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Perimenopause Problems: How Changing Hormones Exacerbate ADHD Symptoms

One little-known side effect of menopause and perimenopause? They may make your ADHD symptoms harder to manage. Here's how one businesswoman dealt with her shifting hormones — and stayed on top of her workload.

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  1. *UPDATED – I recognise the boss was described as ‘him or her’ – didn’t see that first glance as was a bit hung up on the previous reference! 😂 going to reflect on my triggers here & my own cycle point; probably am at the stage of ‘don’t anyone even breathe near me!!

  2. Much of this resonates with me, although I do take exception to the reference as colleagues in the denial, whilst boss is male – come on, this is promoting sexism and stereotypes that do not empower women!

  3. This is happening to me right now. I probably had ADHD my whole life, I developed strategies for coping – which often meant a lot of extra work for me. Now at perimenopause, my whole life has been overturned. The thing with perimenopause is it can last 2-10 years. My cycles are still irregularly regular, I’m not a candidate for HRT. My gyno didn’t even provide a sympathetic ear. I heard an ADHD professional doctor say women’s hormones do weird things that can look like ADHD, but it’s not it. It’s ridiculous that no studies have been done to help women at this stage of life. We’re all on our own to fix it with no sympathy. Menopause books say eat well, exercise, and sleep to control menopause symptoms. That isn’t easy in normal times; add in ADHD it’s incredibly difficult. Or tips are to piggyback onto your spouse‘s behavior- not everyone has a spouse. And hiring professional coaches or organizers are prohibitively expensive, too. There are too many problems and not enough real solutions for help. I’m so frustrated.

  4. When my hormones started dropping, I started having terrible problems with executive functioning, memory, and mood. It has taken me a couple of years to realize what helps me most, exercise, cutting out sugar, a lower fat diet, and cutting down my screen time. I try not to be on a screen at all for the first few hours of the day.I am doing so much better now.

  5. I’ve lived my entire life with untreated ADHD. I’ve been in perimenopause since I was 42 because of a total hysterectomy and oophorectomy(removal of ovaries). It’s irritating to me that this is never mentioned in any menopause/perimenopause articles. I just didn’t have a decrease in hormones, I went into surgery with hormones and came out with none. I was on HRT until 3 years ago because I haven’t had medical insurance. I’ve finally found employment that gives me medical benefits that start the first of January. First thing on my list is to finally get the treatment I’m desperately needing. Getting back on HRT will be the first step.

  6. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD after reading this article I am worried I am going through perimenopause. I am afraid my marriage is not going to make it. It has suffered greatly because of my ADHD. We are going to start therapy together and being on meds now will hopefully help. He told me he was cautiously optimistic but has walked on eggshells around me for so long that it’s going to take time. Thanks for listening..

  7. I remember when I was going through perimenopause. This was pre-internet and my symptoms were getting a lot worse. I found a book called “Menopause and the Mind” that really helped me. I started eating more soy at the time and it seemed to really help. This was in the 90s and I was so happy to find an explanation and some solutions.

  8. I was suffering from ongoing fatigue, brainfog and feelings of overwhelm, as well as hot flashes. After blood tests ruled out other possibilities like thyroid problems etc. I was placed on a contraceptive pill to regulate my hormones and suddenly I felt human again.

  9. Thank you for addressing this issue. One question though- my understanding is that early perimenopause is characterized by a decrease in progesterone, combined with greater fluctuations in estrogen levels. In fact, there are times during perimenopause when estrogen levels may be higher than they were previously. Not sure how this fits into the piece’s description of lower estrogen levels causing worsening ADD symptoms.

    1. Hi Tanya, did you ever get a response regarding the estrogen fluctuations during menopause?

      Thank Jenny

  10. I had this same thing happen. After being diagnosed later in life and finally feeling on top of my business as a Realtor suddenly I felt like old days: misplace my Keys forfeiting appointments losing phone numbers overwhelmed distracted etc. the. I was at the National seminar for adults with adhd and one session talked about effect of lower estrogen levels. I know friends who get “menopause brain” and so met with my doctor and I went on low dose hormones. What a difference. I got my brain back. I highly recommend checking into that.

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