The difference between male and female brains

While influencing factors like culture and family play a role in determining universal differences between the male and female genders, there’s a far more fundamental element at play: neurological development.

Research shows there are differences in male and female brain chemistry and structure, which can help explain how men and women think and process differently, as well as why each may be more susceptible to different health conditions.

1. Studies show that men’s brains are 10% larger than women’s brains, but this fact has no impact on intelligence. In particular, one part of the male brain is larger than the female brain: the inferior-parietal lobule, which is linked to solving math problems, judging speed and estimating time. Women instead tend to have a larger hippocampus and more neural connection density, meaning they are able to process and absorb more emotional and sensory information.
    
2. Male and female brains also process information differently. “Women typically have verbal centers on both sides of their brains, while men’s brains typically only have verbal centers in their left hemisphere,” said Steven Meyers, MD, neurologist at Endeavor Health. “As a result, women display a stronger aptitude for social cognition — like empathy — and verbal communication.”
    
3. Women also tend to have more grey matter in their brains. Grey matter helps the body process information in the brain related to muscle control, sensory perception, memory and emotions. However, women typically use more white matter, which is the network of nerve fibers that facilitate the exchange of information and communication between different areas of the brain. 
   
   “This can help explain why men often display an affinity for action-based or task-focused projects, while women often perform well when it comes to things like multitasking, language and interpreting emotions,” said Dr. Meyers. Interestingly, grey matter in women decreases during pregnancy, which is the source of so-called “pregnancy brain.”
    
4. Men and women also differ when it comes to how their brains are connected. Women tend to display a stronger connection side-to-side, which can mean they excel at analyzing, drawing conclusions and have strong intuitive thinking. In contrast, men’s brains have a stronger front-to-back connection, which is typically linked to areas like motor skills and perception.
    
5. Women can also be more prone to neurological disorders like anxiety and depression because their brains process the neurochemical serotonin differently than men’s brains. On the other hand, men are at greater risk for conditions like autism spectrum disorder and Parkinson’s disease.

It’s worth noting that people don’t always fit into specific boxes, and many people process information or display an affinity for certain tasks regardless of their gender. However, these scientific discoveries can help us better understand the people in our lives.

“Gender-specific differences in brain structure and chemistry can lend insight into our different strengths and opportunities,” said Dr. Meyers. “It can help us appreciate each other more.”