03/17/2025
Declines in estrogen showed clinically significant 2-fold increases in ADHD symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.
Estrogen declines at various points in a woman’s life:
1. Mid-cycle: Just before ovulation, estrogen peaks and then rapidly declines after ovulation.
2. Premenstrually: The week before your period, estrogen levels drop again.
3. In Perimenopause (average age 47) and menopause (average age 51).
There are individual differences. When women had higher average estrogen, they showed fewer attention difficulties. Higher progesterone levels premenstrually seemed to also reduce attention difficulties.
Estrogen further impacts dopaminergic responses in the brain. A drop in estrogen leads to reduced dopamine activity, worsening ADHD symptoms. In ADHD, dopamine functioning in the prefrontal cortex disrupts executive functions and emotional regulation, while reduced dopamine in mesolimbic regions impairs reward processing.
To learn more about your hormones, mood, focus and sleep contact Symetrics or InspireHealth Niagara and let’s discuss it!
