ADHD Women Face More Perimenopausal Symptoms
New research shows that ADHD affects more than just attention.
Updated February 7, 2026 | Reviewed by Tyler Woods
Written with Annika Angelo, MS
ADHD is a condition known to impact attention , activity patterns, and even emotional regulation . But the effects of having ADHD can go well beyond simple changes in behavior.
A study from 2025 showed that women with ADHD were almost twice as likely to experience perimenopausal symptoms as women without ADHD (54% vs 30%, respectively). Among perimenopausal women, 59% experienced psychological symptoms such as anxiety , depressive moods, irritability, and fatigue. Physical symptoms were also present in 30% of them, with symptoms like hot flashes, headaches, or palpitations, while these symptoms were present in only 14% of women without ADHD.
Additionally, the study found that women with ADHD tended to have these symptoms earlier in life (around 35-39 years old) compared to non ADHD women, who experienced their peak symptoms around 45 years old.
Two questions arise from these observations: Why are women with ADHD more impacted by perimenopause , and why are symptoms more severe?
On one hand, anxiety and lower socio-economic status are known risk factors for perimenopausal symptoms. Women with ADHD match both of those conditions. Individuals with ADHD in general tend to have higher levels of anxiety than the general population, and to have a lower-socio economic status, or in general to have financial difficulties. It could simply be that the chronic stress caused by living with ADHD could be the sole cause of this increased risk of perimenopause in women with ADHD.
The study, though, also outlines certain genetic predispositions that, combined with environmental factors, create the ideal cocktail for an increased risk of having perimenopausal symptoms.
The intensity of those symptoms, though, could stem from a different root. In fact, research shows that Estrogen plays a role in modulating ADHD symptoms. Women with ADHD are at higher risk for PMDD and other cycle-related issues in particular, because their ADHD symptoms become more intense and more difficult to manage when estrogen levels decrease.
During perimenopause, this is precisely what happens. This means that on top of dealing with "regular" perimenopausal symptoms and the related increased anxiety, women with ADHD also have to deal with more intense ADHD symptoms, which often also correlate with increased anxiety.
The study pointed out that women with ADHD also had a higher prevalence of lifetime PTSD symptoms, and when accounting for this confounding factor, they noticed that although women with ADHD and without PTSD still had increased risks of having perimenopausal symptoms, not having PTSD reduced risks and symptom intensity.
This suggests that one way of handling this critical life phase for women with ADHD might be to focus on interventions aimed at reducing chronic stress and inflammatory responses.
Either way, these studies outline the importance of understanding how ADHD impacts all areas of life and shed light on the possible interventions that could make life easier for many women, who often have to deal with their struggles for years without support.
Jakobsdóttir Smári U, Valdimarsdottir UA, Wynchank D, de Jong M, Aspelund T, Hauksdottir A, Thordardottir EB, Tomasson G, Jakobsdottir J, Lu D, Nevriana A, Larsson H, Kooij S, Zoega H. Perimenopausal symptoms in women with and without ADHD: A population-based cohort study. Eur Psychiatry. 2025 Sep 4;68(1):e133. doi: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2025.10101. PMID: 40903825; PMCID: PMC12538516.
Perimenopause and ADHD: New Groundbreaking Research Connects ADHD with Earlier Perimenopause, Angelo A, 2026, doi: https://nutrimindlab.com/perimenopause-adhd-new-research/
Share this post Facebook Bluesky Linkedin Email
There was a problem adding your email address. Please try again.
By submitting your information you agree to the Psychology Today Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
Ludovico Saint Amour di Chanaz, Ph.D., is a neuroscientist, neurodiversity advocate, and author of The ADHD User’s Manual.
Get the help you need from a therapist near you–a FREE service from Psychology Today.
This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.