"Mind the (Hormonal) Gap: Neurodiversity, ADHD & the Menopause stewpot"
Welcome to the hormonal rollercoaster we didn’t sign up for—except now it’s doing loop-the-loops on a track made of brain fog, hot flushes and misplaced car keys (probably in the fridge- it won’t be the first or last time). And if you're neurodivergent—particularly living with ADHD—this wild ride may come with even fewer seat belts and a lot more screaming.
But fear not, fellow flame-throwing goddesses. You are not losing the plot. You’re navigating menopause with a differently-wired brain—and that’s a whole different kettle of perimenopausal fish fingers.
Wait, ADHD and menopause? That’s a thing?
It sure is. While menopause is a challenging time for many, women with ADHD are often blindsided by a massive uptick in symptoms they’ve spent years—decades, even—learning to manage. Forgetfulness? Check. Emotional dysregulation? Big check. Executive function? Never met her.
That’s because oestrogen, our brain’s favourite cheerleader, has been sneakily supporting our dopamine and serotonin levels all these years. As oestrogen levels ride that rollercoaster during perimenopause and into the menopause, ADHD symptoms can go from “mildly chaotic” to “where are my pants and what day is it?”
Neurodivergent women often get misdiagnosed—or completely missed—until menopause hits like a forgotten deadline. Many find themselves at their GP’s office, sobbing, not quite knowing why everything suddenly feels so much harder. The answer? A potent combo of shifting hormones and a lifetime of masking and compensating. After all we are the queens of this.
But I thought menopause was just hot flushes?
Oh, love… If only.
Menopause isn’t just about night sweats and mood swings—it’s a cognitive and emotional earthquake. Add ADHD into the mix and you've got a perfect storm of brain fog, irritability, disrupted sleep, anxiety, and that fun little habit of forgetting what you were doing mid-sentence (or as soon as you enter the room).
The problem? Many healthcare professionals still don’t connect the dots between neurodiversity and hormonal change—particularly in women who were socialised to internalise or camouflage their symptoms.
So what can I do?
First off: you’re not imagining it. And you’re not alone.
Track your symptoms – Keep a menopause and ADHD symptom journal (don’t worry, a voice note or scribble on a napkin counts). Tracking helps you spot patterns, whether it’s your focus falling off a cliff mid-cycle, or a mysterious rage at spoons being left in the sink.
Be kind to your body and mind- There are lots of ways that you can stay healthy yourself. Make sure you exercise, eat well, and get enough sleep. These things can help with both menopause and ADHD.
Try and control stress- I know easier said than done. Life is a juggling act and I struggle to catch one ball at a time. But do try things like deep breathing and meditation to relax. Less stress can reduce ADHD symptoms and menopause.
Seek help from your GP – Advocate for yourself. There is research out there showing you are far from alone ADDitude Publishes Groundbreaking Research on Menopause & ADHD
Consider an ADHD assessment – If you've always suspected you might be neurodivergent, this might be the time to explore it. Menopause can unmask ADHD in a way that finally makes sense of your whole life. Validation is powerful.
Be kind to your brain – It’s doing the best it can. Embrace planners, reminders, post-its, colour-coded calendars and radical compassion.
Neurospicy & menopausal? You’re a flaming legend.
Being neurodivergent and menopausal isn't a flaw—it’s just a different operating system in a world designed for Windows 95 ( I am sure there is a later version, but forgive me my IT knowledge peaked in 95). Yes, your brain works differently. Yes, it can feel like your superpowers are short-circuiting. But this isn’t the end of your story—it’s a wild, hilarious, liberating new chapter.
So pour yourself a cuppa (if you can remember where the kettle is), crank the fan, and repeat after me:
🧠 I am not lazy, broken, or losing it.
🔥 I am neurodivergent, menopausal, and absolutely fabulous.
👑 I deserve support that sees the whole me—brain fog and all.
