Marla Ahlgrimm | Are ADHD and Hormones Related?

ADHD and hormone-related issues are often front and center in women’s health topics. But are the two related? The answer is yes… ADHD can be influenced by hormones in women and girls, though it isn’t caused by hormones. Today, Marla Ahlgrimm takes a closer look at the complex relationship between ADHD and hormonal changes.

Estrogen

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, estrogen increases the activity of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which are closely tied to attention, motivation, and emotional regulation. When estrogen levels are high, many women notice better focus, improved impulse control, and a greater sense of motivation. However, for women with ADHD, a drop in estrogen can often make symptoms worse. This is especially true during times of hormonal transition, when the brain may struggle to compensate for these changes.

Hormone fluctuations

Women with ADHD often report that their symptoms worsen during certain phases of their menstrual cycle, throughout pregnancy, in the postpartum period, and during perimenopause. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that the natural ups and downs of hormones during these times can make thinking feel foggy, focus harder to maintain, and emotional responses more intense. For some women, ADHD symptoms may seem almost unmanageable when hormone levels fluctuate sharply.

PMS can intensify ADHD

Marla Ahlgrimm notes that the brain is particularly sensitive to hormonal changes, and women with ADHD may experience heightened irritability, low frustration tolerance, brain fog, and emotional dysregulation. These symptoms often feel more pronounced than in women without ADHD, which can affect work performance, relationships, and daily functioning. Understanding this connection can help women distinguish between PMS symptoms and ADHD-related challenges.

ADHD often goes undiagnosed

One of the challenges is that ADHD and hormone-related symptoms often overlap. Marla Ahlgrimm says this can lead to misdiagnosis, with many girls and women being told they are experiencing anxiety, depression, PMS, or other mood disorders, when ADHD is the underlying factor. Recognizing ADHD as a persistent neurological condition rather than just a response to hormones is crucial for proper treatment and support.

What you can do

ADHD is a neurological condition tied to norepinephrine and dopamine regulation. Stabilizing hormones may help improve focus, reduce emotional ups and downs, and provide clearer thinking during PMS or other hormonal transitions. Marla Ahlgrimm recommends that women track their symptoms alongside their menstrual cycles or other life-stage changes to better understand how hormones affect their ADHD.

Additionally, combining hormone management with ADHD-specific strategies, such as behavioral techniques, therapy, or medication, can be effective. Women who are aware of these connections can better advocate for themselves with healthcare providers, implement lifestyle strategies to reduce symptoms, and make informed choices about hormone therapies.

Understanding the connection between ADHD and hormones is an important step in managing symptoms more effectively. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that paying attention to both brain chemistry and hormonal health gives women the tools they need to navigate daily challenges with clarity, confidence, and balance.