Question

Why women are shorter than men at maturity?

Answer 1

Estrogen and testosteron have multiple roles one of which is the closure of the epilhyseal plate. Now even though males and females both have estrogen and testosteron, their levels vary largely. Females tend to have a huge surge of estrogen during puberty and hence their bone growth ceases quickly.

In general, females are found to be shorter as they achieve their reproductive maturity (puberty) earlier than men. The increase in the levels of these gonadal hormones is what drives the closure of the bone plate.