The Women's Brain Book: The neuroscience of health, hormones and happiness

by Sarah McKay

For women, understanding how the brain works during the key stages of life - in utero, childhood, puberty and adolescence, pregnancy and motherhood, menopause and old age - is essential to their health. Dr Sarah McKay is a neuroscientist who knows everything worth knowing about women's brains, and shares it in this fascinating, essential book.

This is not a book about the differences between male and female brains, nor a book using neuroscience to explain gender-specific behaviours, the 'battle of the sexes' or 'Mars-Venus' stereotypes. This is a book about what happens inside the brains and bodies of women as they move through the phases of life, and the unique - and often misunderstood - effects of female biology and hormones.

Dr McKay give insights into brain development during infancy, childhood and the teenage years (including the onset of puberty) and also takes a look at mental health as well as the ageing brain. The book weaves together findings from the research lab, case studies and interviews with neuroscientists and other researchers working in the disciplines of neuroendocrinology, brain development, brain health and ageing.

This comprehensive guide explores the brain during significant life stages,
In utero
Childhood
Puberty
The Menstrual Cycle
The Teenage Brain
Depression and Anxiety
Pregnancy and Motherhood
Menopause
The Ageing Brain

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Womens, Self Help, Mental Health, Brain, Science

356 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 27, 2018

Reviews

[Olwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent text to help any woman understand how her brain functions. Also explains what is known about the effect of hormones on the female brain. Explores the brain and female sexuality, and how the female brain functions in different life stages (puberty, pregnancy, menopause). Finally, addresses the aging brain, and suggests methods for helping stave off dementia based on neuroscience.

Recommended reading for any woman seeking to understand her own thinking and mood, and who wants to optimise her brain health.

[Katie McWeeney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would include this book in the beginning of a Women's Health survey class. It includes a great overview of neuroscience, hormones, and their effects over a woman's lifespan.

However, McKay completely misses acknowledgement of women that do not (whether by choice or otherwise) bear children, which leaves the book lacking in information for an entire group. This book also lacks information regarding birth control use, but focuses quite a bit of time on HRT (hormone replacement therapy.)

The Women's Brain is a decent read for women that want to understand the biological changes our bodies undergo in puberty, midlife, and menopause, with a brief call to action for our aging brains. For a more in-depth understanding of the aging brain, I recommend XX Brain by Dr. Lisa Mosconi as a follow up.

[Nish · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had far less neuroscience than I expected it would. It's very much a book for someone who has absolutely no knowledge of the human body/brain. And it could use a better editor - there is way too much fluff. Stories that are meant to illustrate scientific points often go on for too long take up probably up to half of the book.

[zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! It really delves into the technical physiology of the female brain while still engaging non-neuro scientists. I thought it was a brave book, as many scientists are unwilling to acknowledge any differences between the male and female brains despite the evidence. Feminist reader here, and I loved it!

[Adrianka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuuu.... And I thought I am crazy. If I still am, at least I am not the only one apparently. And I have a quiet good justification. Recommending as a read for anyone sharing, living, being married to, working with, not understanding, wanting to understand the woman's world.

[Brook · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book offered surprisingly little that I didn’t already know, and the author’s presentation of research seemed problematic in parts. Perhaps this writer aimed for accessibility over depth of coverage or freshness of insights.

[Courtney Fong · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars! Read this one for book club and I’m gonna be honest, I had to push myself to read it. I liked the format but the research didn’t feel particularly new or eye opening to me.

I wonder if this book would have been more impactful if I have had experienced pregnancy and child birth.

[Allison O'Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some very interesting finds in this book. Lots to think about.

[Cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're an anything, read this book.

[Nella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction for we lay people

[Madeline · Rating 1 out of 5]

basic information and fairly irritating tone.

[Tanya Boulter · Rating 3 out of 5]

As fascinating as this was it was just too heavy to continue... and I dont mean weight I mean content