Woman

A woman is an adult, female human. When people talk about women, they may be using the word in terms of sex, gender roles, or both.

In terms of sex, women have primary and secondary sexual characteristics that differentiate them from men, including:

on average, lower height than men
wider in hips than in shoulders
enlarged breasts
vagina
less facial hair

After the onset of menarche, most women are able to become pregnant and bear children, which is the subject of obstetrics. The study of female reproduction and reproductive organs is called gynecology. Women generally reach menopause in their late 40s or early 50s, at which point they can no longer become pregnant.

The gender roles ascribed to women by society often differ from those assigned to men over a wide range of behaviours. In modern western society, more women than men wear clothing such as dresses, skirts, and high heels. Women are more likely to make use of plastic surgery and cosmetics. Women tend to cut their hair longer, and are more likely to dye it. The gender roles of men and women in society changed dramatically after the sexual revolution. Current gender roles are criticised by both the feminism movement and the masculism movement.

The general study of women at universities is pursued under the heading "women's studies." Presently that study is closely associated with feminism, sometimes even radical feminism. The study of the social and economic differences between the sexes is also closely related.