Hormonal Cycles Make Women More Sensitive to Stress
Everyone is impacted by stress, but women tend to experience more mental and physical symptoms—and research suggests that hormones play a major role in this. Oestrogen and progesterone fluctuations, particularly during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, can intensify the stress response and increase a woman’s sensitivity to emotional stimuli.
The Cortisol Link: Enhanced Fight-or-Flight Response
The stress hormone cortisol is released by the brain in response to a threat. Research indicates that while under stress, women tend to create more cortisol than men and take longer to calm down. Women are more vulnerable to anxiety, sadness, and sleep disruptions because of these differences, which are exacerbated during hormonal changes.
The Two-Sided Function of Oestrogen
Estrogen, while protective for brain health, can enhance the sensitivity of the stress system, particularly in the amygdala—the brain’s fear center. This means emotional responses can be stronger and harder to regulate. Estrogen also impacts serotonin levels, which influence mood, appetite, and sleep—areas frequently disrupted by stress.
The Importance of Gender-Informed Mental Health Strategies
Treatment for mental health issues must acknowledge that biological and hormonal variations significantly influence stress reactions.
Targeted therapy, such as mindfulness, hormonal control, and counselling specific to stress-related hormone fluctuations, may be beneficial for women. Care that is more effective and compassionate may result from an understanding of this connection.
