Why Do Women Live Longer Than Men?

Why Do Women Live Longer Than Men? The belief that women live longer than men has taken place in many societies. Besides that, this has been a result from a belief and a result shown by statistics. So how do scientific studies support this argument? What are the characteristics that make women live longer in general? Among humans, women's life expectancy is about 8% longer than men's. Women usually live longer than men for a variety of reasons. Some of these reasons may be biological and some may be social and/or cultural. Let's take a look at the factors underlying this cause together. Biological Differences One reason women live longer is their biological structure. In general, the risk of women to certain diseases is less compared to men. As a result of the researches, it was seen that women having 2 X chromosomes gave women an advantage. Eileen M., President of the AARP of Gerontology at the University of Southern California, USC Davis School of Gerontology. The article, written by Crimmins and his colleagues, found a second X to compensate for a mutation in women, while it was explained that it was not found in men. Asymmetrical maternal inheritance of mitochondria can create harmful mutations in men and cause sexual dimorphism in the aging process. While this situation creates a disadvantage for men to live a long life, it gives women an advantage. Women usually have a stronger immune system. It is less prone to certain diseases such as heart diseases and various types of cancer than men. Similarly, heart diseases are one of the causes of death in men. In addition, the risk of creating high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which is one of the risk factors that trigger heart disease and stroke, is lower in women. The fact that women have a stronger immune system helps them fight more effectively against infections and diseases. Hormonal Differences Women have higher levels of estrogen, which can produce some protective effects against certain types of diseases and conditions. Additionally, testosterone, found in both men and women, has been associated with certain types of cancer and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle Factor In many societies, women have a greater tendency to seek medical care, seek medical attention when necessary, and adhere to medical advice than men. In addition, women are more likely to prioritize their health, exercise and engage in healthy behaviors such as eating healthy. In addition to these factors, women can have a wider social support network. This situation benefits women in terms of biological and psychological health. The fact that women have social relationships in general helps women cope with stress as well as providing emotional support. This can help reduce the negative effects of stress on their physical and mental health. In general, it is clear that there are several factors that contribute to the fact that women tend to live longer than men. Some of these factors are biological, while others consist of lifestyle or hormonal differences. Considering these factors, it can be understood with a scientific explanation that women live longer and healthier than men.