The Hormone Myth

“This is a book for every woman who has ever been asked ‘Are you on the rag?’ after she voices an unpopular opinion or expresses an ‘unfeminine’ emotion. Read it, share it with your friends, and join the movement to bust the hormone myth once and for all.” — Joan C. Chrisler, PhD, editor of Women’s Reproductive Health

“This eye-opening book covers female developmental milestones (e.g., menarche, pregnancy, menopause) where the ‘hormone myth’ is characterized by an excessive focus on biology over modifiable environmental factors, while ignoring empirical findings in favor of pseudoscience, sensationalism, scaremongering, and the fragilization of women. One chapter at a time, from Aristotle to Trump, the author weaves together historical, cultural, and economic developments that — intentionally or not — create and maintain this hormone myth. The author argues cogently that the eventual impact on women is a net negative: despite a few short-term social gains, these myths keep women feeling, and being perceived, as overly emotional and less suitable for competent leadership. This is a must-read for any person who wants to know what science can truly tell us about the relationship of hormones to women’s mental health, and how to help debunk entrenched societal myths that perpetuate gender inequities at home and work.” — Jacqueline Pistorello, PhD, research faculty at Counseling Services at University of Nevada, Reno, and coauthor of Finding Life Beyond Trauma

“The Hormone Myth  not only helps women recognize the cultural forces boxing them in, but provides the tools needed to be smart consumers of some of the scientific research that falsely insinuates they are ‘hormonal maniacs.’ DeLuca brings a fresh and engaging voice to the stubborn myth of women’s emotional instability.” — Susan Pincus, MD, family physician

Robyn Stein DeLuca, PhD, is a research assistant professor in the department of psychology at Stony Brook University, and was a core faculty member of the women’s and gender studies program for fifteen years. She has taught a multitude of courses on health, gender, and reproduction, and her research on postpartum depression and childbirth satisfaction has been published in scholarly psychology journals. Her TEDx Talk “The Good News About PMS” has had over one million views and has been translated into twenty-two languages.