The seasons and cycles of Woman and ADHD

You aren’t meant to be the same person every single day. Your body follows a cycle, not a clock, regular or not, and even through perimenopause. On some days, the world might feel louder or harder. Or your ADHD medication might feel less effective.  

Your capacity and ADHD traits naturally shift with hormonal rhythms throughout your cycle. 

Why does our ADHD feel so different across your cycle? 

Your ADHD shifts throughout your cycle because of two main characters in your hormonal rhythm: estrogen and progesterone. 

Estrogen 

Think of dopamine as the fuel your brain needs for focus, motivation and impulse control. Estrogen acts like the volume dial for that fuel. If you find yourself struggling over a lost set of keys or unable to start a simple task during this time, it is a chemical shift, not a character flaw. Sometimes, your brain just has less hormonal support. 

When estrogen is high: It turns the volume up on your dopamine, usually in the second week of your cycle. This is a phase of natural flow where your executive functions are firing and your ADHD feels manageable.  

When estrogen drops: The volume on your dopamine is turned down (during your luteal phase). The strategies that worked last week might not work, executive dysfunction peaks and stimulant medications may feel less effective. 

Progesterone 

Progesterone usually rises in the second half of your cycle. Its job is to steady things and prepare your body for a possible pregnancy. It is often called the calming hormone. 

While progesterone is meant to be relaxing, it can feel more like a fog for ADHD brains. When progesterone rises while estrogen is dropping, it can make you feel more sluggish. This can also increase that stuck feeling of task paralysis. 

Understanding the phases: Your internal seasons  

There are four phases of the cycle whether your regular, not regular, including during perimenopause. Each phase is like a different season in your brain and body: 

Menstrual phase (Winter): Your cycle starts here. Estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest levels. Energy is low and you brain may feel slow to get into gear. This is an internal winter. 

Follicular phase (Spring): As your period ends, estrogen begins to rise steadily, so does your dopamine. This is often the sweet spot for ADHD. You likely feel more capable, more social and motivated. The to-do list that felt impossible yesterday suddenly feels doable. 

Ovulation (Summer): Estrogen hits its highest point. This is often when focus is at its peak. Your ability to juggle complex social situations is at its strongest.  

Luteal phase (Autumn): After ovulation, estrogen drops sharply while progesterone rises. The dip in dopamine can lead to a crash in working memory, emotional regulation and task paralysis. This can be the most difficult time of the cycle. 

ADHD in women group programme  

Beehyve offers a warm, supportive space to explore how ADHD and hormones interact, helping you make sense of why life feels easier some weeks and overwhelming in others. 

This programme was designed specifically for women who are still menstruating (regular or not) including those in perimenopause, and want to better understand their patterns, their emotions, and their lived experience of ADHD.  

This is a chance to connect with others on the same journey. 

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