Question: Hi Dr. Barkley - it seems like either my symptoms get worse or my meds work less as I approach that time of the month, i.e. getting my period. What is the cause or correlation between period symptoms and ADHD? Is there anything women can do to reduce these effects?
Answer: Yes, there is some interesting recent research on this long neglected topic in women with ADHD and an article will be out in my newsletter in August by Ellen Littman and colleagues summarizing what we know about this, which isn't much but squares with your experience.  My newsletter is The ADHD Report.  In short, ADHD symptoms in women are affected by the balance their estrogen/progesterone hormones.  As they fluctuate during the month and even across life, ADHD symptoms can get markedly worse or better.  For instance, a few studies suggest that ADHD in girls may start in childhood, but can also appear at the start of menses in adolescence, and can be worsened by entering peri menopause as well.  Clinicians often find helpful to add extra meds or  other treatments around the monthly menses and even at menopause to try to cope with the exacerbation of symptoms and emotional dysregulation, not to mention working memory.  some clinicians, for instance, add an antidepressant or even mood stabilizer to the usual ADHD medications at these times to help women deal with these fluctuating symptoms.  Periodically, check Google Scholar to see what new research might be appearing on this but its clearly an issue worth more research to understand and treat it.
content: Q: Hi Dr. Barkley - it seems like either my symptoms get worse or my meds work less as I approach that time of the month, i.e. getting my period. What is the cause or correlation between period symptoms and ADHD? Is there anything women can do to reduce these effects?
   Ans: Yes, there is some interesting recent research on this long neglected topic in women with ADHD and an article will be out in my newsletter in August by Ellen Littman and colleagues summarizing what we know about this, which isn't much but squares with your experience.  My newsletter is The ADHD Report.  In short, ADHD symptoms in women are affected by the balance their estrogen/progesterone hormones.  As they fluctuate during the month and even across life, ADHD symptoms can get markedly worse or better.  For instance, a few studies suggest that ADHD in girls may start in childhood, but can also appear at the start of menses in adolescence, and can be worsened by entering peri menopause as well.  Clinicians often find helpful to add extra meds or  other treatments around the monthly menses and even at menopause to try to cope with the exacerbation of symptoms and emotional dysregulation, not to mention working memory.  some clinicians, for instance, add an antidepressant or even mood stabilizer to the usual ADHD medications at these times to help women deal with these fluctuating symptoms.  Periodically, check Google Scholar to see what new research might be appearing on this but its clearly an issue worth more research to understand and treat it.