The Effects of Stress on Women's Health and Illness: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Because of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, women are disproportionately affected by stress, which is a major global public health concern. Chronic stress has been linked to a number of negative health outcomes, such as autoimmune diseases, mental health disorders, infertility, and cardiovascular disease. There is still conflicting data about the overall effects of stress on women's health, despite a great deal of research. Objective: The goal is to thoroughly examine the body of research on how stress affects women's health and illness, highlighting important risk factors, underlying causes, and evidence gaps. Methods: A comprehensive search for studies published up to 2025 was carried out using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Studies that looked at stress and its relationship to women's health outcomes, such as observational studies, randomized controlled trials, and systematic reviews, were eligible. Key findings, health outcomes, stress measurement techniques, and study characteristics were all extracted. The PRISMA and AMSTAR-2 guidelines were used to evaluate the included studies' methodological quality. Results: A total of 52 studies covering a range of populations and health outcomes satisfied the inclusion requirements. Chronic stress has been repeatedly associated with a higher risk of mood disorders, reproductive problems, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, stress has been linked to immune dysregulation, which raises the incidence of autoimmune diseases in women. Comparability between studies was hampered by differences in study design, cultural context, and stress assessment instruments. New research showed that lifestyle choices, coping strategies, and social support all play a moderating role in reducing the health risks associated with stress. Conclusion: In conclusion, stress has a substantial and complex effect on women's health, affecting both psychological and physical results. The need for standardized stress measurement and high- quality longitudinal studies is highlighted by methodological limitations, even though consistent associations with cardiovascular, reproductive, autoimmune, and mental health disorders were noted. Reducing the health burden of stress in women requires more focus on culturally appropriate interventions and preventative measures.