The Journey of the Female Brain – from Growth to Wisdom
Sanna Wiker 
How the female brain evolves in puberty, pregnancy, and menopause – and why it matters.
Part 3/4 Life’s Cycles – What Happens in the Brain During Puberty, Pregnancy and Menopause?
Theme:
CHOOSE – Own your evolution, step by step
Women’s brains change – and that’s not a problem.
It’s a story of adaptation.
In this part, we explore the phases of life:
How does the brain change – and how can we use those changes to our advantage?
Puberty – a brain under renovation
Puberty is not just about the body – it’s a revolution of the brain.
The prefrontal cortex – responsible for planning, impulse control and foresight – is rewired.
Girls typically develop these functions earlier than boys – yet are often met with labels like “drama queens” instead of thinkers.
Example: Girls who express emotions in their teens are told they’re “hormonal”, while boys may be called “rebellious” or “cool”.
Same neurological changes – different language – different self-image.
Pregnancy – cognitive amplification, not shutdown
During pregnancy, estrogen levels can increase up to 100-fold.
This strengthens neural connections and helps build new brain networks.
Example: Brain scans of mothers show increased activity in areas linked to empathy, planning and protective behavior.
Motherhood doesn’t just awaken emotions – it activates strategy.
Perimenopause – a second puberty?
During perimenopause, the brain begins to adjust to lower levels of estrogen and progesterone.
This may cause brain fog, memory glitches and sleep disturbances – but it’s a transition, not a breakdown.
Example: Women who receive the right support – conversations, hormone therapy, structure, rest – often recover quickly and experience a new clarity.
It’s not about losing something – it’s about finding new pathways to focus, strength and balance.
So...
The female brain is not fragile – it is flexible, strategic and deep.
It adapts to life. Not by breaking down – but by reorganizing itself.
Some perhaps helpful thoughts to explore:
- What is happening in my brain right now?
- Do I feel change as a threat – or as an opportunity for reorganization?
- What does my brain need most right now: rest, stimulation, support or clarity?
🤸♀️~It takes courage to see, and practice to grow.~🌳
Vaka says: “Each phase carries wisdom. The more you observe without judgment, the clearer the signal becomes.”
Våga says: “Dare to meet your transitions as openings, not endings. You were never meant to stay the same.”
Vila says: “This is a season. Let yourself breathe inside it. Wisdom doesn’t rush.”
Categories: : The Female Brain Series