#992 - Dr Sarah Hill - The Period Brain: How Hormones Change Women’s Behaviour | Modern Wisdom

In this episode of Modern Wisdom, Chris interviews Dr. Sarah Hill about her book, "The Period Brain," exploring the science and evolutionary reasons behind the menstrual cycle's impact on women's brains and behavior. Dr. Hill explains the distinct phases of the cycle, driven by estrogen and progesterone, and how they influence attraction, mate selection, energy levels, and social sensitivity. They discuss the adaptive reasons for PMS, the impact of hormonal birth control on women's mental health and relationships, and the broader implications of ignoring sex differences in science and medicine. The conversation also touches on the potential effects of suppressed female fertility on men's testosterone levels and the challenges women face in a workforce designed around male hormonal patterns.

Outlines

Sign in to continue reading, translating and more.

Continue

#992 - Dr Sarah Hill - The Period Brain: How Hormones Change Women’s Behaviour

Modern Wisdom

Introduction to the Menstrual Cycle and its Evolutionary Significance

The Two Phases of the Menstrual Cycle and Their Impact on the Brain and Body

Adaptive Reasons Behind the Menstrual Cycle's Phases

Testosterone as a Marker of Good Genes and the Ovulatory Shift Hypothesis

Testing Female Attractiveness and Summarizing the Two Phases

Adaptive Behavior in the Second Half of the Cycle

Shifts in Social Behavior and the Nature of Sex Across the Cycle

Emotional Entanglements and the Disconnect with PMS

Hormonal Differences Between Men and Women and the Male Standard

Understanding the Cycle and the Impact of the Pill

The Pill's Effects on Mood and Relationship Satisfaction

The Pill as an Unexamined Mental Health Experiment and its Impact on Men

The Modern Work Environment and the Denial of Sex Differences

Modern Feminism and the Soft Bigotry of Male Expectations

The Understudied Nature of Women's Health and Implications

The Importance of Understanding the Second Half of the Cycle and Conclusion

#992 - Dr Sarah Hill - The Period Brain: How Hormones Change Women’s Behaviour

Modern Wisdom

00:00Introduction to the Menstrual Cycle and its Evolutionary Significance

Introduction to the Menstrual Cycle and its Evolutionary Significance

05:23The Two Phases of the Menstrual Cycle and Their Impact on the Brain and Body

The Two Phases of the Menstrual Cycle and Their Impact on the Brain and Body

12:27Adaptive Reasons Behind the Menstrual Cycle's Phases

Adaptive Reasons Behind the Menstrual Cycle's Phases

16:09Testosterone as a Marker of Good Genes and the Ovulatory Shift Hypothesis

Testosterone as a Marker of Good Genes and the Ovulatory Shift Hypothesis

24:24Testing Female Attractiveness and Summarizing the Two Phases

Testing Female Attractiveness and Summarizing the Two Phases

30:23Adaptive Behavior in the Second Half of the Cycle

Adaptive Behavior in the Second Half of the Cycle

35:55Shifts in Social Behavior and the Nature of Sex Across the Cycle

Shifts in Social Behavior and the Nature of Sex Across the Cycle

42:48Emotional Entanglements and the Disconnect with PMS

Emotional Entanglements and the Disconnect with PMS

50:05Hormonal Differences Between Men and Women and the Male Standard

Hormonal Differences Between Men and Women and the Male Standard

56:06Understanding the Cycle and the Impact of the Pill

Understanding the Cycle and the Impact of the Pill

1:02:11The Pill's Effects on Mood and Relationship Satisfaction

The Pill's Effects on Mood and Relationship Satisfaction

1:08:21The Pill as an Unexamined Mental Health Experiment and its Impact on Men

The Pill as an Unexamined Mental Health Experiment and its Impact on Men

1:14:12The Modern Work Environment and the Denial of Sex Differences

The Modern Work Environment and the Denial of Sex Differences

1:24:46Modern Feminism and the Soft Bigotry of Male Expectations

Modern Feminism and the Soft Bigotry of Male Expectations

1:30:25The Understudied Nature of Women's Health and Implications

The Understudied Nature of Women's Health and Implications

1:37:09The Importance of Understanding the Second Half of the Cycle and Conclusion

The Importance of Understanding the Second Half of the Cycle and Conclusion