Why your ADHD symptoms get worse in the second half of your menstrual cycle

And why it feels like your medication has stopped working

How your menstrual cycle affects your ADHD

Does the severity of your ADHD symptoms vary throughout the month? Don’t worry, you’re not making it up. Those fluctuations are very much real. Especially the week before your period can be a tricky time with symptoms like irritability, sleep issues, forgetfulness, mood swings and anxiety going through the roof.

It’s our friend estrogen again

During the first two weeks of your menstrual cycle, estrogen levels are high and you may feel you can manage your ADHD symptoms better. As estrogen levels drop in the second half of your cycle, your symptoms may get a lot worse.

This is because estrogen influences the release of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine - neurochemicals our ADHD brains are already struggling with. Whilst everybody experiences this drop in estrogen in the second half of their cycle, women with ADHD are likely to feel the impact a lot more.

Depleted estrogen levels can also negatively impact the effectiveness of stimulant medications. So it’s a double bubble, really.

ADHD, PMS and PMDD

And if your worsening ADHD symptoms weren’t enough, there’s also research that shows that women with ADHD are more likely to suffer from hormone-related mood disorders like PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) and PMS (premenstrual syndrome). According to ADDitude up to 46% of women with ADHD experience PMDD. If you think you are one of the 46%, speak to your doctor. You don’t need to suffer in silence.

So what can you do?

1. Keep a journal and track your cycle and symptoms
Knowing your own cycle and how it impacts how you feel will help you plan your life accordingly. When is it best to say no to that big night out and when is a good time to schedule that important presentation?

2. Prioritise rest and get enough sleep
Are you getting some time to relax and wind down? Make sleep a priority at all times but especially in the second half of your cycle

3. Eat well, avoid too much caffeine and alcohol. If your ADHD gets worse as estrogen declines, dial in on lifestyle changes. Eating a balanced diet and avoiding alcohol and caffeine during that time of the month can help alleviate symptoms.

4. Get outside and move
We all know this one but it’s worth repeating. Exercise helps our ADHD brain a LOT. Get outside, go for a walk or do whatever exercise works for you. I know it can seem hard/almost impossible to think about exercising when you’re not feeling well but even a gentle walk will make a big difference.


Have I forgotten something? Let me know how your menstrual cycle impacts your ADHD and what helps you cope. Let’s share our wisdom and help each other.