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Are Women with ADHD More Likely to Have Hormonal Comorbidities? 

PostedOctober 14, 2025
UpdatedOctober 15, 2025
ByMy Patient Advice
Author: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Yes,  hormonal comorbidities in ADHD women are more common than many realise. Hormonal fluctuations can intensify ADHD symptoms, and women with ADHD often report increased challenges during certain life stages, particularly around their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and perimenopause. These hormonal shifts can interact with the brain’s chemistry, leading to more pronounced mood swings, concentration issues, and emotional sensitivity. 

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The Link Between Hormones and ADHD in Women 

Here’s how hormonal comorbidities in ADHD women typically present: 

Menstrual cycle sensitivity 

Many women with ADHD notice that symptoms worsen in the days before their period. This is likely due to drops in oestrogen, which plays a role in dopamine regulation, the very neurotransmitter most implicated in ADHD. Increased distractibility, emotional reactivity, and mental fatigue are all common. 

Perimenopause and symptom flare-ups 

 During perimenopause, fluctuating hormones can cause a significant resurgence of ADHD symptoms. Women who may have coped well earlier in life often find this stage extremely destabilising, brain fog, forgetfulness, and irritability can spike, making day-to-day management harder. 

Compounding comorbidities 

ADHD often coexists with conditions like PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) or thyroid disorders, both of which are hormonally influenced. The presence of these hormonal comorbidities can muddy the diagnostic process and delay effective treatment. 

Rethinking Diagnosis and Care 

Understanding the interplay between ADHD and hormonal health is crucial for women. Without awareness, hormonal shifts can be misread as mood disorders or stress alone, leading to missed or incomplete diagnoses. 

Visit providers like ADHD Certify for assessments that factor in hormonal cycles and offer gender-informed ADHD care. 

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Late diagnosis and gender differences. 

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Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS, author and a reviewer for my patient advice - mypatientadvice.co.uk
Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS
Author

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.