Some women with ADHD associate changes in attention, memory, mood, energy, or emotional regulation with hormonal influences. Systematic reviews suggest that there may be a relationship involving puberty and the menstrual cycle. For some women, the days before menstruation bring poorer focus, increased forgetfulness, or a greater emotional burden, while others notice little or no change. Research suggests that interactions between sex hormones and the dopamine system may offer one possible explanation. However, it cannot yet be regarded as a proven or straightforward cause-and-effect process.

Pregnancy and the postnatal period bring further physical and hormonal changes. These occur alongside sleep deprivation, changes to established routines, new appointments, feeding schedules, and the organisation of household responsibilities. Together, these demands can place additional pressure on attention, working memory, and emotional regulation. An organisational system that worked previously may no longer provide enough support during this period. Even so, these experiences do not, by themselves, prove that the changes are directly caused by hormones.

Perimenopause may also be a stage when some women begin to consider ADHD for the first time. During this period, disrupted sleep, mood changes, word-finding difficulties, forgetfulness, reduced concentration, stress, and so-called “brain fog” may partly overlap with earlier ADHD-related experiences.

Hormonal changes may make difficulties more noticeable

• ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition whose features begin in childhood.

• Hormonal changes do not mean that ADHD began during perimenopause or menopause.

• Hormonal changes, disrupted sleep and changing circumstances may make existing difficulties more noticeable.