MissUnderstood: The ADHD in Women Channel
Jun 16, 2026 · 15 min · 10 segments
If your ADHD symptoms have spiked out of nowhere, perimenopause might be the culprit. Estrogen plays a direct role in dopamine regulation. When it fluctuates, your focus, memory, and emotional…
Monica JohnsonHost
Ever feel like your ADHD symptoms are spinning out of control even though you've been managing them for years? You might forget things that used to be second nature, struggle to focus on tasks that were once easy, or feel constantly irritable and overwhelmed.
It can feel like your brain is betraying you or like your ADHD is suddenly worse for no reason.
The truth is perimenopause, the stage before menopause, can amplify ADHD symptoms in a very real and very frustrating way.
The good news is you're not imagining it, and with the right support, you can feel more steady and in control again, whether that's adjusting your ADHD strategies, improving sleep, or talking with a doctor about hormone-related changes.
So today, I'll walk you through what we know about what's changing in your brain and your body during perimenopause, how it affects your focus, mood, and sleep, and how to adjust your support so your ADHD feels more manageable.
I'm your host, Dr. J. I'm a licensed psychologist who works with those with ADHD.
If the challenges that you've managed for years are suddenly spiking with age, this episode is for you.
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Ever feel like your ADHD symptoms are spinning out of control even though you've been managing them for years? You might forget things that used to be second nature, struggle to focus on tasks that were once easy, or feel constantly irritable and overwhelmed.
It can feel like your brain is betraying you or like your ADHD is suddenly worse for no reason.
The truth is perimenopause, the stage before menopause, can amplify ADHD symptoms in a very real and very frustrating way.
The good news is you're not imagining it, and with the right support, you can feel more steady and in control again, whether that's adjusting your ADHD strategies, improving sleep, or talking with a doctor about hormone-related changes.
So today, I'll walk you through what we know about what's changing in your brain and your body during perimenopause, how it affects your focus, mood, and sleep, and how to adjust your support so your ADHD feels more manageable.
I'm your host, Dr. J. I'm a licensed psychologist who works with those with ADHD.
If the challenges that you've managed for years are suddenly spiking with age, this episode is for you.