It is also common for women to be offered benzodiazepines if they are going through a divorce or are in a period of physical change, such as adjusting to a new baby or menopause. Still other women use benzodiazepines to deal with long work hours or a stressful job. More women than men are prescribed benzodiazepines. Indeed, women in British Columbia are prescribed benzodiazepines at a rate two times higher than men. This discrepancy is a sign of a serious social problem.
Many women do have too much stress and anxiety in their lives.
They may be taking care of children, elderly parents, husbands and jobs with very little assistance. Women often have no time to look after themselves, physically or emotionally. They are more likely than men to be living in poverty as single parents or as seniors. Yet these are social and economic problems that will not be solved by giving pills to women. The real solution is to provide women with services and community support.