Researchers at Queen Mary University and Kings College in London are conducting a study involving 50 women with ADHD to investigate the relationship between menstrual cycles and symptom severity. The research was prompted by widespread anecdotal reports on social media and online forums suggesting that ADHD symptoms intensify during certain phases of the menstrual cycle.
Participants in the study are tracking their menstrual cycles and documenting how their ADHD symptoms fluctuate throughout the month, including changes in concentration, emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, and impulsive behavior. They are also noting whether their ADHD medications remain effective during different cycle phases. According to Dr. Sally Cubbin, a psychiatrist and neurodiversity specialist involved in the research, hormonal changes—particularly the dip in estrogen that occurs before menstruation—may affect dopamine levels and thereby exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
The research comes amid growing recognition of ADHD in adult women. Roughly 2.5 million people in the UK are estimated to have ADHD, though hundreds of thousands remain on NHS waiting lists for diagnosis. Recent NHS data showed a 23% increase in ADHD medication prescriptions compared to the prior year, reflecting increased awareness and demand for assessments. However, a government taskforce report noted that ADHD continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated in some areas.
Participants in the study have reported that their ADHD medication becomes less effective during certain menstrual phases. Some described the experience as losing essential support, while others noted making more impulsive decisions at those times. Dr. Jessica Agnew-Blais, the lead researcher, indicated that the study may provide insights into how hormonal transitions such as menopause and perimenopause affect ADHD symptoms, areas she described as important new frontiers in ADHD research.
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