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April 29, 2024—Stress isn't just a feeling—it has consequences for your physical and mental health. And while stress affects everyone, its effects can be especially serious in women.

Stress affects women differently

Stress is a natural reaction to danger and challenges, including everyday events like a traffic jam or a work deadline. When an event happens, your body triggers a fight-or-flight response, pumping out chemicals that give you the jolt you need to act fast and get back to safety.

That fight-or-flight reaction happens more readily in women—and it tends to stay active for longer.

Scientists are still working to understand the cause, but, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, the difference may come down to chemistry. Estrogen and progesterone play a role, as does a stress hormone called corticotropin-releasing hormone (previously known as corticotropin-releasing factor), which women tend to be more sensitive to. Further, women's brains may be slower to process serotonin, which affects the brain's response to stress and anxiety.

Stress and women's health

Over time, stress can have serious health effects, especially for women. According to the American Heart Association and other experts, stress in women has been linked to:

• Headaches. Stress-induced tension leads to headaches and other body aches and pains. Tension headaches are common in women.
• Weight gain. Stress-related weight gain is a bigger risk for women than for men. Stress triggers your body to release excess cortisol, a hormone that can lead to overeating and fat storage.
• Digestive disorders. Over the short term, stress can cause stomach upset, including diarrhea and vomiting. It can also bring on gas and bloating. But when stress is a constant, it can cause irritable bowel syndrome, which is twice as common in women as in men.
• Heart problems. Stress may have greater negative effects on heart health in women younger than 50 who have a history of heart problems. Increased stress can raise blood pressure, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
• Menstrual and fertility problems. When stress persists for a long time, it can disrupt the menstrual cycle, causing irregular periods or making premenstrual syndrome worse. It can also make it harder to get pregnant.

Self-care can help

Stress can't always be avoided, but managing it can help you stay healthy. Healthy habits—like eating right, sleeping well and exercising—can go a long way.

Start with this quick self-assessment to see how well your self-care routine helps you cope. And if chronic stress is an issue in your daily life, seek help from a psychologist or other mental health professional.

Sources

• American Heart Association. "Women and Stress." https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/women-and-stress.
• American Psychological Association. "Stress Won't Go Away? Maybe You Are Su?ering From Chronic Stress." https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/chronic.
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America. "Facts." https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/women/facts.
• Office on Women's Health. "Stress and Your Health." https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/good-mental-health/stress-and-your-health.