Oh No You Didn't!: The Female Brain
- By Tracy Ames
- Published January 3, 2011
Tracy Ames
My name is Tracy Ames. I’m an author of interracial erotic fiction. My stories are a sensual feast for your senses; mind, body and soul.
I began writing short stories for monthly newsletters and, believe it or not, my friends. After much encouragement, I’m ready to offer you a taste of what only a few have previously savored.
A native of the San Francisco Bay area, I currently split time between Greenwich CT & New York City with my husband, children and a host of pets.
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I’m hugely interested to the psychology of the sexes: what makes us tick, our reactions to stimuli, and so on. My belief is by understanding our commonalities, we’ll better understand our differences. I know, it sounds a bit tree-huggerish but there's truth in that statement.
A few years ago, my mom and I were discussing the PMS cop out*. For those of you who don’t know, my mom is a shrink. Anyway, I’m not one to hitch my opinions to anyone’s unless there is hard evidence, which in the case of female mood swings, there is.
The female brain fascinates me. To put it mildly, we’re marvelous creatures. Our capacity for compassion doesn’t (in most cases) compromise our ability to take a hard line in the interest of the greater good or self protection.
So when I read this bullet point in an article written by Robin Nixon, a Live Science staff writer using the findings of Dr. Louann Brizendine, my response was somewhat lukewarm. It didn’t surprise me to read that women’s hormone levels are constantly changing throughout the day. And if anything Dr. Brizendine’s findings solidify the intrinsic nature of our adaptability prowess and depth.
I thought you’d enjoy the post and its subsequent articles and footnotes. I skimmed over the first nine points without giving them much attention. Number one caught my eye.
IRE.net: More useless knowledge than you can shake a stick at!
BTW, Wonder Woman is now my idol
10 Things Every Man Should Know about a Woman's Brain
Robin Nixon, Live Science Staff Writer
"There is no such thing as a unisex brain," says neuropsychiatrist Dr. Louann Brizendine of the University of California in San Francisco and author of "The Female Brain."
Despite the trumpets of women's lib, science suggests sex differences are innate. Women, apparently, are not curvy versions of men sporting high-heeled shoes.
1. She changes every day based on her cycle
Affecting up to 80 percent of women, PMS is a familiar scapegoat. But women are affected by their cycles every day of the month. Hormone levels are constantly changing in a woman's brain and body, changing her outlook, energy and sensitivity along with them.
About 10 days after the onset of menstruation, right before ovulation, women often feel sassier, Brizendine told LiveScience. Unconsciously, they dress sexier as surges in estrogen and testosterone prompt them to look for sexual opportunities during this particularly fertile period.
A week later, there is a rise in progesterone, the hormone that mimics valium, making women "feel like cuddling up with a hot cup of tea and a good book," Brizendine said. The following week, progesterone withdrawal can make women weepy and easily irritated. "We call it crying over dog commercials crying," Brizendine said.
For most women, their mood reaches its worst 12-24 hours before their period starts. "It is not entirely an issue of free will," Brizendine stressed.
* Using PMS to avoid taking responsibility for an action is cop out. PMS isn’t a get out of jail free card and throwing it around as such isn’t attractive, funny, or cute. Yes, there are special medical conditions, and understandably those should be addressed by a medical professional. However, throwing down the PMS card in defense of ones actions is rubbish. How we’re perceived by others and the affect on those around us is indicative of our behavior. So the next time you’re PMSing and someone pisses you off (which they will) stop—self analysis—and proceed with caution. Think before you speak—ask yourself, is this how I really feel or are my hormones leading the charge?
I’m all for cracking a can of whip ass when rightly done but remember: you always have a choice.
I’m Tracy, and I approve this message.
A few years ago, my mom and I were discussing the PMS cop out*. For those of you who don’t know, my mom is a shrink. Anyway, I’m not one to hitch my opinions to anyone’s unless there is hard evidence, which in the case of female mood swings, there is.
The female brain fascinates me. To put it mildly, we’re marvelous creatures. Our capacity for compassion doesn’t (in most cases) compromise our ability to take a hard line in the interest of the greater good or self protection.
So when I read this bullet point in an article written by Robin Nixon, a Live Science staff writer using the findings of Dr. Louann Brizendine, my response was somewhat lukewarm. It didn’t surprise me to read that women’s hormone levels are constantly changing throughout the day. And if anything Dr. Brizendine’s findings solidify the intrinsic nature of our adaptability prowess and depth.
I thought you’d enjoy the post and its subsequent articles and footnotes. I skimmed over the first nine points without giving them much attention. Number one caught my eye.
IRE.net: More useless knowledge than you can shake a stick at!
BTW, Wonder Woman is now my idol
10 Things Every Man Should Know about a Woman's Brain
Robin Nixon, Live Science Staff Writer
"There is no such thing as a unisex brain," says neuropsychiatrist Dr. Louann Brizendine of the University of California in San Francisco and author of "The Female Brain."
Despite the trumpets of women's lib, science suggests sex differences are innate. Women, apparently, are not curvy versions of men sporting high-heeled shoes.
1. She changes every day based on her cycle
Affecting up to 80 percent of women, PMS is a familiar scapegoat. But women are affected by their cycles every day of the month. Hormone levels are constantly changing in a woman's brain and body, changing her outlook, energy and sensitivity along with them.
About 10 days after the onset of menstruation, right before ovulation, women often feel sassier, Brizendine told LiveScience. Unconsciously, they dress sexier as surges in estrogen and testosterone prompt them to look for sexual opportunities during this particularly fertile period.
A week later, there is a rise in progesterone, the hormone that mimics valium, making women "feel like cuddling up with a hot cup of tea and a good book," Brizendine said. The following week, progesterone withdrawal can make women weepy and easily irritated. "We call it crying over dog commercials crying," Brizendine said.
For most women, their mood reaches its worst 12-24 hours before their period starts. "It is not entirely an issue of free will," Brizendine stressed.
* Using PMS to avoid taking responsibility for an action is cop out. PMS isn’t a get out of jail free card and throwing it around as such isn’t attractive, funny, or cute. Yes, there are special medical conditions, and understandably those should be addressed by a medical professional. However, throwing down the PMS card in defense of ones actions is rubbish. How we’re perceived by others and the affect on those around us is indicative of our behavior. So the next time you’re PMSing and someone pisses you off (which they will) stop—self analysis—and proceed with caution. Think before you speak—ask yourself, is this how I really feel or are my hormones leading the charge?
I’m all for cracking a can of whip ass when rightly done but remember: you always have a choice.
I’m Tracy, and I approve this message.
Spread The Word
14 Responses to "Oh No You Didn't!: The Female Brain"
said this on 03 Jan 2011 6:00:57 PM CST
I've never said I had PMS, since I'm on birth control and have been for the last 18 to 20 years of my life my cycle has just kind of stopped. I asked my doctor, she told me there was no medical need for me to have a cycle, thank goodness. I'm glad it's gone. But when I'm pissy, I'm just pissy and you just caught me on the wrong day, that's all. LOL
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said this on 04 Jan 2011 4:42:29 PM CST
Don't you just love not having to worry about that tme of the month? It's awesome! I agree: pissy is pissy but everytime I hear a Lady throw down the PMS card I wanna shake them silly. It's like they're limiting themselves.
See?! You always get me going! |
said this on 05 Jan 2011 6:35:51 PM CST
lol, are you the same Eugenia from BB&W?...either way, hola.
I wonder about birth control thou in the long run. Few of my friends stopped taking it due to various health reasons. Suppressing our natural cycle (no matter how much we hate that time of the month), would it have long term negative impact? There is been few studies that indicate BC can contribute to breast cancer, but nothing definite yet. Here is an interesting article I read a while back about BC: http://rabbitwrite.co m/the-divorce-pill-birth- control-effects-your-doct or-doesnt-know/ |
said this on 03 Jan 2011 6:01:47 PM CST
Oh and I love that photo of Wonder Woman, tell 'em girl!
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said this on 04 Jan 2011 4:44:36 PM CST
One of my readers sent me this photo after seeing my FB profile. Now I have a ton of Wonder Woman images coming in. :)
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said this on 05 Jan 2011 4:33:36 PM CST
Can I borrow that photo? I write a blog and I think that may be some good inspiration for an entry.
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said this on 05 Jan 2011 4:39:53 PM CST
Be my guest! I have it on both of my desktops.
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said this on 03 Jan 2011 8:26:58 PM CST
This is the funniest thing. If this isn't spot on I don't know what is. I was feeling some kind of way today, just read the last message I sent you and the dynamic trio on FB.
The article is "10 Things Every Man Should Know about a Woman's Brain" but I think more women should be aware of this than anything. Like you said some women just take PMS and run with it. During that time of the month you may have bitch tendencies, but it doesn't give you a reason to be a bitch. Seriously though I have to laugh at this article. It did make me feel better because today I was just...off. |
said this on 04 Jan 2011 4:46:56 PM CST
Ah, did you snap on someone? I felt it coming, LOL! I haven't given a second glance at the other bullet points. I'll have to give them a read once my head stops pounding.
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said this on 04 Jan 2011 9:48:34 AM CST
note that only one response for all is impossible, so just to participate : I remember that on time I saw a documentary on "ARTE (http://www.arte.tv a french/german european tv), they give a possibility of interpretation about a fact they find by irm brain from sex addict volonteers for a study. So between the two parts of the brain, there is a connection, and this connection is more important for the most part of volonteers who prefer hard sex activities. They feel less the physical pain than others, and they have to integrate by simulation this feeling mentaly, so sometime they need to let off steam their natural disposition
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said this on 05 Jan 2011 7:27:17 PM CST
Hmmm, interesting Bill. I'll have to try and find the program. I can see the connection between feeling less physical pain and enjoying more agressive sex.
There is a porn star named Chloe Marie and because of a childhood injury she can't feel her clit, which basically is the control switch. So she can only reach orgasm through deep hard sex. I'd love to see the documentary findings. Thanks! |
said this on 06 Jan 2011 1:59:22 PM CST
Sure, I'll try to...I remenber that their observation not always gone in one way for everybody in the study. The difference between less and more connection at this exchange interface of the two part of the brain, can only be observe by IRM examen & represent a variation from 1% to 5% than conventional. And no relation with the extern physical aspect of the body, if people are tall or little, etc.
But some of them don't manage to compose with the life in society, although it's a kind of advantage...away of the sex...lol. In regular medecin speciality & research of the brain interaction, it's a conventional knowledge even if not many people are like, so maybe look for this direction. My point of view is that psychological reason are mostly representative for the hard sex activities, and this physiological aspect is rare. I don't wish to fool You about Tracy...And marvelous wishes for 2011!!! Maybe one day...que sera sera... |
said this on 05 Jan 2011 6:43:44 PM CST
lol, love Wonder Woman photo, I'm going to steal it if you don't mind.
I've read this article a while ago and found it amusing and informative. About the PMsing, I really have no problem with it mainly because the problem isn't the fact that we are emotional, but how we react to it. I know I get moody before and after it and just make sure not to use it as an excuse for being rude or nasty to anyone. By the way, did you know men are more emotional then us?....they just hide it better to the detriment of their health. Here is another article, this time '10 things Women should know about Men': http://www.livescienc e.com/culture/10-facts-ma le-brains-100406-1.html |
said this on 05 Jan 2011 7:40:39 PM CST
Ah, take the photo. I have plenty more. :)
I wanted to do the male brain post but the female hormone fact caught my attention because it really solidifed how dynamic the female brain is. I was aware that men were mentally healthier than us. My mom preached this to us from birth...maybe that's why Pam refuses to hold her tongue. Men are expected to be brazen and assertive while women are supposed to be demure and passive. WHATEVER! There has to be a balance. |