Yes, ADHD and perimenopause can overlap. If your focus, memory, sleep and mood have slipped since perimenopause began, you are asking a question researchers have only recently started to study. A 2025 King’s College London study found that as ADHD traits increased, many menopausal difficulties increased too, so the most useful next step is a conversation with a clinician about which options fit you.
Below is what the research shows so far, what each option is, and where the uncertainty still sits.
What did the King’s College London study find?
As of November 2026, the King’s College London study, published in the Journal of Attention Disorders, is one of the first studies of menopausal experiences in women with ADHD. It asked 656 women aged 45 to 60 to fill in questionnaires about their experiences. Of them, 245 reported a formal ADHD diagnosis, and 107 of those took medication for it. The main findings:
- An ADHD diagnosis did not directly change how many menopausal complaints women reported.
- Perimenopausal women had significantly more psychosocial symptoms than both premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
- Premenopausal women reported fewer memory and concentration problems than perimenopausal women but not postmenopausal women.
- Taking ADHD medication did not appear to change menopausal complaints. The researchers “found no evidence that this was the case.”
- When all participants were considered together, many menopausal difficulties rose as ADHD traits rose.
The link also depended on medication use. In women with ADHD who were not taking medication, ADHD symptoms tracked only with complaints of anxiety, depression, memory and concentration. In women on medication, the links covered wellbeing, memory and concentration, psychosocial functioning, and how hot flushes and night sweats interfered with daily life. Professor Ellie Dommett, the study’s senior author, called it “an important first study.”
Why do ADHD and menopause symptoms feel so alike?
The ADHD WA fact sheet on menopause and ADHD gives the simplest explanation. It says that “the hormonal changes associated with menopause affect the production of the neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin,” and that because these chemical messengers shape emotion and thinking, menopause “may cause an exacerbation of symptoms for women with ADHD.”
| Area | How ADHD shows up | How menopause can add to it |
|---|---|---|
| Memory and focus | ADHD affects executive functions, including memory and attention control. | A 2023 abstract by Wasserstein and colleagues, cited in the ADHD WA fact sheet, reports that more than half of the women with ADHD they surveyed had memory issues, disorganisation, inattention and time management issues “to a ‘life-altering’ degree” during the perimenopausal window. |
| Mood | Emotional responses that can be overwhelming and out of proportion to their cause. | Heightened anxiety, sadness and irritability, partly linked to lower serotonin. |
| Sleep | The fact sheet says sleep disturbances have been found to affect up to 83% of people with ADHD. | Hot flashes can cause abrupt insomnia. |
The fact sheet also warns that “it can often be difficult to determine whether a specific symptom is the result of ADHD, menopause, or a combination of the two.” That is why sorting it out is best done with a clinician. If you have ADHD and are not sure, the fact sheet notes that symptoms can exacerbate each other, sometimes leading a woman to seek an ADHD diagnosis during menopause after a lifetime of undiagnosed ADHD.
How long does perimenopause last?
The ADHD WA fact sheet gives figures for menopause itself: it says menopause “typically occurs around ages 45-55 and tends to last around 7 years, but in some cases can last as long as 14.” It describes premenopause as “a transitional period before the onset of perimenopause.” Those figures describe menopause, not perimenopause, so they cannot tell you how long your perimenopause will last or whether being in perimenopause at 52 is typical. Ask your clinician which stage you are in and what to expect from here. If brain fog is the part bothering you most, our guide on does menopause brain fog go away covers how it tends to change over time.
When is memory trouble a reason to see a doctor?
As of November 2026, the NIA memory problems page from the National Institute on Aging says, “Forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging. However, dementia is not a normal part of aging.” It lists signs that it may be time to talk with a doctor, including asking the same questions over and over, getting lost in places you know well, and having trouble following recipes or directions.
The same page lists causes of memory problems that are not dementia, including mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, sleep problems, medication side effects, thyroid, kidney or liver problems, and low levels of vitamin B12. It says “finding the cause of memory problems is important for determining the best course of action,” and that if memory problems persist after a few weeks, you should talk with your doctor. For conditions such as depression, it says these problems “usually go away once the condition is successfully treated.”
What treatment options exist for ADHD and menopause?
The 2016 Lancet review notes that most guidelines take a stepwise approach, “beginning with non-drug interventions and then moving to pharmacological treatment in those most severely affected.” The table sets out each option next to what sources say about it. No single option is right for everyone, and the choice belongs with you and your clinician.
| Option | What the sources say | Who it may suit | Limits and cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADHD medication | The 2016 Lancet ADHD review says “randomised controlled trials show short-term benefits of stimulant medication and atomoxetine.” The 2024 Nature Reviews ADHD review says “medications are effective for core symptoms and are usually well tolerated.” | Adults whose clinician confirms ADHD and wants treatment for core symptoms. | The ADHD WA fact sheet, drawing on Australian guidance, says that if stimulant medication is required, it “must be prescribed by a psychiatrist or neurologist in the first instance.” That is Australian guidance, not a US rule, so ask your clinician or pharmacist how prescribing works where you live. Read our guide to stimulant medication interactions before adding anything. Cost varies; ask your pharmacy for the current price. |
| Hormone-related treatment | The ADHD WA fact sheet says that discussing hormonal changes with your GP may lead to “medical interventions such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or an increase in dosage of ADHD medication.” | Women whose clinician considers menopause part of the picture, based on their history. | The King’s College London study looked at questionnaire answers, not at hormone treatment, so it cannot tell you whether HRT suits you. That decision sits with you and your clinician. |
| Talk therapy and skills work | The 2020 Lancet ADHD review says medication-based treatments are widely used, “often alongside complementary psychosocial approaches.” The 2024 Nature Reviews review says “some non-pharmacological treatments are valuable, especially for improving adaptive functioning.” The 2016 review says meta-analyses of blinded trials of non-drug treatments “have not yet proven the efficacy of such interventions.” | People who want practical skills for planning, organisation and emotional load alongside any medication. | Read our guide to cbt for adult adhd for what sessions involve. Costs and access vary by provider. |
| Exercise and routine | The NIA cognitive health page says physical activity can reduce the risk of depression, and that federal guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of physical activity a week for all adults. This is general adult advice, not specific to ADHD or menopause. | People who want a physical-activity option; the NIA advises checking with a health care provider before starting a vigorous program if you are not currently active. | The NIA says more research is needed to determine what role exercise may play in preventing cognitive decline. Check with your clinician before starting a vigorous programme. |
| Brain training | The NIA cognitive health page says cognitive training appears to have benefits for maintaining cognitive health in older adults. That evidence is in older adults and does not show benefit for ADHD in menopause. It adds that there is not enough evidence that commercially available computer-based brain-training applications have the same impact. | Those who want structured mental practice rather than a game. | The NIA says commercial brain-training apps have not been shown to match the training used in its ACTIVE trial. |
| Research studies | The NIA memory page says you may wish to talk with your doctor about opportunities to participate in research on cognitive health and aging. | People who want to contribute to the evidence and have access to a study site. | Studies have eligibility rules; ask your clinician about studies near you. |
Are supplements sold for brain health worth it?
Many brain-health supplements are sold for memory, focus or mental clarity. The table shows what each source says about the most common ones.
| Supplement type | What the sources say | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Ginkgo | As of November 2026, the NCCIH ginkgo page describes the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) study, which randomly assigned more than 3,000 people age 75 or older to ginkgo or placebo for a median of 6 years. It found no difference in rates of dementia of any type or Alzheimer’s disease. The page also says that supplements containing ginkgo have been marketed for “brain health,” but “it’s uncertain whether they actually influence cognitive performance in healthy people.” | The page says “much of the research on this topic is of low quality.” |
| Omega-3 fish oil | The NIH omega-3 fact sheet says researchers are studying whether omega-3 supplements may help lessen some symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and that more research is needed. | The fact sheet says high doses may cause bleeding problems with warfarin or other anticoagulants. Talk with your clinician about interactions. |
| Daily multivitamin | The NIA cognitive health page says that at this time no vitamin or supplement is recommended for preventing Alzheimer’s or other forms of cognitive decline. It adds that recent clinical trials have shown a daily multivitamin may improve memory and cognition in older adults. | That trial finding is for older adults, not for women in perimenopause with ADHD. |
Before you buy any brain-health supplement, check its claims. The FTC health products guidance says claims about health benefits “require substantiation in the form of competent and reliable scientific evidence.” It also says a marketer is “equally responsible for the accuracy of claims suggested or reasonably implied in advertising.” The NCCIH ginkgo page notes that, unlike drugs, dietary supplements “are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they are sold to the public.” Prices vary by brand and size, so check the label and the current price directly with the company.
What side effects and risks should you weigh?
| Source of risk | What the source says |
|---|---|
| Omega-3 supplements | The NIH omega-3 fact sheet says side effects are usually mild and can include an unpleasant taste in the mouth, bad breath, heartburn, nausea, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, headache and smelly sweat. |
| Medicines that can affect thinking | The NIA cognitive health page says some medicines can cause confusion, memory loss, hallucinations and delusions in older adults. Drugs it lists include antihistamines for allergy relief, sleep aids, antipsychotics and muscle relaxants. |
| Medicines mixed with alcohol | The NIA says to limit alcohol and notes that some medicines can be dangerous when mixed with alcohol. |
| Sleep disruption | The ADHD WA fact sheet says hot flashes can cause abrupt insomnia. |
What is still unknown?
- The research is early. The King’s College London study used questionnaires rather than a treatment trial, and its senior author called it “an important first study.”
- The 2023 Wasserstein figure comes from a short journal abstract. The ADHD WA fact sheet also draws on general health websites and a LinkedIn post alongside research papers, so weigh its figures accordingly.
- The studies cited above do not settle which option works best for ADHD in menopause. Your clinician can weigh the options against your history.
What can you do day to day?
The ADHD WA fact sheet lists four management steps: plan a schedule you can actually follow, record your daily symptoms in a diary, discuss your hormonal changes with your GP, and maintain good habits around diet and exercise. The NIA adds simple memory aids: follow a daily routine, use calendars and notes, and keep your wallet, keys, phone and glasses in the same place each day.
For sleep, the NIA cognitive health page recommends aiming for “generally seven to nine hours each night.” The ADHD WA fact sheet says hot flashes can cause abrupt insomnia. If that is your pattern, raise your sleep problems with your clinician. Our guide on insomnia with adhd covers sleep routines in more detail.
On medicines, the NIA’s general advice is: “Do not stop taking any prescribed medications without consulting your health care provider first.” That applies to any prescribed medicine, including ADHD medication, and it is general aging advice rather than a menopause-specific list. On supplements, the NIA says no vitamin or supplement is recommended for preventing Alzheimer’s or other forms of cognitive decline. That point is about prevention of cognitive decline, not about managing menopause. If you are unsure whether your symptoms are ADHD, menopause or something else, our guide on is brain fog adhd or anxiety lays out the signs to compare.
Before you talk to your clinician
- Ask whether your symptoms fit ADHD, menopause or both, since the ADHD WA fact sheet says these can be hard to tell apart.
- Ask about other causes of memory trouble, such as thyroid, mood, sleep and vitamin B12, as the NIA memory page lists them.
- Ask which stage of perimenopause you are in, and whether being there at your age fits your history.
- Ask whether hormone-related treatment fits your history.
- If you take ADHD medication, ask how it interacts with other medicines and supplements.
- If you are considering a supplement, bring the label and ask about interactions, especially omega-3 with blood thinners.
- Ask about talk therapy and whether a research study near you fits your situation.
- Ask your pharmacy or clinician for current costs, since prices vary.
By the Global MH Summit Research Team
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your doctor or qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.