Women More Prone To Brain Disorders Than Men?

Nearly two-thirds of patients diagnosed with brain disorders are women. Studies have shown estrogen is the major regulator of brain energy.

According to Mercy’s Ernestine A. Wright, M.D., FACP, a primary care doctor with background in geriatrics, women's brains are subject to varying levels of estrogen throughout life. Pregnancy and menopause make women more prone to certain types of diseases.

"We found that women are more likely to have problems with dementia -- the Alzheimer's type. Women are more prone to getting depression. Women, unfortunately, are at a higher risk of getting stroke. And women have also been shown to have a higher incidence of autoimmune conditions, like multiple sclerosis,"Dr. Wright said.

Women need to focus on improving brain health. For some, that may mean hormone replacement therapy in the perimenopausal phase. Dr. Wright observed that waiting until menopause is a little too late; she recommends regular exercise, eating properly, getting enough sleep and decreasing stress levels to help.

To view the interview of Dr. Ernestine Wright, Mercy Personal Physicians Downtown, regarding women’s brains and vulnerability to disease, click here.