Yes, this is why ADHD symptoms and diagnoses go up during perimenopause. *And* it’s why American viewers need to be aware of and fight against attempts to limit hormonal contraceptives and hormone-replacement therapies, which aid in controlling ADHD symptoms.
But don't hormonal contraceptives come with a who host of issues that can potentially be life long? I was under the impression that they can cause significant emotion dysregulation because they're messing with our hormones. I have ADHD and was on hormonal contraceptives during mid to late adolescence and early adulthood and had significant Sui Idea, and I've been a lot more regulated since not being on hormonal contraceptives. Many other women can attest to this, however, not all women are effected in this way... But it's something that we should be mindful of. I'd be curious to know your reasons for hormonal contraceptives being available for women with ADHD.
I don't know anything about lifelong issues from contraceptives. Everyone reacts differently to them, but the effects go away when you stop taking them. HRT for peri- and post-menopausal women is recommended for women with ADHD as it helps keep dopamine levels stable.
I can tell you that when premature menopause joined my combined ADHD, my life was truly ripped apart. I had always had breakdowns every 7ish years, but always built myself back up and then achieved even more in the next "good years". But I went from the world expert in a niche research area, with 3 degrees and a PhD....to a recluse who struggles to do basic tasks...and it's as if, those bricks I would normally rebuild with, have been stolen. My personality has been massively diluted, yet I can't get anyone to look at the fact these two conditions are interacting (UK based)....I think they are waiting for the research to then be implemented.
I feel something like this has happened to me. I struggled with dyslexia and adhd (undiagnosed). Hit peri menapause and I stopped being able to function. No one , not even GP understands and HRT was a nightmare because they just stuck me on such a high dose I thought I had a breakdown. So good to see people researching this for women. ❤
I'm in the UK. Get your GP to prescribe HRT estradiol. Tell them you haven't had a period for 12 months and they'll probably prescribe it. If you are already in menopause they don't even question your need for HRT.
I wasn't diagnosed until the age of 44 (following my youngest son's Dx, as happens with so many of us women who were missed as children), and I'm almost 54 now. This was absolutely my experience. Peri-menopause shattered my previous coping strategies, and then menopause just made the dysfunction permanent instead of monthly. I have *a little* of my capacity back thanks to the estradiol patch I'm now using for MHT, but I doubt my brain will ever be the same. The worst part has been that none of my health care providers, whether physical, mental, or therapeutic, knew what was going on, either, and they certainly had no idea how to help. I was just one of those "whiny woman" patients that they were warned about in school. It's been a long road back from the psych ward I eventually landed in as a result. We need so much more research and so much less medical gaslighting.
For the first year an a half when I started ADHD medication, I found that the medication didnt work at all from ovulation all the way to my period. That was usually 10 or so days, plus 5 to 7 days of period. I had less than 2 good weeks every month. The fluctuations were too much. Turns out I have PMDD It wasnt until I started continuous birth control (no periods for 3 months) that I finally started to see my life improve and my adhd medication finally worked!
I just switched back to continuous birth control pills! I'd done that for over twelve years before I had kids and it was great (no periods), but I had not a clue I had adhd yet. Now post two kids and trying nexplannon for a year, the chaos is hopefully ending or at least lessening soon 🙏
Im going through menopause and the effects on my ADHD, depression and anxiety have been catastrophic. I'm working with doctors to resolve it but due to the lack of knowledge in the field we are pretty much experimenting with hormone cocktails. It saddens me that half the world's population goes through some level of changes during menopause that are physically and mentally significant but there is so little research into this area.
i‘m so happy for you that your doctors are willing to work with you and try to get you on the right hormone cocktail and dosage. hope you find what works for you soon.
Dr. Sparkly ✨ (I know it's Barkley, but it sounds like Sparkly, and as you're an absolute diamond I thought it fitted!), I just wanted to say thank you for looking out for us ❤❤❤
Thank you so much for posting this, I've been wondering about this for some months now as my 13 year old daughter who has ADHD has had a very difficult time since menstruation started, and as she was a previously very happy child it has been a tough year for all of us. She often says her medication feels like it's not working sometimes as she does not tolerate medication well and suffers with intense fatigue so she is on a low dose and has had extended breaks from medication which impacts her mental health quite drastically. This may well validate what she has been saying. All the best to you and your family x
Same with my 13 year old. April will make a year since her first and is still getting used to it. She does pretty well, just needs reminders to keep herself very clean and change her pads often.
Have a look at possible treatments for PMDD. I really fear it will be a problem for my daughter as well as I struggled with it from puberty on, but was not diagnosed with ADHD then and had to find out myself that I could possibly have PMDD and then got diagnosed with ADHD when I was 39.
You might want to check out pmdd and endometriosis as it seems more of us have these conditions also goes for people with asd. My personal experience that high dose omega 3 roughly 1800-2000 mg a day plus Hawthorne oil helps reduce inflammation and also improves depressive component of adhd , magnesium citrate has also been a help for sleep and pain plus helps a lot with anxiety, more calm roughly 500 - 600 mg a day however this is not magic but it can help , vit d3 can also help again anti inflammatory and also for many women with adhd hormones can make us more sensitive also to SAD seasonal affective disorder also strengthens the immune defence which is often needed with adhd because of too much stress which often shows up as apathy or lazyness. Would read up on the research and talk to a gynecologist rather
Check if she has pmdd like other comments had said. This happened to me when I started my period at 12 but we didn’t know what pmdd was. Finally got diagnosed at 23 years old. I’m using holistic methods to heal it because ssris and birth control have made things worse tbh
Thank goodness this research has been done! It won’t impact me as I’m in Perri menopause already. However, it will help all the young female ADHDers to at least be believed, acknowledged, supported and validated. This alone will go a long way to improving mental health and well-being!
It may actually still help you! If your GP and psychiatrist are worth their salt, they will follow this and might be able to help you (and me in just a few years) out during perimenopause and menopause too. There is quite a bit of research on the way about ADHD+hormones in women in general. I don't know if you have seen the channel, but there's one called ADHD Broadcasting Europe and they have been keeping an eye out for this subject for a bit. They have some useful interviews with a couple of researchers on the subject. I haven't had a period for 5+ years, since I was put on the mini pill for my hormonal migraines, and those pills have helped my QOL and EF with ADHD so much. Completely incidental finding. Man, I wish I had been on the mini pill or other continuous birth control when I was younger. Like you, I am thrilled for the younger women that this study is out, but don't give up on the idea that there might just be relief for us post-menstrual women too in the near future. ❤
Thank you for sharing this! As a transgender woman taking weekly Estradiol, my hormone levels fluctuate across the week. I have noticed that the day I need to take my hormones, which is where my weekly levels are lowest, is often my most challenging day for ADHD symptoms. Combined with the lower energy and mood from the low estrogen levels, it can really be a struggle to accomplish much on those days. It's amazing what a difference hormones can have.
@@jennifersanford6858 I would ask about different options for HRT. Do you only take Estrogen? There are daily options, which may result in a more even hormone distribution....(I'm based in UK so may not be true where you are)
yeah. it's kinda crazy I'm also trans and I apply hormones in topic gel form every night, and I can still feel the fluctuation throughout the month. No wonder I have days where I struggle extra hard with my adhd!
Yes, Thank you for talking about this. It’s terribly important…speaking from experience. I was lucky to find a hormone specialist/functional medicine Dr that my insurance covered so I went for bloodwork every 3 months (at the same time of month to keep it scientific) and after years of this tracking the hormones it was more than obvious that I had a situation called “estrogen dominance” the worst symptoms being heightened depression and anxiety and suicidal thoughts when the estrogen is high (in my case hundreds of points higher than the normal high range.) (for reference I have ADHD and Asperger’s and the COMT gene) instead of being prescribed an antidepressant My Dr prescribed an estrogen blocker that I take when it’s high and it lowers it within 30 minutes making me feel my normal self. It It pains me to think of all the people on antidepressants that need hormone help instead. The closest thing I found to working like the estrogen blocker is magnesium glycinate and bupleurum root powder. Hope this helps someone out there. ❤
Would you mind sharing the details of the oestrogen blocker? I also have very high oestrogen levels. So high they had to check for an ovarian tumour. I have to make dietary and lifestyle changes to help reduce it but they put me on progesterone cream to balance the ratio of oestrogen/progesterone . It makes everything so much worse. I like the sound of just blocking the oestrogen and being my normal self again.
I was diagnosed at 53 likely because perimenopause was ramping up my symptoms. One of my children was diagnosed first, but I missed it completely. I noticed the exact things described in the research, but had no idea why. I’m still trying to find my footing at 55. Thank you for all of your ADHD work!
Thank you Dr Barkley for This is valuable information!! I had a terrible time of what I thought was severe PMT from teens right through to the onset of Perimenopause at 46 through to 54 when my periods stopped with the following year 2024 being diagnosed with ADHD!! I knew something wasn't quite right as no other Girl or Woman I knew were experiencing these symptoms to the severity I was!! The men in my life did not know what the heck was going on nor did I. I felt like I was going crazy, severe anxiety and depression along with outbursts of rage. Now medicated for ADHD I am breathing a huge sigh of relief and can now attempt to live a normal existence. Phew!!
I think I have PMDD as well. I experience issues with my medication, mostly it not working, before my period. I’m so glad this is being talked about more. I truly feel like a different person sometimes, in a very negative way.
My daughter pointed this out to me. She was referencing the depression but also her mood swings and focus. At that time I was in my 40s, and hadn’t been diagnosed. I had been dealing with anxiety, depression, and several other issues my whole life. 40+ years and I never saw the pattern, glad I raised a kid who was more aware of her body.
The difference it made in my adhd symptoms when I was undiagnosed when I got onto birth control was massive. I just thought it was the PMDD chilling out making life easier (which might have been a valid thing too) but it was doubly proven when I got onto adhd medicine and I noticed my controlled cycle was still letting me dip too far and I couldn't function very well for almost a week and a half outta the month. Then I just started leaving my nuvaring in for the whole month to keep the hormone levels more even and that helped a good bit but they still dip enough that I notice the difference. That's why my doc let's me take up to 5mg more per day split into two separate doses to just give me the little bump I need during those bad days. I even have the programmed into my calendar so I don't have to remember when I'm going to probably feel less in control of myself.
ADHD was hard enough when I was younger. I'm now in my late 50's and it's crippling me. All the men in my life are looking at me smugly with their generic "Just try harder, just do better, just be better" and I want to scream and run away and live in the woods by myself. I can't handle much more of this
I'm glad this study covered the shifts that can happen month to month, but in my experience there can also be a shift (multiple shifts?) that occurs over a much longer period of time. I've known I have ADHD since the mid-90s but that in no way prepared me for a shift in type and severity of symptoms I've had throughout my 30s. Also, puberty was hell and since no one knew (or maybe it was just that no one was talking about it, I'm not really sure) about the hormone-ADHD connection, I was blamed for a lot of negative behaviors during that time. It sucked. This research seems like it'll be good (helpful, useful, validating, etc.), but MORE research with a wider scope would be better!
I when I was a teenager was told I had a hormone imbalance. 2 weeks in every month I was a different person compared to the 1 I was for the remainder of the month. Now I'm slightly older prior to that time I literally slow down to the point where I struggle to function. Once it's arrived I begin but still slowly to function once again then once it's over I'm proper functioning until the next time. When that pre time of the month arrives I find I'm slightly more braver so the mask comes away and the a rather cheeky side to me reemerges.
I’m male, but I so appreciate this being looked at more. My mother had severe PMS, and also chased dopamine her whole life. I am still unsure if she had ADHD (she certainly had anxiety), but neither she nor my father was neuotypical (nor am I).
Thank you. This is soooooo important! Glad about all the new research !!! Things are allowed to make sense now. And if relief isn't an emotion to reach for. I don't know what is 🙂
Dr Barkley … Thank you so much for this !! I would be particularly interested in research about perimenopause / menopause and ADHD … And if Menopause Hormone Replacement therapy can be helpful in addition to the usual medication for ADHD.
In my experience yes it does. I started taking HRT at 46 and found relief almost immediately. However I still had low level depression along with anxiety PTSD symptoms and was prescribed Sertraline. This also helped immensely but as I hit age 52-55 with complete debilitating exhaustion needing to sleep all the time once I'd hit full blown Menopause. I did more research and knew then I had ADHD, which was undiagnosed by a Psychiatrist at 7yrs old in 1976 only to be given liquid Valium!! Last Oct '24 I paid for a private ADHD diagnosis and all my questions were answered. Now on ADHD medication I feel like a new Woman with a life worth living 🙏 and Yes I am still taking HRT and Sertraline, all work together perfectly.
Thank you, Dr B, for covering this critical aspect of women's experience with ADHD. I was a (very) late diagnosis and I strongly believe that the estrogen fluctuations caused by menopause are what sent me into a complete tailspin after decades of building systems for myself to cope with my ADHD symptoms and sent me seeking an evaluation. We need evidence like this to fight the bad data put out by the women's health initiative on HRT, especially with the much better and safer hormone replacement options we have available now.
Thank you so much for caring about this topic so deeply! I learned something new today and my changing symptoms make sense to me now. Greetings from Austria
im 31f, I always feel like the 'walls' in front of menial-but-important tasks are insurmountable the day before my period and sometimes for the first 1-3 days of it too.
I met Dr. Dora Winchank a few years back, after finishing graduate cert. on ADHD, and writing a paper on exactly this subject. She is doing the Lord’s work for us all. Some days I still wish I could have gone back to grad school and studied this more thoroughly. Thank you Dr. Barkley for platforming this issue!
Thank you for this, I will definitely be reading that study when it becomes available. My ADHD symptoms weren't really noticeable until I hit puberty, so it's an issue I would love to learn more about!
Tried several different medications, children's minds are always all over the place, unfortunately my parents didn't teach me how to focus, I learned that on my own, doing great
Like so many other women, perimenopause is what caused everything to start unraveling for me. The coping mechanisms and strategies that I have relied on just no longer work. The PMDD is so bad that it's like clockwork once a month I start contemplating blowing up my life because I am convinced there's no hope. I am on continuous single phase birth control, which has helped somewhat, but not enough. My life is so much harder and I function at such a lower level now. And i hear it only gets worse once menopause hits 😢
There definitely needs to be more research. As a women who is unable to take HRT due to genetic factors the lack of options is frustrating. Knowing that things will just continue to get worse is irritating and depressing.
Are you sure on this because there is some new studies out on biohrt with a lot of people in them … might be that it is still the case for you personally but the earlier research has been shown to have lacks . You might want to revisit the research to check.
Thank you for the heads up! I'm being terrified by women with ADHD in perimenopause on Reddit whilst trying to see what's going on with my symptoms. It's been a proverbial storm so far, hopefully further research will lead to further help in symptom management.
I was wondering if more could be said about those in menopausal and post menopausal women. As a post menopausal woman, my symptoms seem much worse. And, I've heard that it is in fact worse. Then, I was wondering if it stays worse all the way through old age?
Thank you for the information and the links to the website. My 13 year old ADHD daughter had her first period last April and so far has taken to it pretty well. The only thing that is hard for her is having to explain to her why I don't get mine ( I had a hysterectomy) I can tell when she is about ready to start. she gets really moody and likes to keep to herself in her room (like most teenagers lol 😄)
I’ve recently been diagnosed with adhd a few months ago and noticed this. I’ve thought about doing research on it as well but seem to have been beat to it 😂. But definitely I also have bad PMS and organization, then once it passes everything is back to normal
Is this talking about PMDD, or is that another thing completely? Learning about PMDD has taught me how to recognize my triggers and taking antihistamine vitamins or medicine has helped me a lot.
Antihistamine!! Okay you piqued my interest as I’m thinking the same thing for me, can I ask if ok, is it food allergies worsen during your period? Which one do you use and what sort of vitamins. I have self diagnosed PMDD I don’t think it’s separate it’s a comorbid thing with adhd and it is exerbating the adhs sysptoms circularly with the hormones that’s what pmdd definition I take to mean as.
Did they screen for PMDD, PME, and PMS+? Given the correlation between PMDD incidence with anxiety, depression, and often significant trauma, in conjunction with ADHD comorbidities, I think there is room for a study or 10 there.
Darn, was hoping for some new insight about perimenopause/menopause and ADHD. As our estrogen levels decline in midlife and ovulation slows down, many women wonder if they have ADHD at this time including myself. I was diagnosed with perimenopause and offered hormone replacement therapy and it has helped but I still think I have ADHD. Estrogen is a major neurotransmitter and does a lot more than just reproductive stuff btw. It can affect a lot of symptomology including mental stuff!
Thank you for bringing actionable intelligence to parents with children with ADHD... I've yet to go through all your videos but wondering if there's anything linking a higher risk of drug induced (THC) psychosis in people with ADHD?
The connection between estrogen and dopamine is interesting. Could testosterone be used to treat the drop in energy during perimenopause and menopause?
My pmdd has made it vital for me to track my periods to brace my self but going through perimenopause now and I feel like I’m losing my mind, my vyvanse only works half the month because of that it’s really difficult.
Dr Barkley, what about birth control hormone pills, the combination ones? Have they been included in studies? Do they help regulate ADHD or worsen? I'm wondering if I was protected by them bc of how bad my exec funct symptoms are now post meno then post oophorectomy vs how well I was coping in my reproductive years. ( I'm nulliparous so don't have that comparison)
Question: Is there any research on how hormonal contraceptive/replacement medication affect this? Also, would increasing the dosage of adhd medication during these times (pre and during menstruation) help with this? Thanks!
@@russellbarkleyphd2023 Experimentally in one of the major clinics in Sweden who does pre- diagnose tests they have noticed that increasing medication from mid cycle to end of menstruation helps many and conversely that people can need less medication the two first weeks, not support as much so def -there is room for research here !!!!! Also heard that before from the habilitation unit in Sthlm who does courses on how to cope with asd/ adhd from female psychologists/ employees they ask people to take into account if they are effected by their cycle so that they can better cope , know what is coming - don’t however know if that is standard or if I was lucky . Also heard it from other people who has talked to their psychiatrists about it . Anecdotally there also seems to be overlap with pmdd and also more frequent endometriosis for asd/adhd/ adhd ( likely my take due to the common problems with immune system, allergies also worsen and fluctuate with the cycle btw)
Tried several different medications, children's minds are always all over the place, unfortunately my parents didn't teach me how to focus, I learned that on my own, doing great
Yes, this is why ADHD symptoms and diagnoses go up during perimenopause. *And* it’s why American viewers need to be aware of and fight against attempts to limit hormonal contraceptives and hormone-replacement therapies, which aid in controlling ADHD symptoms.
But don't hormonal contraceptives come with a who host of issues that can potentially be life long? I was under the impression that they can cause significant emotion dysregulation because they're messing with our hormones. I have ADHD and was on hormonal contraceptives during mid to late adolescence and early adulthood and had significant Sui Idea, and I've been a lot more regulated since not being on hormonal contraceptives. Many other women can attest to this, however, not all women are effected in this way... But it's something that we should be mindful of.
I'd be curious to know your reasons for hormonal contraceptives being available for women with ADHD.
I don't know anything about lifelong issues from contraceptives. Everyone reacts differently to them, but the effects go away when you stop taking them. HRT for peri- and post-menopausal women is recommended for women with ADHD as it helps keep dopamine levels stable.
I can tell you that when premature menopause joined my combined ADHD, my life was truly ripped apart.
I had always had breakdowns every 7ish years, but always built myself back up and then achieved even more in the next "good years".
But I went from the world expert in a niche research area, with 3 degrees and a PhD....to a recluse who struggles to do basic tasks...and it's as if, those bricks I would normally rebuild with, have been stolen. My personality has been massively diluted, yet I can't get anyone to look at the fact these two conditions are interacting (UK based)....I think they are waiting for the research to then be implemented.
I feel something like this has happened to me. I struggled with dyslexia and adhd (undiagnosed). Hit peri menapause and I stopped being able to function. No one , not even GP understands and HRT was a nightmare because they just stuck me on such a high dose I thought I had a breakdown. So good to see people researching this for women. ❤
Thank you for sharing your experience. I can relate. Suddenly, things make a lot more sense.
You described this perfectly.
Same
I'm in the UK. Get your GP to prescribe HRT estradiol. Tell them you haven't had a period for 12 months and they'll probably prescribe it.
If you are already in menopause they don't even question your need for HRT.
I wasn't diagnosed until the age of 44 (following my youngest son's Dx, as happens with so many of us women who were missed as children), and I'm almost 54 now. This was absolutely my experience. Peri-menopause shattered my previous coping strategies, and then menopause just made the dysfunction permanent instead of monthly. I have *a little* of my capacity back thanks to the estradiol patch I'm now using for MHT, but I doubt my brain will ever be the same. The worst part has been that none of my health care providers, whether physical, mental, or therapeutic, knew what was going on, either, and they certainly had no idea how to help. I was just one of those "whiny woman" patients that they were warned about in school. It's been a long road back from the psych ward I eventually landed in as a result. We need so much more research and so much less medical gaslighting.
I’m so sorry! I feel many of the exact same things! Perimenopause also obliterated my coping mechanisms! Giant virtual hugs to you!!! ❤❤❤
For the first year an a half when I started ADHD medication, I found that the medication didnt work at all from ovulation all the way to my period. That was usually 10 or so days, plus 5 to 7 days of period. I had less than 2 good weeks every month. The fluctuations were too much. Turns out I have PMDD
It wasnt until I started continuous birth control (no periods for 3 months) that I finally started to see my life improve and my adhd medication finally worked!
I just switched back to continuous birth control pills! I'd done that for over twelve years before I had kids and it was great (no periods), but I had not a clue I had adhd yet. Now post two kids and trying nexplannon for a year, the chaos is hopefully ending or at least lessening soon 🙏
Im going through menopause and the effects on my ADHD, depression and anxiety have been catastrophic. I'm working with doctors to resolve it but due to the lack of knowledge in the field we are pretty much experimenting with hormone cocktails. It saddens me that half the world's population goes through some level of changes during menopause that are physically and mentally significant but there is so little research into this area.
Catastrophic is the word
i‘m so happy for you that your doctors are willing to work with you and try to get you on the right hormone cocktail and dosage. hope you find what works for you soon.
Dr. Sparkly ✨ (I know it's Barkley, but it sounds like Sparkly, and as you're an absolute diamond I thought it fitted!), I just wanted to say thank you for looking out for us ❤❤❤
cute!
Thank you so much for posting this, I've been wondering about this for some months now as my 13 year old daughter who has ADHD has had a very difficult time since menstruation started, and as she was a previously very happy child it has been a tough year for all of us. She often says her medication feels like it's not working sometimes as she does not tolerate medication well and suffers with intense fatigue so she is on a low dose and has had extended breaks from medication which impacts her mental health quite drastically. This may well validate what she has been saying. All the best to you and your family x
I wasn't diagnosed until 45. I feel sorry for my 13 year old self because it sucked so badly. I hope this helps her get the help she needs.
Same with my 13 year old. April will make a year since her first and is still getting used to it. She does pretty well, just needs reminders to keep herself very clean and change her pads often.
Have a look at possible treatments for PMDD. I really fear it will be a problem for my daughter as well as I struggled with it from puberty on, but was not diagnosed with ADHD then and had to find out myself that I could possibly have PMDD and then got diagnosed with ADHD when I was 39.
You might want to check out pmdd and endometriosis as it seems more of us have these conditions also goes for people with asd. My personal experience that high dose omega 3 roughly 1800-2000 mg a day plus Hawthorne oil helps reduce inflammation and also improves depressive component of adhd , magnesium citrate has also been a help for sleep and pain plus helps a lot with anxiety, more calm roughly 500 - 600 mg a day however this is not magic but it can help , vit d3 can also help again anti inflammatory and also for many women with adhd hormones can make us more sensitive also to SAD seasonal affective disorder also strengthens the immune defence which is often needed with adhd because of too much stress which often shows up as apathy or lazyness. Would read up on the research and talk to a gynecologist rather
Check if she has pmdd like other comments had said. This happened to me when I started my period at 12 but we didn’t know what pmdd was. Finally got diagnosed at 23 years old. I’m using holistic methods to heal it because ssris and birth control have made things worse tbh
Finally the HELL is being recognised.
Thank goodness this research has been done! It won’t impact me as I’m in Perri menopause already. However, it will help all the young female ADHDers to at least be believed, acknowledged, supported and validated. This alone will go a long way to improving mental health and well-being!
It may actually still help you! If your GP and psychiatrist are worth their salt, they will follow this and might be able to help you (and me in just a few years) out during perimenopause and menopause too. There is quite a bit of research on the way about ADHD+hormones in women in general.
I don't know if you have seen the channel, but there's one called ADHD Broadcasting Europe and they have been keeping an eye out for this subject for a bit.
They have some useful interviews with a couple of researchers on the subject.
I haven't had a period for 5+ years, since I was put on the mini pill for my hormonal migraines, and those pills have helped my QOL and EF with ADHD so much. Completely incidental finding.
Man, I wish I had been on the mini pill or other continuous birth control when I was younger.
Like you, I am thrilled for the younger women that this study is out, but don't give up on the idea that there might just be relief for us post-menstrual women too in the near future. ❤
Thank you for covering this. I cant believe how little research is out there. ❤
Thank you for sharing this! As a transgender woman taking weekly Estradiol, my hormone levels fluctuate across the week. I have noticed that the day I need to take my hormones, which is where my weekly levels are lowest, is often my most challenging day for ADHD symptoms. Combined with the lower energy and mood from the low estrogen levels, it can really be a struggle to accomplish much on those days. It's amazing what a difference hormones can have.
@@jennifersanford6858 I would ask about different options for HRT. Do you only take Estrogen? There are daily options, which may result in a more even hormone distribution....(I'm based in UK so may not be true where you are)
yeah. it's kinda crazy
I'm also trans and I apply hormones in topic gel form every night, and I can still feel the fluctuation throughout the month. No wonder I have days where I struggle extra hard with my adhd!
Yes, Thank you for talking about this. It’s terribly important…speaking from experience. I was lucky to find a hormone specialist/functional medicine Dr that my insurance covered so I went for bloodwork every 3 months (at the same time of month to keep it scientific) and after years of this tracking the hormones it was more than obvious that I had a situation called “estrogen dominance” the worst symptoms being heightened depression and anxiety and suicidal thoughts when the estrogen is high (in my case hundreds of points higher than the normal high range.) (for reference I have ADHD and Asperger’s and the COMT gene) instead of being prescribed an antidepressant My Dr prescribed an estrogen blocker that I take when it’s high and it lowers it within 30 minutes making me feel my normal self. It It pains me to think of all the people on antidepressants that need hormone help instead. The closest thing I found to working like the estrogen blocker is magnesium glycinate and bupleurum root powder.
Hope this helps someone out there. ❤
Would you mind sharing the details of the oestrogen blocker? I also have very high oestrogen levels. So high they had to check for an ovarian tumour. I have to make dietary and lifestyle changes to help reduce it but they put me on progesterone cream to balance the ratio of oestrogen/progesterone . It makes everything so much worse. I like the sound of just blocking the oestrogen and being my normal self again.
@ yes it’s called Anastrozole (1mg). I used to take progesterone too but unfortunately over the long term it did not reign in the estrogen. 🕊️
@@WakeNUp2 thank you 🙏
@@elainegnutrition 🙏🏻🤗
@@elainegnutrition DIM could also be a non-prescription option to look into if you haven't already.
I was diagnosed at 53 likely because perimenopause was ramping up my symptoms. One of my children was diagnosed first, but I missed it completely. I noticed the exact things described in the research, but had no idea why. I’m still trying to find my footing at 55. Thank you for all of your ADHD work!
yup, we get one good week per month
😢
Thank you Dr Barkley for This is valuable information!! I had a terrible time of what I thought was severe PMT from teens right through to the onset of Perimenopause at 46 through to 54 when my periods stopped with the following year 2024 being diagnosed with ADHD!! I knew something wasn't quite right as no other Girl or Woman I knew were experiencing these symptoms to the severity I was!! The men in my life did not know what the heck was going on nor did I. I felt like I was going crazy, severe anxiety and depression along with outbursts of rage. Now medicated for ADHD I am breathing a huge sigh of relief and can now attempt to live a normal existence. Phew!!
I think I have PMDD as well. I experience issues with my medication, mostly it not working, before my period. I’m so glad this is being talked about more. I truly feel like a different person sometimes, in a very negative way.
My daughter pointed this out to me. She was referencing the depression but also her mood swings and focus. At that time I was in my 40s, and hadn’t been diagnosed. I had been dealing with anxiety, depression, and several other issues my whole life.
40+ years and I never saw the pattern, glad I raised a kid who was more aware of her body.
The difference it made in my adhd symptoms when I was undiagnosed when I got onto birth control was massive. I just thought it was the PMDD chilling out making life easier (which might have been a valid thing too) but it was doubly proven when I got onto adhd medicine and I noticed my controlled cycle was still letting me dip too far and I couldn't function very well for almost a week and a half outta the month. Then I just started leaving my nuvaring in for the whole month to keep the hormone levels more even and that helped a good bit but they still dip enough that I notice the difference. That's why my doc let's me take up to 5mg more per day split into two separate doses to just give me the little bump I need during those bad days. I even have the programmed into my calendar so I don't have to remember when I'm going to probably feel less in control of myself.
ADHD was hard enough when I was younger. I'm now in my late 50's and it's crippling me. All the men in my life are looking at me smugly with their generic "Just try harder, just do better, just be better" and I want to scream and run away and live in the woods by myself. I can't handle much more of this
This.
I'm glad this study covered the shifts that can happen month to month, but in my experience there can also be a shift (multiple shifts?) that occurs over a much longer period of time. I've known I have ADHD since the mid-90s but that in no way prepared me for a shift in type and severity of symptoms I've had throughout my 30s. Also, puberty was hell and since no one knew (or maybe it was just that no one was talking about it, I'm not really sure) about the hormone-ADHD connection, I was blamed for a lot of negative behaviors during that time. It sucked.
This research seems like it'll be good (helpful, useful, validating, etc.), but MORE research with a wider scope would be better!
I when I was a teenager was told I had a hormone imbalance. 2 weeks in every month I was a different person compared to the 1 I was for the remainder of the month. Now I'm slightly older prior to that time I literally slow down to the point where I struggle to function. Once it's arrived I begin but still slowly to function once again then once it's over I'm proper functioning until the next time. When that pre time of the month arrives I find I'm slightly more braver so the mask comes away and the a rather cheeky side to me reemerges.
I’m male, but I so appreciate this being looked at more. My mother had severe PMS, and also chased dopamine her whole life. I am still unsure if she had ADHD (she certainly had anxiety), but neither she nor my father was neuotypical (nor am I).
Thank you. This is soooooo important! Glad about all the new research !!! Things are allowed to make sense now. And if relief isn't an emotion to reach for. I don't know what is 🙂
Dr Barkley … Thank you so much for this !!
I would be particularly interested in research about perimenopause / menopause and ADHD …
And if Menopause Hormone Replacement therapy can be helpful in addition to the usual medication for ADHD.
In my experience yes it does. I started taking HRT at 46 and found relief almost immediately. However I still had low level depression along with anxiety PTSD symptoms and was prescribed Sertraline. This also helped immensely but as I hit age 52-55 with complete debilitating exhaustion needing to sleep all the time once I'd hit full blown Menopause. I did more research and knew then I had ADHD, which was undiagnosed by a Psychiatrist at 7yrs old in 1976 only to be given liquid Valium!! Last Oct '24 I paid for a private ADHD diagnosis and all my questions were answered. Now on ADHD medication I feel like a new Woman with a life worth living 🙏 and Yes I am still taking HRT and Sertraline, all work together perfectly.
I'm 53 and going through the throws of perimenopause, and cor blimey, it is BRUTAL on my poor neurodivergent brain... 😖
Thank you so much for highlighting this, Dr. Barkley.
Thank you for covering this.
Thank you, Dr B, for covering this critical aspect of women's experience with ADHD. I was a (very) late diagnosis and I strongly believe that the estrogen fluctuations caused by menopause are what sent me into a complete tailspin after decades of building systems for myself to cope with my ADHD symptoms and sent me seeking an evaluation. We need evidence like this to fight the bad data put out by the women's health initiative on HRT, especially with the much better and safer hormone replacement options we have available now.
dr barkley out here hitting the gym. thanks for this video. didn't know that estradiol was so important for dopamine...
Thank you so much for caring about this topic so deeply! I learned something new today and my changing symptoms make sense to me now.
Greetings from Austria
im 31f, I always feel like the 'walls' in front of menial-but-important tasks are insurmountable the day before my period and sometimes for the first 1-3 days of it too.
I met Dr. Dora Winchank a few years back, after finishing graduate cert. on ADHD, and writing a paper on exactly this subject. She is doing the Lord’s work for us all. Some days I still wish I could have gone back to grad school and studied this more thoroughly.
Thank you Dr. Barkley for platforming this issue!
Thanks Doc
Thank you for this, I will definitely be reading that study when it becomes available. My ADHD symptoms weren't really noticeable until I hit puberty, so it's an issue I would love to learn more about!
You have changed my life! Thank you 🎉
Thank you so much for sharing this and in helping me feel seen and validated!!
Thanks Dr B, it so validating to hear this.
Thank you, Dr. Barkley. We need this information!!
Tried several different medications, children's minds are always all over the place, unfortunately my parents didn't teach me how to focus, I learned that on my own, doing great
Thank you Dr. Barkley for this video. 🎉
Thank you 🙏🏻 thank you 🙏🏻
Like so many other women, perimenopause is what caused everything to start unraveling for me.
The coping mechanisms and strategies that I have relied on just no longer work.
The PMDD is so bad that it's like clockwork once a month I start contemplating blowing up my life because I am convinced there's no hope.
I am on continuous single phase birth control, which has helped somewhat, but not enough.
My life is so much harder and I function at such a lower level now. And i hear it only gets worse once menopause hits 😢
Great work Russ!
Thanks, James.
There definitely needs to be more research. As a women who is unable to take HRT due to genetic factors the lack of options is frustrating. Knowing that things will just continue to get worse is irritating and depressing.
Are you sure on this because there is some new studies out on biohrt with a lot of people in them … might be that it is still the case for you personally but the earlier research has been shown to have lacks . You might want to revisit the research to check.
I was diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety, never had a problem with my periods, my moods pretty much stayed the same, menopause wasn't bad either
Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!
Thank you for the heads up! I'm being terrified by women with ADHD in perimenopause on Reddit whilst trying to see what's going on with my symptoms. It's been a proverbial storm so far, hopefully further research will lead to further help in symptom management.
I was wondering if more could be said about those in menopausal and post menopausal women. As a post menopausal woman, my symptoms seem much worse. And, I've heard that it is in fact worse. Then, I was wondering if it stays worse all the way through old age?
Thank god science is catching up to our lived experience!
It would be interesting if there was a study of trans women with ADHD that get female hormone treatment and the effect it has on their ADHD.
Thank you for the information and the links to the website. My 13 year old ADHD daughter had her first period last April and so far has taken to it pretty well. The only thing that is hard for her is having to explain to her why I don't get mine ( I had a hysterectomy) I can tell when she is about ready to start. she gets really moody and likes to keep to herself in her room (like most teenagers lol 😄)
Thanks doc; interesting stuff 🙂
thank you 🥰
Need to send this to my gynie. 🤬
I'm glad younger women (and other AFAB folks) will have this verification. A little late for me, sadly.
It was true for me back in the day...
I’ve recently been diagnosed with adhd a few months ago and noticed this. I’ve thought about doing research on it as well but seem to have been beat to it 😂. But definitely I also have bad PMS and organization, then once it passes everything is back to normal
That's a lovely wall art!
Thanks! My partner got them in Singapore years ago while living there. I thought they made for an artsy backdrop. Be well.
It would be great if they could also track symptoms for cognitive disengagement symptoms (previously sluggish cognitive tempo)
Is this talking about PMDD, or is that another thing completely? Learning about PMDD has taught me how to recognize my triggers and taking antihistamine vitamins or medicine has helped me a lot.
Antihistamine!! Okay you piqued my interest as I’m thinking the same thing for me, can I ask if ok, is it food allergies worsen during your period? Which one do you use and what sort of vitamins. I have self diagnosed PMDD I don’t think it’s separate it’s a comorbid thing with adhd and it is exerbating the adhs sysptoms circularly with the hormones that’s what pmdd definition I take to mean as.
My take after talking to people with adhd is that we seem to get pmdd and endometriosis much more commonly .
Did they screen for PMDD, PME, and PMS+? Given the correlation between PMDD incidence with anxiety, depression, and often significant trauma, in conjunction with ADHD comorbidities, I think there is room for a study or 10 there.
Darn, was hoping for some new insight about perimenopause/menopause and ADHD. As our estrogen levels decline in midlife and ovulation slows down, many women wonder if they have ADHD at this time including myself. I was diagnosed with perimenopause and offered hormone replacement therapy and it has helped but I still think I have ADHD. Estrogen is a major neurotransmitter and does a lot more than just reproductive stuff btw. It can affect a lot of symptomology including mental stuff!
I often wondered if there was a connection between ADHD & the onset of dementia, especially in females.
I made the firm decision years ago, in the next life, I will be a male.
Thank you for bringing actionable intelligence to parents with children with ADHD... I've yet to go through all your videos but wondering if there's anything linking a higher risk of drug induced (THC) psychosis in people with ADHD?
I know a day before I would start my period I would have a difficult time making a decision on just about anything. Mostly though based around food.
The connection between estrogen and dopamine is interesting. Could testosterone be used to treat the drop in energy during perimenopause and menopause?
No control group?
My pmdd has made it vital for me to track my periods to brace my self but going through perimenopause now and I feel like I’m losing my mind, my vyvanse only works half the month because of that it’s really difficult.
Medication also don't work the same depending on where I am in the cycle 😢
Dr Barkley, what about birth control hormone pills, the combination ones? Have they been included in studies? Do they help regulate ADHD or worsen? I'm wondering if I was protected by them bc of how bad my exec funct symptoms are now post meno then post oophorectomy vs how well I was coping in my reproductive years. ( I'm nulliparous so don't have that comparison)
Question: Is there any research on how hormonal contraceptive/replacement medication affect this? Also, would increasing the dosage of adhd medication during these times (pre and during menstruation) help with this? Thanks!
No, not yet.
@@russellbarkleyphd2023 Experimentally in one of the major clinics in Sweden who does pre- diagnose tests they have noticed that increasing medication from mid cycle to end of menstruation helps many and conversely that people can need less medication the two first weeks, not support as much so def -there is room for research here !!!!! Also heard that before from the habilitation unit in Sthlm who does courses on how to cope with asd/ adhd from female psychologists/ employees they ask people to take into account if they are effected by their cycle so that they can better cope , know what is coming - don’t however know if that is standard or if I was lucky . Also heard it from other people who has talked to their psychiatrists about it . Anecdotally there also seems to be overlap with pmdd and also more frequent endometriosis for asd/adhd/ adhd ( likely my take due to the common problems with immune system, allergies also worsen and fluctuate with the cycle btw)
@@russellbarkleyphd2023 Ah that's unfortunate :( Thank you for the reply, though!
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Not surprising.
This is not news at all... Psychiatrists in DK sometimes accept/prescribe higher doses related to/ around periods.
Tried several different medications, children's minds are always all over the place, unfortunately my parents didn't teach me how to focus, I learned that on my own, doing great
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