Hormones and ADHD

Hormonal changes aggravate ADHD for men and women alike. What’s more, symptom severity often grows more pronounced during puberty, postpartum, perimenopause, menopause, and andropause (often called male menopause).

What’s unclear: Why this is happening and how to cope with it.

What does the science say — and what is unknown — about the impact of hormonal fluctuations on ADHD symptoms? Are treatments and interventions available to help manage symptoms during each hormonal phase? Hormones and ADHD answers those questions and more in its 190 pages.

7-PART GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING HOW HORMONAL CHANGES EXACERBATE ADHD SYMPTOMS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN

Hormones and ADHD contains expert advice and resources spanning the following topics:

CHAPTER 1: THE URGENT NEED FOR RESEARCH ON HORMONES AND ADHD

• We know that hormones collide with ADHD to cause heightened mood dysregulation, memory problems, and impulsivity each month, but we don’t know how hormonal transitions over a lifetime impact ADHD symptoms, comorbid conditions, and treatment outcomes.
• There is little to no research on menopause and ADHD, specifically, but plenty of anecdotal evidence supports a link between the two.
• There is virtually no reliable science regarding the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for perimenopausal or postmenopausal women.

CHAPTER 2: HOW THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE COMPLICATES ADHD DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

• Fluctuating hormonal levels through the monthly cycle may impact symptom severity, mood, functioning, and even medication efficacy.
• Understanding the impact of emotional dysregulation as it ebbs and flows during the menstrual cycle is the first step to safeguarding the mental health of teen girls with ADHD.
• Research shows that women with ADHD may experience more severe symptoms of hormone-related mood disorders, such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), than women without ADHD.

CHAPTER 3: HOW HORMONES IMPACT ADHD SYMPTOMS IN BOYS AND MEN

• There is no conclusive evidence that an individual’s testosterone level influences the likelihood of developing ADHD.
• Testosterone levels remain relatively stable until midlife, when they begin to decline gradually, approximately 1 percent per year.
• Fluctuating testosterone levels during puberty are associated with greater risk-taking behavior among boys.

CHAPTER 4: HOW PUBERTY EXACERBATES ADHD SYMPTOMS IN TEENS

• As puberty invariably influences ADHD symptoms, some teens may require treatment with medication for the first time, while others may benefit from adjustments.
• Teens with ADHD are at a higher risk for car accidents and moving violations, unwanted teen pregnancy, substance and alcohol use disorder, and self-harm.
• Brain development in the frontal lobe—the region involved in executive function skills, such as problem-solving, conflict resolution, planning, and impulse control—is often delayed 2 to 3 years in teens with ADHD.

CHAPTER 5: ADHD TREATMENT DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY

• No clear-cut studies exist regarding the safety of stimulant medication use while pregnant.
• Women with ADHD are six times more likely than neurotypical mothers to experience postpartum anxiety, and five times more likely to experience postpartum depression (PPD).
• Frequent screenings are the most powerful tool for early detection of PPD and other postpartum mood disorders.

CHAPTER 6: ADHD IN MIDLIFE

• It is not uncommon for women with ADHD to be misdiagnosed or undiagnosed during perimenopause and menopause.
• ADHD medications may improve memory, focus, and organization in menopausal women.
• Women with ADHD may face an even greater risk for cardiovascular disease during perimenopause than their non-ADHD peers.

CHAPTER 7: COMMUNITY VOICES + ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• The underdiagnosis of ADHD in adult women and the lack of awareness that they may need different treatment approaches are ongoing medical equity issues with serious consequences.
• Children and teens going through puberty benefit from set expectations, routines, and sleep.
• ADHD is still primarily viewed as a predominantly male disorder, leading to gender gaps in diagnosis, treatment options, and research.

Hormones and ADHD: How Hormonal Changes During Puberty, Pregnancy, Perimenopause, Menopause, and Andropause Exacerbate ADHD Symptoms

ORDER THE SPECIAL REPORT NOW!
The full report includes 190 pages of expert advice and information on treatments and interventions for each hormonal phase, signs and symptoms for comorbidities, such as depression, PMDD, and PPD; and self-advocacy tips to get providers to listen, plus more from ADDitude!

PLEASE NOTE: This eBook is a downloadable PDF; it does not ship.