10 Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Women

Key takeaways:

Women with bipolar disorder tend to have more depression and anxiety symptoms than men.
Women are also more likely to have certain types of bipolar disorder, like bipolar 2 and rapid cycling bipolar (four or more separate mood episodes per year).
Women with bipolar disorder are often affected by hormones and seasons of the year.

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes changes in mood — from low mood (depression) to extreme high mood (mania). Some people experience hypomania, a milder version of mania. There are two main types of bipolar disorder: bipolar 1 and bipolar 2.

Bipolar disorder is just as common in men as in women, but bipolar disorder symptoms in women can look different. Women often have more episodes of depression than men. They’re also more likely to have hypomania, instead of mania. And women’s mood episodes may also be more affected by hormonal shifts and life stages.

Curious to learn more? Let’s dive in.

10 ways bipolar disorder symptoms are different in women

1. More hypomania

Women with bipolar disorder are more likely to have hypomania than men. This means they’re more likely to have a diagnosis of bipolar 2 disorder. During a hypomanic episode, you have symptoms of mania — like euphoria, increased energy, and impulsivity. But the symptoms are less severe than full-blown mania.

2. More mixed episodes

Women have “mixed episodes” more often than men. A mixed episode is when you have symptoms of depression and mania (or hypomania) at the same time. Men are more likely to have separate episodes of depression and mania.

3. More anxiety

Women often have anxiety symptoms during mixed episodes. Women with bipolar disorder are also more likely than men to have panic attacks or panic disorder.

4. More depression

Women are more likely than men to have a depressive episode first — before a manic or hypomanic episode. This includes symptoms like low mood, concentration problems, and appetite and sleep changes.

Women are also more likely to have multiple depressive episodes during their lifetime and to have depression with psychosis.

5. Seasonal triggers

Women are more likely to have seasonal mood episodes, especially in the spring and fall.

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6. More rapid cycling

Women may be more likely to have rapid cycling bipolar disorder. This is when you have 4 or more mood episodes in a year.

7. More suicide attempts

Women with bipolar disorder are more likely to make suicide attempts. But death by suicide is more common in men.

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8. Hormonal triggers

In women with bipolar disorder, symptoms can appear (or reappear) along with natural hormonal shifts. Examples of these hormonal shifts are during pregnancy, postpartum, and the menopause transition. Some women also have symptoms that get better or worse throughout the month with their menstrual cycle.

9. Associated mental health conditions

Women are more likely than men to have other mental health conditions along with bipolar disorder. For example, women may have other conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, and borderline personality disorder. But women are less likely to have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or a substance use disorder in addition to bipolar disorder.

10. Physical symptoms and health problems

People with bipolar disorder can also have physical health problems. Women who have bipolar disorder are more likely than men to have migraines, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune disease. They’re also more likely to be considered obese due to the medications used to treat bipolar disorder.

Quiz: Am I Bipolar?

At what age do signs of bipolar disorder appear in women?

Bipolar disorder can appear in any gender, at any age. It usually starts in the teens or 20s. Often, women first have a depressive episode (or multiple) as an adult — before they have a manic (or hypomanic) episode. This is different from men, who are more likely to have their first manic episode in childhood.

Women also seem to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder later in life than men. It’s not clear why. It may simply be that women get bipolar disorder later than men. Or it might be because bipolar disorder often goes undiagnosed in women for longer. Some cases may also be related to the menopause transition.

Frequently asked questions

Partly. Experts believe bipolar disorder is caused by a combination of factors, including your genetics (family history). So far, several genes have been linked to bipolar disorder. But other things matter, too, like your life experiences and physical environment.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and bipolar disorder are two separate mental health conditions. BPD is a personality disorder where you have trouble managing strong emotions, to the point where it affects your behavior and personal relationships. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that causes mania, hypomania, and depression.

Learn more about the similarities and differences in our GoodRx guide to bipolar vs. borderline disorder (including a handy chart).

A manic episode is an irritable or “elevated” mood that lasts for a week or longer. It’s one of the mood episodes that are part of bipolar disorder. During a manic episode, people may take risks and act impulsively. They might also be especially talkative or outgoing, or not seem to need a lot of sleep.

Yes. It’s possible to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a child or teenager.

The bottom line

Bipolar disorder is equally common in men and women. But women are more likely than men to have a depressive episode first — and to have more depression and anxiety symptoms. Women are also more likely to have rapid cycling and mood episodes that are triggered by hormonal or seasonal changes.

If you’re concerned about bipolar disorder, talk to a healthcare professional. They can help you understand your symptoms and guide you toward the best treatment.

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Written by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. A pulmonologist and hospitalist, she practiced and taught clinical medicine at hospitals in London for a decade before entering a career in health education and technology.

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