Helping You To Live Life!
Main Office Location
355 Waverley Street, Ottawa K2P 0W4
Give us a Call
+ 613 230-0998
Send us a Message
dom@completewellbeing.ca

Blog

HomeBlogNervous systemWomen’s Mental Health and Nervous System Insights
Women's Mental Health and Nervous System Insights
By Dominick Hussey 0 Comments Nervous system

Women’s Mental Health and Nervous System Insights


Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression, but less than 40% of mental health research includes women. This gap makes it harder to understand women’s mental health, especially the complexities of their nervous systems. Ignoring women’s experiences in research, particularly about menstrual cycles, leads to misdiagnosis and unanswered questions about their physical, emotional, and hormonal health.

This blog post will examine how the female nervous system works. Specifically, we will focus on a recent discussion with Elisabeth and Jennifer on the Trauma Rewired podcast and what the recent research has to say. They spoke with Veronica Rottman, the founder of Soma School and an expert in somatics and the female nervous system.

Table of contents

The Importance of Understanding Women’s Mental Health

The Gender Gap in Mental Health Research

Women face significantly higher rates of depression, yet mental health researchers often focus more on men (AAMA, 2024). Furthermore, this bias has created a significant gap in understanding how different factors affect women’s mental health. Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause can significantly influence a woman’s mood and emotional state. Moreover, societal expectations can put extra pressure on women, leading to stress and feelings of inadequacy (Avery Lane, 2024). Without investigating these issues more closely, we may consequently miss the complexities of women’s mental health needs, which can prevent them from receiving the proper support and treatment.

Societal Influences on Women’s Health

Evidently, from a young age, many women feel pressure from society that makes them ashamed of their bodies and emotions (The Guardian, 2016). This pressure comes from traditional beliefs about what it means to be feminine. In general, society often sees women’s natural emotional reactions as too much or inappropriate. Because of this, women may start to believe these opposing ideas, which can lead to a twisted view of their mental health. Consequently, the stigma around how women express their feelings can make them feel isolated (Prizeman K, 2023). They may think they must hide their emotions instead of sharing them openly. This cycle of shame and confusion can significantly harm their emotional well-being and create uncertainty about their identity and mental health. Accordingly, by talking openly about these societal pressures, we can help women accept their feelings and bodies without feeling ashamed.

The Female Nervous System: A Complex Landscape

Understanding the Female Nervous System

Veronica Rottman explains that the female nervous system is complex and has unique features that can significantly impact health and well-being. She points out that hormones, especially oxytocin and dopamine, are essential for emotional regulation and attachment styles.

Hormonal Influences: Oxytocin vs. Dopamine

Oxytocin, known as the “love hormone,” helps with bonding and emotional connections (Harvard Health, 2025). It is released during childbirth and breastfeeding, assisting mothers in bonding with their babies. It also plays a role in forming friendships and romantic relationships.

In contrast, dopamine is linked to motivation and pleasure in the brain’s reward system (Harvard Health, 2021). It gets released during enjoyable activities and encourages behaviours that bring satisfaction and joy. In summary, this neurotransmitter affects motivation, mood, and pleasure.

When these two hormones are out of balance, it can impact mental health significantly. For example, a lack of oxytocin can make it hard to form healthy attachments and may lead to feelings of loneliness. In contrast, irregular dopamine levels can contribute to mood disorders, addiction, and a lower ability to feel joy (Baskerville TA, 2010). Hence, understanding how these hormones work together is crucial for finding better ways to help women maintain their mental and emotional health.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

What is PMDD?

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It causes intense emotional and physical symptoms, such as strong mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and significant discomfort in the breasts and abdomen. These symptoms can be very disabling, significantly impacting a woman’s daily life, relationships, and overall well-being (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2025).

In general, people do not understand Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which is a condition that affects around 5-8% of menstruating women in Canada (Habib et al., 2024). This lack of understanding exists not just in the general public but also among healthcare workers. As a result, women may feel alone or dismissed when they seek help. PMDD is often underreported and misdiagnosed because its symptoms can look similar to those of other mood disorders, like depression and anxiety.

The symptoms of PMDD can be very different from one person to another, making it hard to diagnose. Some common symptoms are severe mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and physical pain. Further, these can easily be confused with regular premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or other mental health conditions. This confusion makes it difficult to identify and treat PMDD, especially since some healthcare providers may not fully recognize its unique traits and effects.

Raising awareness and educating people about PMDD is very important. For example, public health campaigns and training for medical professionals can help everyone understand this condition better. Consequently, by improving knowledge about PMDD, we can reduce the stigma surrounding it. Moreover, this will encourage those affected to share their experiences, leading to better diagnosis and treatment options for this challenging condition.

The Role of a Dysregulated Oxytocin System

Similarly, Veronica looks at how a problem with the oxytocin system affects emotional connections and feelings. Oxytocin, the “bonding hormone,” is essential for social interactions and building relationships. When the oxytocin system doesn’t work properly, people may struggle to form meaningful connections and manage emotions. Firstly, this issue can lead to increased feelings of shame and a strong need for perfectionism, which can worsen mental health problems. Secondly, individuals may feel trapped in a cycle of social isolation and emotional pain, making it hard to cope with life’s demands. Eventually, this affects their well-being and quality of life.

Societal Perceptions and the Pathology of Emotions

The Historical Suppression of Women’s Emotional Expression

The conversation also highlights how patriarchal systems have historically suppressed women’s emotional expression. This suppression contributes to the pathology of women’s emotions, subsequently leading to misdiagnoses and inadequate treatment options.

Toxic Shame: The Hidden Struggle

Likewise, many women deal with high levels of toxic shame. This shame comes from the societal pressures and cultural norms that tell women how they should look, behave, and succeed. Generally, these unrealistic standards often start at a young age. As a result, many women feel the need to be perfect, chasing an impossible and harmful ideal. This quest for perfection can lead to mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, and can even contribute to personality disorders like borderline personality disorder (Melrose S., 2011). Further, the constant pressure to meet these expectations makes women feel inadequate, creating a cycle of shame and dissatisfaction with themselves. To help women have healthier self-images and improve their mental well-being, it is crucial to address the root causes of toxic shame.

Challenging Outdated Norms

A Shift Towards Awareness

Significantly, there is a growing awareness and challenge to outdated norms surrounding women’s mental health (McLean Hospital, 2024). So, this shift is essential for uncovering the root causes of many health issues unique to the female nervous system.

The Importance of Community Support

Above all, creating supportive spaces where women can share their experiences is essential for healing. Accordingly, these spaces promote open conversations about mental health and help reduce societal stigma. By encouraging understanding and compassion, we can hence build a community where women feel safe to discuss their struggles and successes. This open dialogue not only helps individuals heal but also strengthens the collective strength of women, leading to a more supportive and informed society.

Conclusion: Embracing Women’s Mental Health

As we conclude, this in-depth exploration of the female nervous system and its intricate relationship with mental health, it therefore, becomes evident that a more nuanced understanding is essential. Moreover, the varying responses to stress, hormonal fluctuations, and biological differences between genders play significant roles in women’s mental health. Insights from experts such as Veronica Rottman shed light on these complexities, highlighting the need for research that is not only inclusive but also considers the unique experiences and health needs of women. Accordingly, this knowledge paves the way for a more comprehensive and informed approach to women’s health, ultimately empowering individuals to advocate for better care and support tailored to their needs.

Suppose you resonate with these topics and wish to delve deeper into the complexities of the female nervous system. In that case, we encourage you to tune into the entire episode featuring Veronica Rottman. Her healing journey and advocacy for women’s mental health are inspiring and informative.

Resources for Further Learning

References

Medical Disclaimer

The information on capitalosteopathy.ca is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The services provided by Capital Osteopathy are intended to complement, not replace, the relationship between you and your current healthcare providers. Individual results may vary, and no guarantees are made regarding specific outcomes. Using this website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this disclaimer and agree to its terms. If you disagree, please do not use this site.

Dominick Hussey

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *