Her brain, her research: understanding gender in neuroscience

Women’s brains are just as complex as men’s, yet for years, science largely ignored them.

For decades, scientific and medical studies often defaulted to using male subjects, from lab rats to human participants. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) even reported that as of 2014, a staggering 80% of animal studies in neuroscience were conducted exclusively on males. This created a significant gap in understanding how biology and disease can affect men and women differently. The assumption was that, aside from reproductive organs, what worked for one sex would work for the other.

This oversight meant that our knowledge of the human brain was primarily based on the male brain. The female brain, with its unique hormonal cycles and genetic expressions, was often treated as an outlier. Thankfully, that’s changing. Researchers are now digging into these differences, revealing fascinating insights into everything from mental health to how we process pain. It’s a whole new frontier in understanding what makes us tick, and the findings are reshaping medicine.

The Mood and Anxiety Connection

It’s a common observation that women are diagnosed with anxiety and depression at higher rates than men. But this isn’t just a social phenomenon; it has deep roots in brain chemistry and structure. Research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that brain regions, such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, which manage emotions and stress, can function differently between the sexes. These differences appear to be influenced by sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone.

Fluctuations in these hormones during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause can directly impact neurotransmitter levels, such as serotonin and dopamine. These are the brain’s “feel-good” chemicals, and when their levels change, it can affect mood regulation. This hormonal influence on brain chemistry helps explain why women may be more susceptible to mood disorders at certain life stages.

Research Insight: A study published in Biological Psychiatry by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)found that during certain phases of the menstrual cycle, women’s brains showed a heightened response to negative emotional stimuli. This suggests that hormonal shifts can temporarily increase the brain’s sensitivity to stress, providing a biological basis for premenstrual mood changes.

How Pain is Processed Differently

Have you ever wondered why some conditions, like migraines and fibromyalgia, are far more common in women? The answer might lie in how male and female brains perceive pain. Research by the National Institutes of Health(NIH) indicates that the brain’s opioid system, which is our natural pain-relief network, responds differently in women. Estrogen can both increase and decrease pain sensitivity depending on its levels.

This means that a woman’s experience of pain can change throughout her menstrual cycle. For instance, the National Institutes of Health(NIH) studies show that women report more intense pain during phases when estrogen levels are low. Furthermore, brain imaging studies reveal that men and women sometimes use different neural pathways to process pain signals, which could explain why some pain medications are more effective for one sex than the other.

Pro Tip: Because women often experience pain differently, it’s helpful to track symptoms in a journal. Note the intensity, type of pain, and where you are in your menstrual cycle. This information can help your doctor identify patterns and find more effective treatment strategies tailored to your unique biology.

The Brain on Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is not an equal-opportunity offender. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly two-thirds of Americans living with the disease are women. For a long time, this was attributed simply to the fact that women live longer than men on average. However, new research suggests that specific biological factors may increase the female brain’s vulnerability to certain conditions.

Studies from leading institutions, including Harvard Medical School research, are exploring the role of genetics and hormones. For example, the APOE4 gene, a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s, appears to have a more substantial impact on women than on men. Additionally, the sharp decline in estrogen during menopause is believed to affect the brain’s energy metabolism, potentially leaving it more vulnerable to the changes that lead to Alzheimer’s.

Tip: Engaging in mentally stimulating activities is a great way to build cognitive reserve, which is the brain’s ability to withstand damage and maintain its function. Activities such as learning a new language, playing a musical instrument, or solving complex puzzles can help strengthen neural connections and support long-term brain health.

Sleep, Hormones, and the Female Brain

Getting a good night’s sleep can feel like a challenge for anyone, but women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience insomnia. The CDC highlights this disparity, and the reasons are closely tied to hormonal fluctuations. The shifts in estrogen and progesterone that occur monthly and during significant life events, such as pregnancy and menopause, can disrupt the body’s sleep-wake cycle.

Progesterone, for instance, has a sleep-promoting effect, so when its levels drop before a period, sleep can become more difficult. During perimenopause and menopause, night sweats caused by changing hormone levels can frequently interrupt sleep. These biological factors indicate that women’s sleep patterns are often less stable than those of men, necessitating a distinct approach to sleep hygiene.

Research Insight: PubMed Central features studies showing that even the structure of circadian rhythm—the body’s internal 24-hour clock—can differ slightly between men and women. On average, a woman’s internal clock may operate on a somewhat shorter cycle, which can influence her sleep patterns and even her susceptibility to sleep disorders.

Learning and Memory Differences

Memory performance appears to operate independently, influenced by sex and hormones. Research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that women tend to outperform men in specific memory tasks, particularly verbal memory and word recall. Scientists believe that estrogen enhances synaptic connectivity in regions critical for memory, like the hippocampus.

This advantage is particularly evident during reproductive years, when estrogen levels are higher. Interestingly, when estrogen drops during menopause, those same memory strengths can temporarily wane. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has flagged that postmenopausal women sometimes report more “brain fog” or memory lapses, suggesting a direct link between hormones and memory function.

Immune Response and Brain Health

It turns out that the female brain’s relationship to the immune system is different from what has been found in men. National Institutes of Health (NIH) researchers highlight that women mount stronger immune responses than men, which means greater protection against infections but also a higher risk for autoimmune conditions that can affect brain health, such as multiple sclerosis. Estrogen and other sex hormones influence how the immune system communicates with the brain.

This stronger immune response plays a role in healing and brain resilience, but it also means women face unique risks for neuroinflammatory diseases. Understanding these differences helps scientists explore new ways to support brain health through targeted therapies for different sexes.

Pro Tip: Mayo Clinic recommends regular exercise and a diverse diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids as simple habits that can reduce inflammation and support both brain and immune system health.

6 tips for successful weight loss for women in 2025

6 Tips For Successful Weight Loss For Women in 2025

Successful weight loss for women often calls for an individualized approach, taking into consideration the unique physiological, psychological, and lifestyle factors that influence a woman’s weight. It’s not just about adopting a generic calorie-restricted diet or a strenuous exercise regime. Instead, it encompasses a holistic view of health, including balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and stress management.

In this article, we will walk you through a step-by-step guide to help you on your fitness journey and discuss how Ozempic may benefit your weight loss routine.