Male/female brain evidence

[DogDaysNeverEnd]

Can anyone help find the paper alluded to in this listicle please? www.boredpanda.com/things-easier-to-do-for-women/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

I think it's point 17 about hearing difference. In the comments someone claims that trans people perform in accordance with the side they transitioned to even if they haven't actually transitioned i.e. it's not a hormonal difference but a neurological one. They don't provide any reference, and I can't help but be sceptical, but fairs fair, if there is such a study it would be fascinating. I did some searching and came up with studies but nothing mentioned trans people participating so I'm assuming BS.

I have a visit with SIL who is very TWAW and it would be great to be able to counter this kind of discussion.

This is a good listen and her book is excellent

thedoctorskitchen.com/lifestyle/the-doctors-kitchen-podcast-59-how-to-reverse-ageing-part-3-of-4-the-female-ageing-brain-with-dr-lisa-mosconi

Thanks :) - so what is that quote actually about then?

Lots of recent research shows that women who play contact sports are at higher risk of brain injury at certain points of the menstrual cycle even if on the pill. Thought to be linked to oestrogen

@YetAnotherSpartacus

Thanks :) - so what is that quote actually about then?

I'm not sure as not finished reading that article yet but I'm imagining that the xy brain has cells not expecting huge amounts of oestrogen.

Huge amounts of oestrogen isn't great for a young healthy woman either. Hrt is replacing a deficit.

Btw, the info Lisa discussed about the impact of pregnancy on the brain is fascinating (it grows!)

This is all v simplistic though and easily misconstrued as explained by Rippon and Fine.

@WarriorN

Lots of recent research shows that women who play contact sports are at higher risk of brain injury at certain points of the menstrual cycle even if on the pill. Thought to be linked to oestrogen

I can believe this. I'm noticeably physically weaker at certain points in my cycle, sometimes by a good two to four kg. That lack could account for increases propensity to injury.

Thank you, I'll follow up on the links shared. Despite the somewhat dubious prompt it's an interesting topic. I'm scientifically literate but not familiar with biology/neurology so it's good to learn more. Interestingly in my own field we were discussing how to communicate uncertainty this week. People want a definitive answer, but as highly skilled pros we can't bring ourselves to say yes or no because we know it's never that simple. It's seems a widespread problem, how to reconcile complexity/uncertainty with the desire for a simple answer?

I've not read trans by Helen Joyce but I've watched her interview with Boyce this week and read some excerpts.

She starts from mathematical principles of certainty. And every thing expands from there, including reasons behind how we are as males and females and cultures etc.

I do find rooting reasoning in science, maths and biology the best way to work through things.

@Packingsoapandwater look at the fitr woman app (free) which Chelsea woman's football club used to help them be excellent (don't follow football so I don't know the details of their success.)

www.bbc.com/news/business-49426349

The key question here, as others have, I think, alluded to, is, 'So what?'. Not in a defensive way but in a genuine way. What would we do with this information? For example, if it really were true that trans people have more similar brains / brain activity / whatever to the sex they are transing to, when, if ever, might that be relevant? If I were definitively 'born in the wrong body', does it follow that hormones and surgery are the best way to manage that? Does it follow that I should be treated as though I were 'born in' the opposite sex body even though I wasn't? In all circumstances? Does it follow that people who feel discomfort with their sexed body should only receive support following the correct brain scan result, or should everyone who feels they need support get it? Do we believe that everyone who identifies as trans has the same underlying reasons or do we believe there could be multiple causes? If a brain scan can identify a male or female brain, should that impact on how we design services? If my brain is 'more male' does this equip me to use a urinal? Should it mean I can wear trunks at the pool instead of a swimming costume? Should it mean I should go to a special school for 'male' subjects or should I be allowed to develop my own interests and skills? Should different standards of acceptable behaviour be applied to me, because of my 'maleness'?

www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/02/13/exclusive-chelsea-become-first-club-tailor-training-menstrual/

He also discusses how oestrogen 'feminizes' the brain and completely dismisses it. What it appears to do is change blood flow, reduce the size of the brain, interfere with executive function, cause dangerously high builds up of glutamate and lead to early on-set dementia and high risk of stroke.

Yes I've read the same piece and it's quite concerning.

www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02089-2

Brain injuries in women, they're at the start of the research.

Woman's hour segment

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000d1z1

It's fascinating that lowering testosterone helps gender dysphoria in trans identifying males.

I'm also thinking about how perhaps young women who identify as men may feel stronger with added testosterone, (obviously there are huge health risks) and indeed how some menopausal women need small amounts to deal with menopause.

Many young women (and women of all ages) and teens deal with horrific menstrual hormonal issues and imbalances that aren't adequately looked at and dealt with.