“Now the researchers suspect that women have a larger behavioral repertoire than just fight or flight; In fact, says Dr.
Klein, it seems that when the hormone oxytocin
is release as part of the stress responses in a woman, it buffers the fight or flight response and encourages her to tend children
and gather with other women instead.
When she actually engages in this tending or befriending, studies suggest that more oxytocin is released, which further counters stress and produces a calming effect.
This calm ing response does not occur
in men, says Dr.
Klein, because testosterone—which men produce in high levels when they’re under stress—seems to reduce the effects of oxytocin. Estrogen, she adds, seems to enhance it.”
Read article. Even if you’re a male, there are some good insights here.