On-Demand Webinars

“Hormonal Fluctuations and ADHD: How Estrogen May Impact Symptoms Throughout Life” [Video Replay & Podcast #484]

Access the video replay, listen to the podcast episode (#484), download the slide presentation, and learn how to get a certificate of attendance for this ADHD Experts webinar originally broadcast on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.

ADHD Expert: Jeanette Wasserstein, Ph.D. Verified Updated on April 19, 2024
Click to Add Comments

Episode Description

“Now why did I walk in here? I can’t remember.”

“Brain fog,” short-term memory lapses, and poor time management are proverbial complaints among women living through perimenopause and menopause, but could these cognitive problems — and others with mood regulation and overwhelm — point to something more?

As of now, no clear links have been established between ADHD and mental changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. However, estrogen plays a pivotal role in regulation of many neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, which are also central to ADHD symptom expression. Logically, it stands to reason that loss of estrogen would influence the ADHD brain.

This webinar updates our previous discussion of the impact of estrogen change during the climacteric and expands our consideration of findings across the lifespan. We will discuss how estrogen shifts impact cognition, complicate treatment, and may worsen or even “create” ADHD. We will also consider ways to lessen the impact of these changes, in part by reviewing cutting-edge research findings regarding menopause and ADHD, made possible by survey responses from readers of ADDitude magazine.

In this webinar you will learn about:

  • The role of estrogen in cognition
  • Cognitive changes during the menstrual cycle, perimenopause, and menopause
  • The impact of menopause on ADHD or the development of “pseudo-ADHD”
  • Practical management techniques to help women with ADHD meet the challenges of hormone fluctuation during the life cycle, including menopause

Watch the Video Replay

Enter your email address in the box above labeled “Video Replay + Slide Access” to watch the video replay (closed captions available) and download the slide presentation.

Download or Stream the Podcast Audio

Click the play button below to listen to this episode directly in your browser, click the  symbol to download to listen later, or open in your podcasts app: Apple Podcasts; Google Podcasts; Audacy; Spotify; Amazon Music; iHeartRADIO.

More on Hormones & ADHD

Obtain a Certificate of Attendance

If you attended the live webinar on December 19, 2023, watched the video replay, or listened to the podcast, you may purchase a certificate of attendance option (cost: $10). Note: ADDitude does not offer CEU credits. Click here to purchase the certificate of attendance option »

Meet the Expert Speaker

Jeanette Wasserstein, Ph.D., is a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, New York. She is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist who has spent the last 20 years specializing in the diagnosis, research, and treatment of adults with ADHD. She also focuses on educating those who treat or live with the condition. She has published numerous articles and book chapters regarding the nature of ADHD and associated comorbidities, as well as its assessment and treatment. Visit her website at CNSsupport.com.

Listener Testimonials

“I feel better equipped to advocate for myself after learning more about hormone treatment.”

“It’s relieving and horrifying to have confirmation on the link between perimenopause and increased ADHD symptoms… Thank you for shedding light and for all of your hard work and efforts. Your gift to this community is immeasurable.”

“Please showcase the work of Dr. Wasserstein more often!”

Follow ADDitude’s full ADHD Experts Podcast in your podcasts app:
Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Google Play | Amazon Music | RadioPublic | Pocket Casts | iHeartRADIO | Audacy