A person with bipolar disorder can experience intense changes in their mood and behavior. Some symptoms of this disorder can affect females differently than males.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes rapid mood shifts, usually cycling from an extremely high mood (known as mania) to depression.
According to some research, it affected around 46 million people worldwide in 2017, and it seems to be increasing.
Males and females can experience symptoms differently.
For example, pregnancy and the hormonal changes that accompany it can cause mood shifts in people without mental health conditions. If you have bipolar disorder, these hormonal changes can worsen your symptoms and increase your risk of postpartum psychosis.
Understanding the basic symptoms of bipolar disorder is the first step in learning how it differs in people of different sexes. The main symptoms include:
Knowing how bipolar disorder affects people differently can help you manage your condition in a way that works for you.
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article uses the terms “female” and “women” when discussing people who are assigned female at birth to reflect language that appears in source materials.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder in women
Bhumika Bhatia/Getty Images
To receive a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, you need to experience at least one episode of mania or hypomania. This is a high energy mood with symptoms that include:
feeling jumpy or irritated
experiencing an elevated feeling of self-worth
needing less sleep
having lots of energy
Some symptoms of bipolar disorder can happen more often in women than in men. Some of these symptoms include:
Hypomania: This is a less severe form of mania. During a hypomanic episode, you may feel energized, like during a manic episode, but less intensely. Hypomanic episodes do not affect your ability to function. Women with bipolar disorder are more likely to experience hypomania than men, according to Office on Women’s Health (OWH).
Depressive episodes: According to OWH, episodes of major depression, where you experience sadness or hopelessness lasting at least a week, can affect your daily life. Depressive symptoms are more likely to occur in women than men.
Rapid cycling: Rapid cycling is when you experience four or more episodes of depression and mania within 1 year. Symptoms of rapid cycling in bipolar disorder are more likely to develop in women than in men.
Mixed mania: As well as experiencing separate depressive and manic symptoms, people with bipolar disorder can experience both types of symptoms at the same time. During a mixed episode, you can experience both manic and depressive symptoms within 1 day. Women are more likely to experience mixed mania than men.
Seasonal symptoms: If you’re a woman with bipolar disorder, you may be more at risk of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This is where your depressive symptoms may worsen during the fall and winter.
Other conditions: Women with bipolar disorder are more likely to experience other health conditions alongside bipolar disorder. For example, women with bipolar disorder have a higher likelihood of experiencing migraine attacks compared with the rest of the population.
Hormonal changes that happen in a woman’s body can affect the severity of bipolar disorder. Symptoms can worsen during the menstrual cycle just before bleeding begins (the premenstrual stage). Hormonal changes can also affect how well certain medications for bipolar disorder work.
You may consider speaking with a healthcare professional if you don’t feel like your medications are working for you.
100% online care
Treatment plans in 15 minutes or less for 40+ conditions.
Most people with bipolar disorder tend to experience similar symptoms, regardless of sex or gender. However, some differences can be found relting to the following categories.
Age of symptom onset
Symptoms of bipolar disorder usually begin at a later age in women than in men. According to International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), on average, men begin showing signs of bipolar disorder at the age of 22 years. And women typically have an onset of symptoms at around 25 years of age.
Mania
Initial symptoms of bipolar disorder are more often the result of mania rather than a depressive episode. Women are more likely to initially show depressive symptoms.
Episodes of mania are more common in men, whereas women are more likely to experience depressive episodes. According to IBPF, men going through periods of mania are more likely to show signs of aggression than women.
Depressive episodes
Usually, men experience fewer depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder than women. And when they do experience depressive episodes, it can appear as irritability rather than sadness.
Comorbidities
One 2018 study found that women in the United States are at an increased risk of other conditions appearing at the same time (comorbidities) with bipolar disorder compared with men. This includes physical health conditions, such as hypertension and asthma, as well as mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorders.
Pregnancy and childbirth
A form of bipolar disorder known as bipolar postpartum depression can affect pregnant people after giving birth. Some research has found that, of all women diagnosed with postpartum depression, as many as 54% met the criteria for bipolar disorder, but only 10% had been previously diagnosed with it.
Additionally, as per the same research, pregnancy is a high risk time for relapse of bipolar symptoms, ultimately worsening the condition.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing bipolar disorder can be difficult because many of its symptoms can happen with other conditions too. It can be particularly difficult in women because of the reproductive hormonal changes they go through. For example, symptoms of bipolar disorder in women can appear very similar to premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
A healthcare professional will use a physical examination to eliminate any other possible causes for your symptoms, such as existing conditions and medications. Your medical and family history is also important to consider when seeking a diagnosis.
It may be a good idea to bring a close friend or family member along with you, as they may be able to provide insight into your behaviors that you don’t notice.
Treatment
There are ways you can effectively manage your symptoms. The treatments a healthcare professional may suggest will depend on your specific situation and needs.
Free prescription coupons
Seriously … free. Explore prices that beat the competition 70% of the time.
Lithium is a common treatment for bipolar disorder and is often the first-line medication. It helps stabilize your moods and can be used as a long-term treatment option. Lithium can generally be used during pregnancy, but you should always consult with a healthcare professional.
However, certain medications may not be suitable for people who are pregnant. For example, the mood stabilizer valproic acid carries a risk to an unborn baby. If you can become pregnant, you should avoid taking this medication unless you’re using contraception.
If you have bipolar disorder and are trying to become pregnant, you can speak with a healthcare professional about how to manage your symptoms safely.
If you need help covering the cost of medications, Optum Perks’ free Discount Card could help you get up to 80% off prescription medication. See how much you can save on your medication here.
Therapeutic methods
There are many other methods of managing bipolar disorder symptoms, including:
By working with a healthcare professional, you can find the right combination of treatments for your specific circumstances.
Summary
Bipolar disorder affects both men and women, but the symptoms can appear slightly differently in each. The reproductive hormones in a woman’s body can influence the severity and type of symptoms you feel.
By working with a healthcare professional to create the best treatment plan for you and your situation, it’s possible to manage symptoms effectively.
