Stress response: Sex differences

Numerous studies have described sex differences in hormonal and behavioral responses to stressors. In laboratory animals, the hormonal reactivity to a stressor has been shown to be greater in females, whereas behavioral responses are more severe in males. Such observations are attributed to sex differences either in the inherent physiological regulation of stress reactivity and/or in higher order circuits related to coping strategies and stress perception. Sex steroids act during development and adulthood to contribute to these sex differences. In humans, gender differences in stress reactivity are more complex, but are also modulated by gonadal steroids. Females tend to show greater responses to social interaction stressors, while males have greater responses to those involving achievement.