Are you finding it harder to concentrate, keep track of everyday tasks or manage feelings of overwhelm?
We know this can be frustrating, especially when strategies you’ve relied on no longer seem to work as well.
If you’re noticing links between ADHD symptoms and times of hormonal change, you aren’t alone. These are changes many of our patients with ADHD describe frequently: finding everyday decisions more difficult, losing track of conversations or feeling less able to cope with interruptions, despite using their usual strategies.
At Newson Clinic, our expert clinicians will ask what feels different from your typical ADHD symptoms and when those changes happen. Exploring these patterns alongside your sleep, menstrual cycle and current medicines helps us assess whether hormones could be contributing and discuss appropriate treatment options.
In this article, we explore how hormonal changes at different stages of a woman’s life may affect ADHD symptoms.
What’s the link between hormones and ADHD?
Hormone levels naturally fluctuate throughout a woman’s life. For women who are sensitive to hormonal changes, as is the case for many women with ADHD, these fluctuations can affect how the brain works, including concentration, motivation and mood.
Research suggests that hormonal changes may be associated with changes in ADHD symptoms, particularly across the menstrual cycle.1
Estradiol, testosterone and progesterone all act on the brain, influencing chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, which help brain cells communicate.
Estradiol and testosterone influence dopamine, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain involved in planning, decision-making, concentration and managing emotions.
Dopamine helps us focus, get started on tasks and stay motivated. When estradiol and testosterone levels fluctuate or fall, this can affect how dopamine works, potentially making these everyday tasks more difficult. Estradiol also influences serotonin, a chemical messenger involved in mood, and melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep.
Dr Louise explains more about the relationship between ADHD and hormonal fluctuations in this article.
Together, these changes may help explain why everyday demands can feel more overwhelming at certain times of the month or stages of life. If this sounds relatable, book an appointment with a Newson Clinic clinician to explore whether hormones could be contributing and discuss treatment options appropriate for you.
Does your ADHD feel different before your period?
Many women with ADHD notice that everyday tasks become harder in the days leading up to their period.
During the menstrual cycle, estradiol falls after ovulation. Both estradiol and progesterone fall before the period, coinciding with these changes in ADHD symptoms.
A recent study looked at premenopausal women with ADHD who were not on hormone treatment.
The study found that 88.6 % of these women reported changes in their ADHD symptoms across their cycle. Most described worsening symptoms during the luteal phase - the time between ovulation and their period.2
For more on this connection, read Dr Louise Newson’s article on ADHD and hormones in women.
If you think you’d benefit from a discussion about your symptoms feeling unmanageable or difficult during your menstrual cycle, you can book an appointment today.
Could my ADHD symptoms be affected during perimenopause?
During perimenopause, estrogen levels fluctuate and progesterone levels often decline as ovulation becomes less regular. These hormonal changes may make familiar symptoms harder to manage.
In a recent study, women with ADHD reported more severe perimenopausal symptoms than women without ADHD, including psychological symptoms such as sleep problems, anxiety and low mood. These overlapping difficulties may explain why everyday life can feel harder to manage during this time.3
Margaret’s story explores how worsening concentration, memory and organisation during perimenopause led to her ADHD diagnosis.
If Margaret’s story resonates with you, you can discuss your experience with one of our clinicians in an appointment.
Hear from Dr Sumi Rampling, menopause and ADHD specialist at Newson Clinic, on how perimenopause can affect ADHD symptoms.
“Many women with ADHD learn to use their changing focus to their advantage, but in perimenopause, this process can fall apart. When hormones fluctuate and eventually fall, this can have a massive impact on focus, decision making, and managing emotions.
The other thing to bear in mind is that many women with ADHD go through perimenopause and menopause a little earlier than usual, so these changing symptoms can catch people by surprise. It’s so important to share what’s going on with those around us who we trust. This can be so helpful in identifying what is happening. It is also so important to look after ourselves and have self-compassion.”
Will my symptoms get worse during menopause?
After menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels remain low. Lower estrogen may therefore make some ADHD symptoms harder to manage. Hormonal changes can also affect sleep and mood, adding to difficulties with concentration and everyday tasks.
In a recent survey, 97.5% of respondents answering about menopause reported that their ADHD symptoms had worsened. This reflects those respondents’ experiences; it does not mean every woman with ADHD will experience the same changes.4
You can bring questions about hormones and your existing ADHD treatment to your appointment. Our clinicians will talk through your options and explain what any proposed treatment would involve.
What about after childbirth?
After childbirth, estrogen and progesterone levels fall sharply from the high levels of pregnancy.
This sudden hormonal change may make ADHD symptoms harder to manage. Changes in progesterone may also affect mood and anxiety, adding to feelings of overwhelm. Disrupted sleep and the demands of looking after a baby can add to these difficulties.
New research found that new ADHD diagnoses were more frequent two to five years after childbirth than before pregnancy. The findings highlight the years after childbirth as a potentially important time when ADHD symptoms may become harder to manage, reinforcing the need for targeted mental health screening and support.5
Hear from Dr Sumi Rampling, menopause and ADHD specialist at Newson Clinic, on how hormonal changes after childbirth can affect ADHD symptoms:
“Hormones drop rapidly following childbirth, and for some women these rapid shifts can lead to post-natal depression. Some women can cope really well with these changes but many women, including those with a history of ADHD and PMS, can be more vulnerable.
Of course, not everyone with ADHD and PMS are going to struggle, but having awareness and knowledge can be very empowering.
Having support around you during this time is crucial, and when mood significantly falls due to rapid drops in hormones, it makes sense to add back some of these hormones back.”
We’re here to help
If you’re unsure what these changes mean for you, we’re here to help you understand your options. You don’t need to arrive knowing which symptoms are linked to ADHD, and which might be hormonal - that’s something we can explore together.
At Newson Clinic, you can ask questions about bioidentical hormone treatment, including its potential benefits and how it might fit alongside your ADHD treatment.
Your clinician will explain what starting treatment could involve and how your response would be reviewed, giving you time to consider your options and agree on the next steps.
Book an appointment to talk through your questions with a Newson Clinic clinician.
