---
title: Why do women have higher rates of depression than men? | Niyora
description: Women in the US and other countries show higher depression rates than men. This may be due to biological factors like hormones or genetics, or psychological f
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/sex-differences-and-the-epidemiology-of-depression-1977/
---

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- Why do women have higher rates of depression than men?

Review, 1977

# Why do women have higher rates of depression than men?

Women in the US and other countries show higher depression rates than men. This may be due to biological factors like hormones or genetics, or psychological factors like discrimination, but the exact cause is unclear.

 Moderate study design

Men and women in the US and other countries

## What they did

This is a review article examining depression rates in men and women across the US and other countries over a 40-year period, analyzing various explanations for differences between sexes.

## What they found

The review examined evidence for different depression rates between men and women. Possible explanations include measurement bias (how depression is reported), biological factors (genetic or female hormonal effects), and psychosocial factors such as social discrimination or learned helplessness.

## What it means for you

Women may experience depression at higher rates than men, but it's not clear why. It could be biology (hormones or genes), psychology (how discrimination or life stress affects women), or just how depression is measured. This matters for PMS and PMDD because hormonal changes and depression are related.

## About the study

Original title Sex differences and the epidemiology of depression Authors Weissman MM, Klerman GL Journal Archives of general psychiatry Year 1977 Study design Review What was tested None - this is a review of research Read the paper [doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1977.01770130100011](https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1977.01770130100011)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Suicidality](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-suicidality/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

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Is there a link between premenstrual disorders and autoimmune disease?

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Do women with a history of PMS or PMDD have more depression during pregnancy and after birth?

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