner when pregnant, which tends to improve their health as detectable abnormalities would be treated and they receive counseling on healthy lifestyles.
References:
1. Barrett-Connor, E. (2007). Sex differences in coronary heart disease: why are women so superior? The 1995 Ancel Keys Lecture. Circulation, 95(1), 252-264.
2. Gavrilova, N. S., & Gavrilov, L. A. (2014). Mortality from different external causes in the US population. Demographic Research, 30, 1249-1268.
3. Gavrilova, N. S., & Gavrilov, L. A. (2015). Why do women live longer than men? Gend Med, 12(2), 79-92.
4. Goldman, D., Glei, D. A., & Weinstein, M. (2018). Declining mental health among disadvantaged Americans. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(28), 7290-7295.
5. Kopp, M. S., Réthelyi, J., & Urbán, R. (2011). Psychological factors and cardiovascular diseases: the role of stress and psychosocial interventions in preventing cardiovascular diseases. Public Health Reviews, 33(2), 421-441.
6. Marmot, M. G., & Syme, S. L. (2005). Acculturation and coronary heart disease in Japanese-Americans. American Journal of Epidemiology, 122(3), 596-604.
7. Møller, A. P. (2009). Sex differences in longevity and aging. Aging Cell, 8(3), 275-284.
8. National Institute on Aging. (2011). Why women live longer than men. Retrieved from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/why-women-live-longer-men.
9. Perls, T. T., & Silver, M. H. (2013). Living to 100. Springer Science & Business Media.
10. Shetty, P. S. (2002). Nutrition transition in India. Public Health Nutrition, 5(1A), 175-182.
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