To cry when we are attempted by any strong psychic or physical pain, is a physiological (normal, naturally created) mechanism of defence, no matter the individual is woman or man; at woman, defence's mechanisms are a few more effective. Chemical composition of tears is very different, pending on determining causes: sorrow, varied pains, overwhelming unwaited happiness, eye lesions or chemical agression (e.g. onion), etc. In the specific case of a great suffering., tears are a very concentrate solution of stress hormones, eliminated from the brain by the case of optic nerve. Sobbings have the role to favour the sooner move away the exceeding stress hormones (like cough for expectoration), for re-establishment of biochemical balance of brain.

Knowing these, we can see cry as a need of selfdefence and a signal of a suffering (excepting the unsincere, "blackmail" cry). Craying isn't a shame, nor a discredit, but a selfhelp and a S.O.S.

Then cry if you need. After - it will better and the mind clearer.

Remember: the greater pain is the own pain.

I think tears or crying are a great way of releasing or letting go of repressed feelings and are beneficial to the growth process.

The key is to be able to differentiate between compassion for oneself as opposed to self pity. The former is often needed when we've spent a lot of time beating up on ourself and we have to forgive ourself and let go. Self pity on the other hand places us in the grip of the ego, playing the role of victim, and is detrimental to our growth.

I would say, by all means go and have a good cry but be willing to let those feelings really go and you'll find those moments, needed for crying, become less and less.If you don't become stuck in self pity, I think you'll find that the tears brought relief and you won't have undone any of that "joyful work".