Abstract
Objective: To identify gaps in the literature about ADHD and the menopause in order to guide further research.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted using the Primo search engine using the search words ‘ADHD’ and ‘menopause’. Thirty-four studies were identified as being published up to February 2025. The resulting list of papers was screened, and the reference lists in relevant papers were further screened to find other papers of relevance.
Papers were included if they identified existing knowledge, or presented new information regarding ADHD, the (peri)menopause, or could be used to identify knowledge gaps in the existing literature regarding ADHD and the (peri)menopause. Two authors independently reviewed all screened articles in order to build the final selection.
Results: Women with ADHD continue to face barriers to care such as gender biased diagnostic criteria and long waiting lists. A delay in diagnosis has been reported to inhibit women from seeking timely help when needed. The mechanisms of hormonal shifts on cognitive changes in women with ADHD are largely under-studied, and the cause of improvement in symptoms for those over the age of 60 poorly understood. Many studies on ADHD do not include women over the age of 50, and others exclude those already taking psychostimulant medication. Psychostimulants have been shown in small studies to improve the cognitive symptoms of menopause in some women without ADHD.
Conclusion: Studies on ADHD and the menopause are limited. Gaps in the literature relating to ADHD and the menopause, including the perimenopausal period include: Hormonal shifts and cognitive changes, exploring barriers to ADHD diagnosis and care in the perimenopausal period, how menopausal symptoms are experienced differently in women with ADHD, the role of psychostimulants and non-stimulants for menopausal women with ADHD, the role of HRT in improving cognitive symptoms, and combination treatments for ADHD in the perimenopause. Further research is needed to understand how women with ADHD are affected by menopause and how to optimise treatment.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted using the Primo search engine using the search words ‘ADHD’ and ‘menopause’. Thirty-four studies were identified as being published up to February 2025. The resulting list of papers was screened, and the reference lists in relevant papers were further screened to find other papers of relevance.
Papers were included if they identified existing knowledge, or presented new information regarding ADHD, the (peri)menopause, or could be used to identify knowledge gaps in the existing literature regarding ADHD and the (peri)menopause. Two authors independently reviewed all screened articles in order to build the final selection.
Results: Women with ADHD continue to face barriers to care such as gender biased diagnostic criteria and long waiting lists. A delay in diagnosis has been reported to inhibit women from seeking timely help when needed. The mechanisms of hormonal shifts on cognitive changes in women with ADHD are largely under-studied, and the cause of improvement in symptoms for those over the age of 60 poorly understood. Many studies on ADHD do not include women over the age of 50, and others exclude those already taking psychostimulant medication. Psychostimulants have been shown in small studies to improve the cognitive symptoms of menopause in some women without ADHD.
Conclusion: Studies on ADHD and the menopause are limited. Gaps in the literature relating to ADHD and the menopause, including the perimenopausal period include: Hormonal shifts and cognitive changes, exploring barriers to ADHD diagnosis and care in the perimenopausal period, how menopausal symptoms are experienced differently in women with ADHD, the role of psychostimulants and non-stimulants for menopausal women with ADHD, the role of HRT in improving cognitive symptoms, and combination treatments for ADHD in the perimenopause. Further research is needed to understand how women with ADHD are affected by menopause and how to optimise treatment.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 41 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Post reproductive health |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2025 |
| Event | BMS 34th Annual Scientific Conference - Chesford Grange, Kenilworth, United Kingdom Duration: 26 Jun 2025 → 27 Jun 2025 |
Keywords*
- ADHD
- Menopause
Field of Science*
- 3.3 Health sciences
Publication Type*
- 3.4. Other publications in conference proceedings (including local)