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\nStress is a reaction to a change or a challenge. In the short term, stress can be helpful. It makes you more alert and gives you energy to get things done. But long-term stress can lead to serious health problems. Women are more likely than men to report symptoms of stress, including headaches and upset stomach. Women are also more likely to have mental health conditions that are made worse by stress, such as depression or anxiety.1\">1
\nStress is how your body reacts to certain situations, such as sudden danger or long-lasting challenge. During stressful events, your body releases chemicals called hormones, such as adrenaline. Adrenaline gives you a burst of energy that helps you cope and respond to stress. For example, one kind of stress is the jolt you may feel when a car pulls out in front of you. This jolt of adrenaline helps you quickly hit the brakes to avoid an accident.
\nStress can range from mild and short-term to more extreme and long-lasting. Chronic (long-lasting) stress can affect your mental and physical health.
\nStress affects everyone differently. Some ways that chronic or long-term stress affects women include:
\nPeople can feel stress from many different things. Examples of common causes of short-term stress include:
\nExamples of common causes of long-term stress include:
\nOngoing, low-level stress can be hard to notice, but it can also lead to serious health problems. If you feel stressed, try these tips to help you manage your stress. If you need more help managing stress, talk to a doctor, nurse, or mental health professional.
\nSome of the health effects of stress are the same for men and women. For example, stress can cause trouble sleeping and weaker immune systems. But there are other ways that stress affects women.
\nPTSD is an illness that some people experience after going through trauma. PTSD can happen to someone who has lived through or witnessed a violent crime or war. It can also happen after a sudden traumatic event like a death of a loved one, physical or sexual abuse, or a severe car crash.
\nWomen are about twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. Some PTSD symptoms also are more common in women than in men. For example, women are more likely to:20\">20
\nLearn more about the symptoms and treatments for PTSD.
\nYes, studies show that women are more likely than men to experience symptoms of stress. Women who are stressed are more likely than men who are stressed to experience depression and anxiety.21\">21 Experts do not fully know the reason for the differences, but it may be related to how men\u2019s and women\u2019s bodies process stress hormones. Long-term stress especially is more likely to cause problems with moods and anxiety in women.22\">22
\nIt is normal to feel stressed during pregnancy. Your body and your hormones are changing, and you may worry about your baby and the changes he or she will bring to your life. But too much stress during pregnancy can hurt you and your baby\u2019s health.
\nStress during pregnancy can make normal pregnancy discomforts, like trouble sleeping and body aches, even worse. It can also lead to more serious problems, such as:
\nTalk to your doctor about your stress, and try these tips to help manage your stress. Learn about how stress affects breastfeeding too.
\nEveryone has to deal with stress at some point in their lives. You can take steps to help handle stress in a positive way.
\nFor more information about stress and your health, call the OWH Helpline at 1-800-994-9662 or check out the following resources from other organizations:
\nThis content is provided by the Office on Women's Health.
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