When ADHD Meets Perimenopause & Menopause: What You Need to Know

Struggling to focus, feeling forgetful, or emotionally overwhelmed? If you're navigating perimenopause or menopause—and also dealing with ADHD—you may notice your symptoms intensifying. Here’s why, and how you can better manage the journey.

Why ADHD Symptoms May Worsen During Hormonal Transition

Hormonal Fluctuations & Cognitive Impact
During perimenopause, rapidly shifting and ultimately declining estrogen levels can significantly impact neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin—key players in attention, emotion regulation, and executive function. This hormonal rollercoaster can make ADHD symptoms dramatically worse. WebMD+10ADDitude+10trinityhealthmichigan.org+10
In menopause proper, sustained low estrogen may further impair cognitive clarity and impulse control (Skoglund, 2025).

1. Prevalence Among Women with ADHD
   Surveys show that an overwhelming 94% of women report ADHD symptoms increasing during perimenopause and menopause. Many experience emotional dysregulation, concentration challenges, and memory issues that profoundly affect daily life (Skoglund, 2025).

2. Overlap with Menopause Symptoms
   Many symptoms of menopause—like brain fog, poor time management, and emotional instability—mirror those of ADHD, making it challenging to tell what’s fueling which issue.

Strategies to Support Your Executive Function and Well-being

• Track Your Symptoms
  Keep a journal to note patterns in concentration, memory, mood, and sleep. This can help both you and your provider distinguish hormonal effects from ADHD-related challenges (Antoniou, et al., 2021; Haver; Skoglund, 2025).

• Medication & Hormone Therapies
  For those already on ADHD medications, revisiting dosage during hormonal transitions may help. For others, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can offer cognitive benefits by stabilizing estrogen levels. Combining both may yield the best outcomes (Skoglund, 2025).

• Therapeutic Support & Coaching
  Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) tailored for ADHD can build executive function skills and emotional resilience. Coaching can also provide structure and accountability during this transition. FNLondon

• Mindful Lifestyle Adjustments
  Prioritize consistent sleep, balanced nutrition to support brain health, regular movement, and stress-reduction techniques like meditation. These foundational practices support both menopausal and ADHD-related challenges. berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uktrinityhealthmichigan.org

• Advocate for Yourself in Healthcare Conversations
  Many women find their experiences are dismissed. Prepare notes documenting your symptoms and impact, and don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion if you feel overlooked. ADDitude+8Daily Telegraph+8ADDitude+8

A Moving Intersection Worth Addressing

The intersection of menopause and ADHD isn’t just physiological—it's psychological, social, and deeply personal. With growing awareness—from research to workplace inclusion efforts—this is a crucial time to advocate for holistic, informed support. FNLondon

Antoniou, E., Rigas, N., Orovou, E., Papatrechas, A., & Sarella, A. (2021). ADHD Symptoms in Females of Childhood, Adolescent, Reproductive, and Menopause Period. Materia Socio-Medica, 33(2), 114–118. https://doi.org/10.5455/msm.2021.33.114-118

Haver, M.C. ADHD and menopause: The ’pause blog. The ’Pause Life by Dr. Mary Claire Haver. https://thepauselife.com/blogs/the-pause-blog/adhd-and-menopause?srsltid=AfmBOoraK-dzWSprVTt-Nka3J6DTMfor7zB7hUGxk_FVB-NHmhV9e__N

Skoglund, L. B. (2025, July 9). Let’s talk about perimenopause and ADHD. ADDitude. https://www.additudemag.com/perimenopause-treatment-low-estrogen-symptoms-adhd/?srsltid=AfmBOoo1kwd3mcH2ZS7cLXO40OC57vo-Z1-5vAHPUNCAJGdQrXtNPV_3