There is a significant research gap in understanding female-specific biological factors in mental health, largely due to the historical underrepresentation of women in medical studies, which has led to less effective and potentially unsafe treatments for women.

The scientific community is united in its goal to better understand sex differences in mental health to develop targeted, effective treatments for women.

Animal models, particularly rodent studies, are increasingly used to investigate sex-specific brain mechanisms, helping to develop more personalized and effective treatments.

Major research organizations like the US NIH and Australia's NHMRC are implementing policies to incorporate biological sex into research, aiming to address the gender gap and improve health outcomes.

Recent animal studies, including mouse models, have shown sex-specific neural mechanisms, such as how reducing ghrelin receptor activity decreases binge drinking in females but not in males, emphasizing the importance of considering sex differences.

While some mental health disorders traditionally more common in men, such as alcohol use disorder, are now rising among women, highlighting the need for sex-specific research.

Advancing research that includes both sexes can lead to more personalized healthcare and help close the long-standing gender gaps in mental health understanding and treatment.

Women are disproportionately affected by the global mental health crisis, experiencing higher rates of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and eating disorders compared to men.