WOMEN EXPERIENCE STRESS DIFFERENTLY
Prevention magazine reported a study of women and their response to stress.
Seems there's a chemical released when women are under stress called oxytocin.
It actually encourages the woman to tend children and gather with other women. When she does tend and gather, even more oxytocin is released which continues to counter stress effects and also produces a calming effect.
My suggestion for women when stress hits - show your boyfriend or husband this blurb and head to your support network of female friends.