The age-related perimenopause phase (the 5-10 years before the actual menopause) can start as early as the age of around 35, although it is more common for most women to encounter the first symptoms around the age of 40. Whichever the case, as women journey through their life-phase of perimenopause, they often encounter a myriad of physical, emotional, and cognitive changes.
Probably the most annoying challenge for women with ADHD is having to face the increase in severity of their existing ADHD symptoms. Studies suggest and highlight that oestrogen and progesterone fluctuation can directly influence the neurotransmitter activities in the brain, especially regarding the neurotransmitter dopamine, which plays the most important role with ADHD related symptoms. Therefore, women entering the perimenopause should not be surprised to find themselves in an intensified landscape of the familiar ADHD symptoms and challenges (they might even find some random new ones being thrown at them).
The Main Difficulties
The combination of ADHD and fluctuation of oestrogen and progesterone amplifies the difficulties of
maintaining focus
time management
forgetfulness & “brain fog”
disorganisation
impulsivity
mood instability
anxiety
irritability
Women with ADHD encountering the symptoms of perimenopause might be confused on why their generally known symptoms suddenly are getting worse, despite no obvious changes in their lives. Note: if you see this happening, and you are somewhere between the age of 35 and 50, you are most likely to be experiencing the side effects of perimenopause on top of your ADHD.
The combination of ADHD and perimenopausal symptoms can create a perfect storm, intensifying emotional dysregulation and making it challenging to cope with everyday stressors. Distinguishing between the two can be difficult, leading to delayed diagnosis and inadequate treatment. Note: when seeking support and guidance from healthcare professionals, it is important to find a professional who understand the intersection of ADHD and hormonal changes.
If you do not have an official ADHD diagnosis, but you feel that the symptoms which perimenopause is hurling at you are not new, but in reality intensifying those already existing, having an assessment for underlying ADHD is an important step to ensure correct measures can be taken and the treatment can be effective as well as efficient. ADHD is not something that appears during adulthood, but all the symptoms will most likely have been following you around since childhood. Even if your healthcare provider might dismiss ADHD at first glance, don’t be afraid to insist on having it assessed properly.
The Stigma
Probably one of the worst overlaps between ADHD and perimenopause is the stigma around each of them. Societal misconceptions and stigma surrounding ADHD as well as the perimenopause is still quite common (although much better than has been in the past), even among medical staff, leading to even more challenges women face during this transitional period.
Women with ADHD or perimenopause may encounter scepticism or dismissal of their symptoms, leading to feelings of frustration, isolation, and self-doubt. A combination of ADHD and the perimenopause can become a major problem for women who do not have healthcare professionals who are able to connect the dots to get the full picture. Note: try to find a healthcare professional who listens to what you have to say without dismissing your feelings and experience. Make sure they offer you a range of possible treatments, and, if you do not have an ADHD diagnosis, but you feel this might be the case, insist to get a professional ADHD assessment.
Support is Crucial
Navigating perimenopause and menopause with ADHD requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both the hormonal and neurodevelopmental aspects of the condition.
Comprehensive care may include a combination of medication management, hormone therapy, psychoeducation, and behavioural strategies tailored to the individual's needs.
I cannot ephasise enough how important it is to break those stigmas. Neither ADHD nor the perimenopause present any reason why it should not be talked about openly and professionally. If we want to progress and make healthcare more specific to women, we need to address those topics to raise awareness and make it clear that simply dishing out old fashioned advice from the past century is not appropriate and must be corrected. So please, do not let the stigma hold you back from seeking support.
Women might find that their current strategies based on their experience with their ADHD might not uphold with the amplification of the symptoms as they have done. It is vital to recognise when strategies seem to fail and find support to either strengthen those existing strategies or change and ad new strategies as required. Building a strong support network is also crucial for women with ADHD during this stage of life. Connecting with support groups or online communities, can provide validation, education, and solidarity.
It’s All About You
Women with ADHD facing perimenopause encounter a complex interplay of symptoms and challenges that demand recognition, understanding, and targeted intervention. By acknowledging the unique experiences of each woman and offering personalised support, we can empower ourselves and others to navigate this transitional phase with the necessary resilience.
We offer you a supportive and non-judgmental environment where you can express your concerns, frustrations, and successes, helping you to cope with the emotional aspects of your ADHD and/or perimenopause. The methods and techniques we provide are your tried and tested (by us 😉) support-toolkit to help you deal with your challenges. You will get to know and understand yourself and your ADHD better, as well as learning how to successfully deal with the different aspects of your ADHD.
If you would like to find out more about our coaching services and how you might benefit from our support, feel free to contact us by either sending us an e-mail to welcome@its-all-about-you.ch, or browse our website and use our contact form when you feel ready to get in touch.
We look forward to meeting you and your ADHD 😊!
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