ADHD, PMS and PMDD: What’s the link?
If you’re a woman living with ADHD, you might’ve noticed a frustrating pattern: your ADHD symptoms seem to get way worse just before your period. You’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone.
There’s a growing awareness of the powerful link between ADHD, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), and PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). Let’s unpack what’s going on in the brain and body, and why understanding this connection could be life-changing for women and people with cycles who are neurodivergent.
First, a quick refresher:
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects executive function—things like focus, emotional regulation, time management, and impulse control.
PMS refers to the emotional and physical symptoms many people experience in the lead-up to their period—mood swings, fatigue, irritability, brain fog, anxiety.
PMDD is a more severe, often debilitating form of PMS, where symptoms like depression, rage, and anxiety can seriously impact daily life.
The Hormonal Rollercoaster: How Oestrogen Impacts ADHD
One of the key hormones in this story is oestrogen. Oestrogen doesn’t just affect the reproductive system—it also plays a major role in the brain. It boosts dopamine, the neurotransmitter that’s already in short supply for people with ADHD.
Over the course of a woman’s menstrual cycle, we have the follicular phase (starting with the bleed until ovulation:high levels oestrogen, lower levels progesterone), followed by the luteal phase (lower levels oestrogen, high levels progesterone) which ends at the next period. So, when oestrogen levels drop sharply in the days before your period, dopamine drops with it—and ADHD symptoms can worsen dramatically.
This hormonal shift can cause:
Increased distractibility
Low mood or depression
Heightened emotional sensitivity
Difficulty with motivation
More impulsive behavior
Anxiety or overwhelm
If you already live with ADHD, your brain is likely extra-sensitive to these dips in oestrogen and dopamine—essentially, you’re more vulnerable to the storm. Interestingly, these hormones would show up at similar levels in a blood test to neurotypical folk however it’s likely a hypersensitivity to these shifts and this is what studies show is responsible for the mood and cognitive changes.
PMDD and ADHD: A Double Whammy
Studies have shown that people with ADHD are more likely to experience PMDD, not just PMS. Why?
Because both PMDD and ADHD involve:
Emotional dysregulation
Sensitivity to hormonal shifts
Underlying differences in brain chemistry, especially around serotonin and dopamine
For many, PMDD symptoms can feel like a mini mental health crisis every month: rage, panic attacks, self-doubt, and hopelessness. Combined with ADHD, it can be a recipe for burnout, shame, or misdiagnosis.
Why This Connection is So Often Missed
Unfortunately, medical systems have historically been slow to understand:
How ADHD shows up differently in women
The impact of hormones on mood, cognition, and executive function
That mental health changes across the menstrual cycle are biological, not just emotional
Many women are told they're "just hormonal" or misdiagnosed with anxiety or bipolar disorder when the issue is actually cyclical ADHD symptom exacerbation or undiagnosed PMDD.
What Can You Do?
🌿 Track your cycle and symptoms
Use an app or journal to note when your ADHD feels worse. Patterns will often show up around ovulation (oestrogen drops), the luteal phase, or right before your period.
🌿 Talk to your healthcare provider
Not all GPs or specialists are familiar with this intersection—so advocate for yourself. A naturopath, psychiatrist, or hormone-literate practitioner may be more attuned.
🌿 Support dopamine naturally
Nutritional and lifestyle strategies that support dopamine—protein intake, exercise, magnesium, B-vitamins—may help buffer the premenstrual crash.
🌿 Consider treatment options
Some people find relief from:
ADHD medication adjustments around the cycle
Hormonal therapies (like the pill or progesterone support)
SSRIs taken only during the luteal phase for PMDD
Herbal support (e.g. chaste tree, saffron, magnesium) under guidance of a naturopath: me of course! Herbs can be an exceptional tool to support mental wellbeing and conditions like PMS/PMDD in neurodivergent women.
🌿 Validate your experience
You’re not weak or failing—your biology is shifting and asking for support. This knowledge can be empowering, not limiting.
Final Thoughts
The relationship between ADHD, PMS, and PMDD is complex—but understanding it is powerful. If you’ve been feeling like your ADHD flares unpredictably every month, your hormones might be a missing piece of the puzzle.
As always, you deserve care that sees the full picture: your brain, your body, your cycle, and your story.
If you need support with PMS/PMDD and you're neurodivergent, click HERE to get support today.