Am I dealing with defensive people, or am I just being an A hole?

Sup my jellies :) missed you guys! Ok so I am a pretty good communicator and I am very conscious of what I say out of respect of another persons feelings and boundaries. But, I have yet to figure out how to effectively communicate with defensive people. My best friends consist of mostly awesome girls who are there for me at all times and I understand they are sensitive, but in an argumentitive situation or an exchange of opinions I have to be careful because I can piss them off really fast. See its more than one girl I talk to that is like this, I have to kind of hold advice or opinions because they feel I am attacking them. I don’t even know if its just the fact I am a guy giving them advice that they become defensive because I haven’t seen how they act with a woman giving them advice. I just wish I could be myself around them without feeling like I’m walking on eggshells. Any advice?