ADHD Diagnoses May Be Rising In Menopausal Women

Melanie Lawson, founder of Bare Biology, said the ADHD diagnosis she got during perimenopause was “a shock, and then it was a relief”.

Explaining that she’d “coped” with what she now understands are ADHD symptoms all her adult life, during perimenopause, “The wheels came off in a way I couldn’t explain or manage. The brain fog was crushing. I’d forget things I’d never forgotten before… I assumed it was hormones (sometimes I thought it was dementia or a brain tumour – no joke), because what else would it be at 52?

“Perimenopause had finally stripped away every last coping mechanism I’d spent a lifetime building – and underneath was a brain that had always worked differently,” Lawson added.

Speaking to HuffPost UK, Eve Lepage, reproductive health specialist at Clue, said she’s noticed a “rise in ADHD diagnoses around perimenopause and menopause”. BBC Science Focus has also written about this “increase”.

Here, she shared her thoughts on the link.

It’s not necessarily that ADHD suddenly “appears” during the life stage, Lepage said, but that changes in hormones might exacerbate existing symptoms.

“Oestrogen plays an important role in brain function, particularly in regulating dopamine, which is key for attention, motivation, and executive function. During perimenopause, oestrogen levels fluctuate and eventually decline, which can disrupt these systems and amplify ADHD-related challenges,” she said.

A 2025 systematic review of 11 studies found that hormone changes in women, e.g., during their menstrual cycle, may be linked to changes in ADHD symptoms. Clue has paired up with Queen Mary University of London to investigate how the menstrual cycle affects those with the condition.

“Perimenopause can bring underlying ADHD traits to the surface. Many people have spent years compensating through coping strategies or symptom masking, but hormonal changes can intensify symptoms and make those strategies less effective,” Lepage added.

“As a result, challenges that have been present for a long time may become more noticeable and harder to manage. This can prompt people to seek answers, and in some cases, a diagnosis for the first time.”

There’s even evidence that perimenopause may begin earlier in people with ADHD, she continued.

“Perimenopause can cause brain fog, forgetfulness, low motivation, and mood changes, all of which can also present in ADHD. For some people, this leads to a new diagnosis, and for others, it highlights how hormonal changes can exacerbate underlying neurodivergent traits.

“The link is likely multifactorial: hormonal fluctuations can intensify ADHD symptoms, while underlying ADHD can shape how someone experiences and copes with perimenopause. At the same time, a cultural shift towards greater openness around menopause and neurodiversity is making it easier for people to connect with experiences and talk about them.”

The NHS says that you should see your GP if you notice signs of menopause or perimenopause, and the same goes for signs of ADHD that are disrupting your day-to-day life.

“If possible, speak to a healthcare provider who can look at the full picture. For some people, adjusting ADHD treatment is helpful; for others, it may be more about addressing menopausal symptoms. Often, it’s about finding the right balance between the two,” Lepage said.

“In everyday life, small practical adjustments can help. Externalising tasks by writing things down, setting reminders, and breaking tasks into smaller steps can help reduce the pressure on working memory and make things feel more manageable.”

She recommends trying your best to fall asleep and wake up at roughly the same time every day, following a wind-down sleep routine, eating balanced meals with enough protein and fibre, and avoiding skipping meals.

“Chronic stress can worsen both ADHD and perimenopause symptoms. Moving your body, spending time outside, or even a few minutes of structured downtime can help regulate stress without adding extra pressure,” she said.

“Other techniques, like practising mindfulness or breathing exercises, can help regulate your nervous system.”