Scientific studies have shown that of They are stronger, biologically speaking. Nowadays, although women are still socially disadvantaged, in terms of health, they are generally in better shape than men. hombres. The life expectancy of men is between 75 and 80 years, while that of women is between 80 and 85 years.
female embryos Females generally develop more rapidly during gestation, while the male embryo takes longer to develop in the uterus. For some doctors, this slower process leads to incomplete development of the organs that tend to die earlier. In addition, the baby boys They are between 20 and 30 percent more likely to die in the last stage of pregnancy and 14 percent more likely to be born prematurely, according to recent studies. Men tend to expose themselves to more dangerous situations. They generally make more reckless mistakes and take more risks than women. According to some experts, this difference is also linked to brain development: frontal lobe, the part responsible for calculating risks, develops more slowly in men than in women.
Diseases and hormonal differences
One of the reasons that explains why the of Women tend to live longer than men, due to the later onset of cardiovascular diseases. While men face these problems from the age of 30 or 40, women experience these types of diseases a decade later, thanks to the protection provided by the menstruation and female hormones such as estrogenEstrogen not only influences sexual development but also has protective properties for the cardiovascular system, acting as an antioxidant and contributing to stronger, more flexible arteries, thus reducing the risk of heart problems. During the menopauseAs women begin to lose this biological advantage, their vulnerability to diseases such as hypertension or heart attack increases. However, although women develop these diseases later in life, the reality is that they also get sick more often, especially in old age. The rate of diseases such as arthritis, osteoporosis and dementia is higher in women. However, these diseases are not as lethal as those that tend to affect men more, such as certain types of cancer and heart disease.
Cultural and social factors
Interestingly, the female longevity not only is it influenced by biological factors, but also by social and cultural factors. Women tend to build stronger social networks and maintain deeper interpersonal relationships. According to some studies, maintaining these relationships friendship over time is key to a higher quality of life and greater longevityThe caregiving role that many women assume also seems to influence their longevity. Women who tend to care for their loved ones, including their children and, in some cases, their elderly parents, develop a longer lifespan. resilience and a fighting mentality in the face of adversity, which often translates into a longer life expectancy compared to that of men.
Biological factors: chromosomes and hormones
One of the biological explanations for the increased life expectancy of women It’s their chromosomal makeup. Women have two X chromosomes, while men have one X and one Y. This extra X chromosome in women acts as a kind of “genetic backupThis means that if one gene on the X chromosome has a defect, the other can compensate. In contrast, men do not have this advantage, making them more vulnerable to genetic diseases. This contributes to higher mortality rates among male embryos before birth, according to various analyses. Furthermore, males are more likely to be born prematurely or with more complications during delivery. The role of the hormones is also key. Estrogens not only protect blood vessels, but also help eliminate bad cholesterol, which can cause heart disease. On the contrary, testosterone In men it is associated with a higher risk of hypertension and cardiovascular problems.
The impact of lifestyle and behavior
El risk behavior Men’s health also plays a significant role in the difference in longevity. According to studies, the male mortality rate increases dramatically during adolescence, when testosterone levels peak. Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, fighting, and high-speed driving, among other risky activities, increase the likelihood of accidents and premature death in men. Furthermore, another important difference is that men tend to go to the doctor less often than women, delaying the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that could be prevented or treated in time. Women, on the other hand, tend to be more proactive in their health care and usually follow medical recommendations to the letter. In recent decades, although men have improved their health habits, it is estimated that the difference in life expectancy between men and women will remain significant. Analyses predict that by 2030, Men will increase their life expectancy, but women will continue to live slightly longer, although the gender gap Biological differences will reduce longevity. In the workplace, another contributing factor is that for centuries, men have been more exposed to hazardous jobs and situations of extreme stress, which has impacted their mortality. Therefore, although biological differences have a significant impact on longevity, it is clear that lifestyle, health habits, and social behaviors play an equally crucial role. The interaction between these factors means that women, on average, continue to live longer than men. While female longevity is influenced by many factors, the combination of biology, genetics, hormones, and lifestyle seems to give them an advantage in terms of life expectancy. While men are beginning to close the gap thanks to improved health habits, women are likely to continue to have a longer life expectancy for decades to come.