A review of 76 papers on female reproductive hormones and mood disorders highlights both hormonal and social factors contributing to a higher prevalence of mood disorders in women. Key conclusions include: hormone levels fluctuate significantly across the reproductive cycle; social discrimination can contribute to low self-esteem; pre-existing mood disorders often exacerbate during the late luteal and early follicular phases of the menstrual cycle; and depressive symptoms during pregnancy strongly predict postpartum depression. Furthermore, these hormonal impacts on female mental health can persist even after menopause.