ADHD and Hormones in Females: What We Know So Far

ADHD and Hormones in Females: What We Know So Far

When most people think about ADHD, they picture kids bouncing off the walls or struggling to focus in school. But ADHD doesn’t just “go away” as you grow up—it often continues into adulthood and can really affect daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.

For women and people assigned female at birth, ADHD is even trickier. It’s often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, partly because symptoms can look different than in men, and partly because there’s still so much we don’t know about how hormones affect the ADHD brain. Hormonal changes—like those that happen during puberty, across the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, or later in life—can have a big impact on mood, focus, and energy. But the connection between ADHD symptoms and hormones hasn’t been fully explored.

A recent systematic review looked at research published from 1980 through early 2025 to see what evidence we have so far. Out of all the available studies, only 11 directly examined ADHD in females in relation to hormonal changes. Even though the studies were small and varied, the evidence suggests a real link between sex hormones and ADHD symptoms, especially during puberty and across the menstrual cycle. For example, some women reported that their ADHD symptoms felt more intense at certain points in their cycle.

The big picture? Hormones likely play a meaningful role in how ADHD shows up for females. But since the research is limited, we still need more studies—especially focusing on stages like pregnancy and menopause—to get a clearer understanding.

Citation:Osianlis E, Thomas EHX, Jenkins LM, Gurvich C. ADHD and Sex Hormones in Females: A Systematic Review. J Atten Disord. 2025 Jul;29(9):706-723. doi: 10.1177/10870547251332319. Epub 2025 Apr 18. PMID: 40251875; PMCID: PMC12145478.