The Longevity Gap: Why Women Live Longer Than Men

Women tend to outlive men–and by a pretty considerable margin, too. In the United States, women typically live to 80, while men generally average at around 75. This fact holds true across countries, income levels and even throughout the animal kingdom–so it isn’t just a result of modern living. Scientists consider it a “global phenomenon.”

Unfortunately, a longer lifespan isn’t always a good thing. What is most important to preserve is our healthspan. While women live longer than men, they often spend more of their later years dealing with health challenges like increased risk of frailty, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, especially after menopause, when protective hormones like estrogen decline. Longevity is a gift, but maintaining good health throughout those extra years is just as important!

A Genetic Advantage?

It is suspected that genetics may play a role in this phenomenon. In a 2018 study with genetically modified mice, scientists switched around different combinations of sex chromosomes to observe which sex would outlive the other. Unsurprisingly, the mice with two x chromosomes lived the longest, even though some had ovaries while others had testes. Alternatively, those with just one x chromosome had shorter lifespans, suggesting that the second x chromosome may contribute to some sort of biological advantage. While these studies have not been conducted on humans, the parallels between mouse and human biology suggest that these findings could apply to us as well. But regardless of our chromosome status, what alters our genetic code – epigenetics – could very well play an additional, important factor into shortening or widening the longevity gap between men and women. This is because epigenetics can chemically change our DNA due to lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, stress, and exposure to environmental toxins. They play a crucial role in how our cells renew, repair, and age over time.

Lifestyle and Behavior

When thinking about improving our healthspan, it is essential to think about lifestyle choices. Ultimately, these choices significantly influence both healthspan and lifespan. In general, though, women do tend to make healthier decisions than men – they are less likely to smoke, drink heavily, or engage in risky behaviors. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to take risks, work dangerous jobs, and experience violence, While these gender differences have been declining, they contribute to men’s shorter lifespans. Interestingly, women are also more likely to seek medical care and maintain strong social connections (“Tend and Befriend” behaviors), both of which contribute to longevity. This is a promising discovery because working on social connections is a practice both men and women can implement. It may also be more accessible than receiving healthcare in some underserved populations. Strong social ties have protective factors that can help children and adults develop resilience. They also help reduce perceived stress and prevent isolation, both of which are major risk factors for early death. Therefore, implementing better lifestyle factors like feeling connected to your local community, friends, or family can help to close the longevity gap.

Hormones: Estrogen’s Protective Power

In addition to lifestyle factors, hormones also play a critical role in aging. Estrogen specifically plays a key role in this advantage. A study on women undergoing medically induced menopause revealed that lower estrogen levels reduced the expression of antioxidant and longevity-related genes and decreased glutathione (the key antioxidant) in the blood. When they reintroduced estrogen, these protective genes became more active, and antioxidant levels were restored. Adding progesterone also provided additional benefits, enhancing gene expression linked to longevity. These findings suggest that as estrogen levels decline during menopause, the immune system weakens, leaving women more vulnerable to diseases that were previously less common in younger years. One study even found that women who entered menopause later—after age 50—and exhibited a delayed decrease in estrogen levels tended to live longer than those who experienced it earlier. Over time, they may even surpass men in the prevalence of certain age-related illnesses.

Conclusion

While women may have the advantage of longevity, the true goal isn’t just to live longer but to live better and healthier. Understanding the interplay between genetics, lifestyle, and hormones offers insight into extending both lifespan and healthspan. Although hormonal and genetic factors may seem more out of reach to control, choices surrounding diet, exercise, stress management, and social connections are just as important for maintaining health in later years. By prioritizing healthy habits, fostering strong relationships, and staying proactive about medical care–both men and women can work toward a future where longevity isn’t just about more years, but about better years, without requiring increasing amount of medical resources.