title: Stress, stress response, and health.
abstract: Components of stress and the stress response differ between men and women. The tend-and-befriend response, mediated by oxytocin and endogenous opioids, may be more applicable to women than the fight-or-flight response, which was based largely on studies of men. Even within the flight-or-flight response pattern there are sex-based differences. The HPA axis interacts with reproductive function, such as menstruation. For immune function there are sex differences as well as differences within the menstrual phase. Inclusion of men and women in stress response studies is critical. Further study is needed to clarify the influence of ovarian hormones on the stress and immune responses during the reproductive stages in women's lives, including menarche. pregnancy, and perimenopause.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, University of Washington School of Nursing, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 357266, Seattle, WA 98195-7266, USA. underhil@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Sandra Adams
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Motzer
authors.forename: Vicky
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hertig
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D005790:General Adaptation Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology; D008016:Life Change Events; D018847:Opioid Peptides / Q000502:physiology; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000502:physiology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology; D011598:Psychoneuroimmunology; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012919:Social Behavior; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D018847:Opioid Peptides; D010121:Oxytocin