Everyone talks about dopamine being the magic feel-good hormone that is universal and works the same way for both men and women. But as women we need oxytocin maybe more than dopamine to feel good.

Dopamine and oxytocin are two of the four feel-good hormones that affect your mind, mood, and body along with serotonin and endorphins. They are also neurotransmitters, which means they carry messages across the spaces between nerve cells.

What is dopamine?

Dopamine is a hormone that supports feelings of reward and motivation. It is released when you achieve a goal, experience something pleasurable, or anticipate something exciting. Dopamine helps you focus, learn, and plan. It also plays a role in regulating movement, mood, memory, and sleep.

Dopamine is often associated with aggressive "male" behaviors, such as dominance, competition, and risk-taking. However, dopamine is not exclusive to men. Women also produce and use dopamine, but in different ways and for different purposes.

Psychiatrically speaking, dopamine related disorders such as schizophrenia, addiction, ADHD and autism are more common in men than in women.

What is oxytocin?

Oxytocin is a hormone that gives you a rush of pleasure from affection and connection. It is released when you hug someone, cuddle with a pet, or have an orgasm. Oxytocin helps you bond with others, trust others, and empathize with others. It also plays a role in regulating stress, anxiety, pain, and inflammation.

Studies have shown that women are more likely to experience chronic pain than men. And studies have shown that women are more likely to experience anxiety than men.

Oxytocin is often associated with receptive "female" and maternal behaviors, such as grooming, feeding, and nurturing. However, oxytocin is not exclusive to women. Men also produce and use oxytocin, but in different ways and for different purposes. For example, oxytocyn helps move sperm.

How do dopamine and oxytocin affect women?

Dopamine and oxytocin affect women in various ways throughout their lives. Here are some examples:

• During puberty, dopamine helps girls develop their sense of identity, self-esteem, and social skills.
• During menstruation, dopamine levels fluctuate along with estrogen and progesterone levels. This can affect mood, energy, appetite, and libido.
• During pregnancy, oxytocin helps women prepare for labor and delivery by stimulating uterine contractions and milk production.
• During childbirth, oxytocin helps women cope with pain and stress by creating a positive feedback loop between the brain and the uterus.
• During breastfeeding, oxytocin helps women bond with their babies by enhancing eye contact, skin-to-skin contact, and vocalization.
• During menopause, dopamine levels decline along with estrogen levels. This can affect mood, memory, cognition, and sexual function.

We need more affection and connection than men in order to feel good, but the world is design on a reward-based system, aggression and dominance which is the natural habitat for men.

Since we are little and enter the education system, it’s all about who is better, who is more competitive and who thrives under pressure and have better grades will be rewarded which is the “perfect” system for a male brain.

Same when you grow up. Constant competition for social status, pay, promotions, jobs, etc. The workspace lacks team connection (even though they pretend to be a team they are in constant competition to get the rewards), had little to no compassion and genuine friendships. This is not the right environment for a female brain and this is one of the reasons women experience more chronic pain and anxiety than men because we don’t have the environment to boost oxytocin. It’s all competition and reward based which secrets dopamine.

How can women balance dopamine and oxytocin levels?

Dopamine and oxytocin levels can be influenced by various factors, such as genetics, environment, lifestyle, diet, exercise, medication, and supplements. Here are some tips on how to balance dopamine and oxytocin levels naturally:

• Eat right. A balanced diet that includes protein, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and dark chocolate can provide the building blocks for dopamine and oxytocin production.
• Exercise regularly. Physical activity can boost dopamine levels by increasing blood flow to the brain and stimulating reward pathways. It can also boost oxytocin levels by reducing stress hormones and enhancing social interactions.
• Meditate daily. Meditation can increase dopamine levels by improving focus and attention. It can also increase oxytocin levels by promoting relaxation and compassion.
• Spend time with loved ones. Socializing with friends, family members, partners, or pets can increase oxytocin levels by triggering physical touch and emotional connection. It can also increase dopamine levels by providing positive feedback and reinforcement .

Dopamine and oxytocin are both important for women's well-being. By understanding how they work and how to balance them naturally, women can enhance their happiness, health, and relationships since the system is not very helpful in providing the environment.