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A woman needs care, attention, love…. but what you don’t need is stress, at least, not a lot of it. Stress sucks, especially for women. Men respond to stress better than women. Stress not only disrupts your life but also affects your skin and your overall health. It is probably one thing that you should work hard to decrease or eliminate from your life due to its possible significant effects.
Recent studies have shown that stress can affect nearly every system in the body. In fact, it can affect your health in more ways than you realize.
When your body is reacting to stressors, it releases hormones known as cortisol, which impact the digestive system, the immune system, your skin, and other parts of your body.
Stress can affect you physically and psychologically. It can lead to tension, anxiety, and even depression. Stress also increases your risk of problems such as
- accidents
- weight gain
- cancer
- asthma attacks
- poor digestion
- bowel disorders
- backache
- ulcers
- sexual dysfunction
- headaches
- high blood pressure
- eating disorder
- immune disorders
- infections
- heart attacks
- and many more
Like we mentioned above, women are more affected by stress than men. When you are stressed, you will experience symptoms that include one or more of the following:
- Poor memory
- feeling tense
- poor concentration
- distractibility
- hostility
- increased alcohol consumption
- depression
- excessive smoking or eating
If you are looking at what stress does to your body as a woman, this article will provide you with everything you need to know about how stress affects women.
Top Ways Stress Affects a Woman’s Body
1. Irregular Periods
Stress can cause an imbalance in the body’s hormone. As a woman, this usually results in missed, late, or irregular menstrual periods.
According to new research, women who have stressful jobs have a 50% higher risk for short cycle length (less than 24 days) than women who do not work in high-stress positions.
If your work is very stressful for you, you should consider changing a line of work.
2. Reduced Sex Drive
When you are stressed, your body releases a hormone known as cortisol. In some cases, this cortisol will suppress the body’s natural sex hormones.
Most women who have stressful jobs or stressful days usually have no desire for sex most times. Of course, there are cases where such a situation caused broken marriages.
Major life events such as starting a new job, moving to a new city, or the arrival of a new baby can cause stress and lower libido.
3. Weight Gain
If you want to lose weight, you should probably avoid stress. According to new research, high levels of cortisol in the body caused by stress contributes to a lower waist-to-hip ratio in women.
This simply means it causes women to gain more weight around the belly area. High cortisol levels have also been linked to a decreased metabolism.
Moreover, when you are stressed, you are likely to suffer from increased appetite as well as sugar cravings — both, which leads to weight gain.
4. Decreased Fertility
A study found that high levels of alpha-amylase, an enzyme-linked to stress, make it difficult for women to get pregnant.
The research found that women who have the highest concentration of this stress enzyme during their menstrual cycle were 12% less likely to get pregnant than those who have the lowest concentration of the enzyme.
If you are looking to increase your chance of conceiving, you should avoid stress.
5. Acne Breakouts
Suffering from acne breakouts could be as a result of stress. Stress causes your body to produce a high amount of cortisol, which can cause excess oil production.
A study found that most female college students experienced more acne breakouts during exam periods as a result of increased stress during this period.
6. Poor Digestion
Stress can affect your digestive system by increasing stomach acid. When this happens, you will experience indigestion as well as discomfort.
In fact, when this continues unabated, it can lead to the development of more severe problems such as IBS and ulcers. You need to significantly reduce your stress level if you want to maintain a healthy digestive system.
7. Premature Ageing
Have you ever ran into your mates and wonder why they look so young while you are looking so old? They have been able to significantly reduced stress.
Stress affects your skin and makes you look older than you are. If you want to look younger with young-looking skin, you should avoid stress.
Final Words
Stress is not a friend of women. You must avoid stress for the health of your mind and body. Do activities that will help you to reduce stress such as stretching, taking deep breaths, getting enough sleep, eating right, meditation, breaks, as well as vacations.
For more ways to decrease stress in your life, read 10 Ways to Decrease Stress.
-Shameka Renee
Results may vary. Information and statements made are for general purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Her Own Health does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Her Own Health are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
