More Than Hormones: Understanding Women’s Mental Health

For a long time, women experiencing mental health challenges were portrayed in mainstream discourse as “crazy”, “unstable”, or simply “hysterical”. According to the American Psychological Association Dictionary, the term hysteria originates from the Greek word hystera (“uterus”), reflecting early erroneous and deeply derogatory beliefs that such conditions were exclusive to women.

Although society and science have made significant progress towards less stigmatising perspectives, these ideas continue to linger. Many women are still perceived as overreacting or unable to regulate their emotions when they experience mental health symptoms.

An isolating experience

This ongoing bias often leads to experiences of invalidation. Many women report feeling dismissed or unheard when they express feelings of isolation, distress, irritability, or loneliness. These experiences are frequently intertwined with physical and hormonal changes, which can make it even more challenging for others to respond with genuine understanding rather than judgement.

Hormonal transitions such as those occurring during pregnancy, the postnatal period, or perimenopause can have a profound impact on how women experience the world and themselves. These changes can influence self-esteem, reactivate past conflicts, and contribute to significant emotional distress. When there is a history of trauma or pre-existing mental health concerns, these life stages can further intensify symptoms.

Importantly, many women may not fully understand what is happening to them, nor feel confident about when or how to seek support. This highlights the critical importance of awareness and clear communication among healthcare professionals. Recognising the role that hormonal fluctuations play in mood and cognitive functioning can be a vital step in supporting women through these challenging experiences.

These times of transition and vulnerability may also surface unresolved or previously suppressed traumatic experiences. Such experiences can shape how women cope with distress, anger, irritability, and mood fluctuations, often making it more difficult to access adaptive coping strategies.

Complicating factors

However, it is not only hormonal changes that impact women’s mental health. Chronic pain, such as that experienced in conditions like endometriosis can significantly affect emotional wellbeing and day-to-day functioning. It can limit the ability to engage in everyday activities such as exercise, work, study, or intimacy.

Living with a body that feels unpredictable or “not functioning as expected” can deeply affect a woman’s sense of self and contribute to feelings of hopelessness. It is therefore essential to acknowledge the broader, holistic impact of chronic pain and to challenge the normalisation of what should not be considered normal, such as ongoing menstrual pain.

Advocating for holistic care

As a psychologist working closely with women across different stages of life, I strongly advocate for women’s mental health to be prioritised within healthcare systems. Adopting a multidimensional approach, one that avoids judgement or patronising attitudes, allows us to create supportive, empathetic, and transformative spaces where women feel heard, understood, and genuinely supported in their wellbeing.

How we can help

You, or someone you care for, may be experiencing difficulties with navigating mental health challenges, this may be made more difficult by being coupled with chronic pain, or past trauma, or other factors. Myndful can provide you with the support you need to navigvate and unravel, the compounding factors, and understand how you are feeling. Contact Myndful to talk about your needs and make a connection with a Psychologist that can help.