The Missing Piece in Women’s Health: Why Understanding Your Biorhythm Changes Everything
- Rebecca Roe
- May 27
- 4 min read
Most of us have been taught to push through, perform consistently, and ignore our fluctuating energy levels, moods, or needs. But here’s a truth that’s rarely acknowledged: the modern world wasn’t designed with women in mind. From the 9-5 work week to clinical health guidelines, our systems were built around male biology - and women have been trying to fit into that mould ever since.
I’ve recently become a certified Her Biorhythm Coach in Women’s Neuropsychophysiology - a big word, but the concept is simple and revolutionary: when a woman understands her unique monthly biorhythms, she can work with her body and brain, not against them.
Why This Matters (And Why We Haven’t Heard It Before)
Did you know that most health research has historically excluded women? In fact, the FDA banned women of childbearing age from clinical trials until 1993. Even today, women with a menstrual cycle are often considered "research limitations."
This has serious consequences as the vast majority of medical knowledge, work structures, health and wellness advice is based on male physiology and the 24-hour male hormonal cycle - not the 28ish-day female cycle. That’s like using a manual for a different engine and wondering why things don’t run smoothly.
Women are disproportionately affected by:
Autoimmune conditions
Dementia
Barriers to Substance use and Treatment
Depression, anxiety, and mood disorders
Osteoporosis
Burnout
These aren’t small differences - they’re a flashing neon sign that our systems are missing something vital.
A landmark study on pharmacokinetics found that women suffer adverse drug reactions nearly twice as often as men because dosage recommendations are based on male biology. Another study revealed that diseases predominantly affecting women are often underfunded relative to their burden.
We are being overmedicated, under-researched, and underserved. Health equality will never happen unless we start giving women the scientific attention they deserve.
Women’s Health and Addiction
As I've shared before, I have personal experiences with addiction. When I discovered that our health data significantly lacks female representation and that society is built on structures tailored to male biology, I became deeply interested.
Addiction doesn't present the same way in women as in men, yet most treatment, prevention, and education approaches are designed around male patterns of use.
Emerging research shows:
Hormonal fluctuations, particularly in the luteal and menstrual phases, can leave women more susceptible to emotional volatility, low mood, and cravings. During these times, some women are more likely to seek temporary relief from substances like alcohol, sugar, or stimulants.
Women are more likely to self-medicate symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, or chronic pain - all of which are more prevalent in women.
Stigma plays a huge role in delaying help-seeking. Women - particularly mothers, professionals, and caregivers - often hide their struggles out of shame or fear of judgment. Fewer women with a substance use disorder are receiving treatment.
The Missing Link in Women's Health: A Biological Truth We Can No Longer Ignore
One of the most harmful assumptions we’ve built into society is that the biological systems of men and women operate the same way. They don’t.
Men's hormonal and adrenal rhythms reset roughly every 24 hours. Women, however, operate on a monthly cycle driven by ovarian hormones - estrogen and progesterone - which ebb and flow over approximately 28 days. This fundamental difference is not just biological trivia - it’s the key to understanding everything from mood to metabolism, from energy to addiction risk.
And yet, the world is not set up for this. Our systems - workplaces, education, productivity models, even fitness regimens - are optimised for male biology. Women are trying to operate like small men and wondering why we burn out, struggle with consistency, or feel “not enough.”
This Isn’t Just Science. It’s Strategy
Imagine designing your life, work, and health plan around your own body’s intelligence.
Women are not just smaller men. Our brains are wired differently:
We have more grey matter in the prefrontal cortex - supporting decision-making, emotional regulation, and leadership.
We possess greater inter-hemispheric connectivity, meaning we’re wired for holistic thinking, empathy, and reading emotional and social cues.
We have a more active mirror neuron system, increasing our ability to feel, connect, and intuit.
These are strengths - especially in leadership, relationships, and problem-solving. But when we ignore our rhythms, we can dull these gifts or burn out trying to keep up with systems that aren’t built for us.
What Happens When We Ignore This?
When women don’t understand or honour their biological cycles, it can result in:
Mood swings that feel inexplicable
Decreased productivity or burnout
Poor recovery from exercise or stress
Misdiagnoses like anxiety or depression
Increased risk of turning to substances to cope
It’s not a character flaw - it’s a mismatch between our biology and our environment.
We’re seeing increasing burnout among women globally - including here in New Zealand. More women are leaving the workforce, reporting higher rates of anxiety and exhaustion. But this isn’t about weakness - it’s about misalignment.
A New Way Forward
Imagine designing your life, work, and health plan around your own body’s intelligence. When women learn to track their biorhythm, adjust nutrition and exercise to their phase, and build recovery into the right time of the month, they don’t just survive - they thrive.
As I begin offering new services to support women to align their lifestyle, habits, and work with their biology, I’m excited to share tools that will help you:
Track your cycle and understand your biorhythm
Adjust your nutrition, exercise, and workload to suit your body’s needs
Improve sleep and recovery at the right times
Build emotional resilience and self-compassion
Break free from unhelpful patterns - including substance use and burnout - that arise when your biology is ignored.
Real Empowerment Begins with Understanding
This is not about pushing harder. It’s about working smarter, with your biology - not against it. When you understand your rhythms, you gain power, clarity, and self-trust. You’ll become more effective and fulfilled in every area of your life because you're finally honouring the woman you are.
Let’s unlearn the rules that never worked for us and create new ones that do.
Much love,
Bec x
