For many women, the lived experience of ADHD is inseparable from hormones. Oestrogen, progesterone and other hormonal shifts influence mood, energy, cognitive clarity and stress tolerance, meaning ADHD symptoms can feel dramatically different across the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, postpartum, and especially through perimenopause.

Despite this, most diagnostic criteria and treatment frameworks were developed based on male presentations. This has left many women feeling misunderstood or unsupported when their symptoms fluctuate in ways that don’t match the textbooks. Understanding these patterns can be one of the most empowering steps in recognising and managing ADHD more effectively.

 

Oestrogen: the hormone that shapes cognitive clarity

Oestrogen plays a key role in dopamine regulation – the neurotransmitter most closely associated with focus, motivation and impulse control. When oestrogen levels are steady and higher (such as during the first half of the menstrual cycle), many women notice:

• improved concentration
• more stable mood
• greater

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