Are there biological reasons why life expectancy is lower for men in most countries of the world?

Question

I've been checking life expectancy figures for men versus women in many countries of the world and the figures for men sometimes are terrifying. Countries like Russia have a 12 years gap in disfavor of men. Developed countries have usually a 4-5 years gap in disfavor of men. My country Argentina has a 7 years gap. African countries and middle east countries where supposedly women have a harder life because of religion have usually a 3 years gap in disfavor of men. So far I haven't found a single country where men lives more than women. Now I know there are more men than women who dies in homicides, suicides, work accidents, wars, etc. men are more likely to get addictions because of depression, etc. but aside of all that, is there any biological reason why men lives less than women everywhere?

Answer 1

Hello!

This answer is most likely social, psychological, and biological. For example, men are more likely to smoke and drink more compared to females, thus decreasing life expectancy. Males also tend to have riskier behaviors.

Biologically, females are less likely to get certain diseases, such as heart disease, due to estrogen. I would say that men are more able to get certain diseases/illnesses compared to women due testosterone. This hormone has been associated with accelerated aging.

Hope this Helps!