We Demand Greater Research on Women with ADHD

Women experience more impairing ADHD symptoms and more devastating consequences than men with the condition. Yet, research has found that women remained undiagnosed and untreated for longer than their male counterparts, who are referred for evaluation and diagnosed at significantly higher rates.¹

Why the gender disparity? Lopsided medical research, in part, perpetuates gender stereotypes and ignores fundamental truths about ADHD in women that could unlock superior care.

We Demand Attention! A Call for Greater Research on Women with ADHD highlights what we know about women with ADHD and what we need to know. From puberty to menopause, and PMDD to age-related cognitive decline, the research need is vast.

In its 90+ pages, We Demand Attention! identifies the top research priorities for women with ADHD, according to available studies and reports, medical experts, and ADDitude readers, such as:

• How do ADHD symptoms present differently and more intensely in women compared to men?
• What are the long-term health implications of a delayed ADHD diagnosis or misdiagnosis for females?
• How do hormonal fluctuations impact ADHD symptoms?
• How do perimenopause and menopause uniquely impact women with ADHD?
• Why do women with ADHD experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and postpartum depression (PPD) at elevated rates?
• Is ADHD medication use significantly protective of parents during pregnancy and while nursing?
• Could ADHD medication adjustments during the menstrual cycle improve outcomes for women?
• What are the long- and short-term implications of hormonal birth control and hormone replacement therapy use among women with ADHD?
• How and why do comorbid conditions like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders impact women with ADHD?
• What are the early indicators of self-harm, partner violence, substance abuse, and other adverse outcomes common among women with ADHD?
• How can you get involved and demand more research on women with ADHD?
• And much more!

Above all, adults will learn about health research priorities for women with ADHD, how such research will significantly impact the lives of females, and what is needed to make this a reality.

11-PART GUIDE TO GENDER EQUITY IN MEDICAL RESEARCH

This comprehensive report describes the gaping holes in research that have led to real-life risks and impediments for countless women with ADHD — and what you can do about it.

CHAPTERS INCLUDE:

• WE DEMAND ATTENTION ON SEX DIFFERENCES IN ADHD

  • How and why do ADHD symptoms manifest differently and more intensely in women vs. men?

• WE DEMAND ATTENTION ON THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF LATE-LIFE ADHD DIAGNOSES ON WOMEN

  • What are the long-term health implications of delayed ADHD diagnosis and/or misdiagnosis for women?

• WE DEMAND ATTENTION ON HOW HORMONAL CHANGES IMPACT ADHD SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN

  • How do fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones from adolescence to post-menopause impact neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which play a crucial role in focus, attention, and mood?

• WE DEMAND ATTENTION ON HOW PERIMENOPAUSE AND MENOPAUSE IMPACT ADHD SYMPTOMS, AND VICE VERSA

  • How do the hormonal changes of perimenopause and menopause uniquely impact women with ADHD, and how can the often-overlapping symptoms of each condition be teased apart for proper diagnosis and effective treatment?

• WE DEMAND ATTENTION ON THE ELEVATED RISK FOR PMDD AND PPD AMONG WOMEN WITH ADHD

  • Is there an inherent component of ADHD, or the interplay between dopamine and estrogen, that makes women with ADHD experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and postpartum depression (PPD) with greater likelihood and severity than other women?

• WE DEMAND ATTENTION ON THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF ADHD MEDICATION USE DURING PREGNANCY AND WHILE NURSING

  • Do the benefits of ADHD medication use to expectant and new parents outweigh the potential risks to babies who may be exposed to stimulant medications in utero or through breast milk?

• WE DEMAND ATTENTION ON HOW MEDICATION ADJUSTMENTS DURING THE MONTHLY MENSTRUAL CYCLE AND MENOPAUSE COULD IMPROVE TREATMENT OUTCOMES FOR WOMEN

  • Could adjusting dosages during menstrual cycle phases—especially increasing an ADHD medication’s dosage during low-estrogen phases—provide more consistent symptom management for ovulating individuals?

• WE DEMAND ATTENTION ON THE BENEFITS AND RISKS OF HORMONAL CONTRACEPTION AND HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY FOR WOMEN WITH ADHD

  • Can hormonal birth control be used to safely mitigate the effects of monthly hormonal fluctuations on ADHD symptoms? Can hormone replacement therapy be used to safely counteract the effects of reduced estrogen on ADHD symptoms in menopause?

• WE DEMAND ATTENTION ON HOW AND WHY COMORBID CONDITIONS LIKE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION UNIQUELY IMPACT WOMEN WITH ADHD

  • Beyond late diagnosis, what other factors contribute to the high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and other comorbid conditions among women with ADHD?

• WE DEMAND ATTENTION ON SELF-HARM, INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG WOMEN WITH ADHD

  • How can we better protect girls and women with ADHD against the unique risks and adverse outcomes that pose a serious threat to their health and well-being?

• NEXT STEPS & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

  • How to contact the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research and join research studies on women with ADHD and related conditions.

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  We Demand Attention! A Call for Greater Research on Women with ADHD

  ORDER THE SPECIAL REPORT NOW!
  The full report has even more detailed information on why more gender-based studies are needed, expert insights, available research, and personal stories from ADDitude!

*ADDitude is dedicated to honoring gender diversity and fluidity. For the purposes of this reporting, we use the terms “girls” and “women” to refer to individuals assigned female at birth and/or who identify as female.

PLEASE NOTE: This eBook is a downloadable PDF; it does not ship.

Source

¹ Klefsjö, U., Kantzer, A. K., Gillberg, C., & Billstedt, E. (2021). The Road to Diagnosis and Treatment in Girls and Boys with ADHD—Gender Differences in the Diagnostic Process. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 75(4), 301–305. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2020.1850859