June 26, 2025

How Hormones and Menopause Affect ADHD: What No One’s Telling You | Dr. Jolene Brighten

34 minutes

Did you know that when estrogen drops during perimenopause and menopause, ADHD symptoms can skyrocket? If you’ve felt like your ADHD got worse overnight—or that your once-manageable brain fog, mood swings, or forgetfulness have taken over—you're not imagining things.

In this episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, we uncover the science behind how hormones like estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, insulin, and testosterone profoundly impact the ADHD brain and why menopause and perimenopause make those effects louder, messier, and harder to ignore. If you're a woman navigating perimenopause and ADHD, or wrestling with brain fog and menopause, this conversation is the empowering knowledge bomb you’ve been waiting for.

🎧 Mentioned in This Episode:

Free ADHD Hormone Sync Mini Course — https://drbrighten.com/sync/

Free Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan for Hormone & Brain Support — https://drbrighten.com/plan/

Sleep & ADHD Episode: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-sleep-hormones/

ADHD Types & Hormones: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-types-and-hormones/

Insulin & Blood Sugar Episode with Lab Guide: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/insulin-resistance/

Perimenopause Weight Loss & Exercise Strategies: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/perimenopause-how-to-lose-weight/

Menopause Hormone Therapy or HRT to Manage Menopause Symptoms: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/symptoms-of-menopause/

PMDD, Histamine & Neurodivergent women: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/menstrual-cycle-and-hormone-health/

ADHD Burnout Recovery: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-burnout/

Vaginal Estrogen Therapy: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/hrt-for-menopause/

Dr. Brighten Essentials Supplements Discussed:

Omega-3s (2000mg/day) for brain structure, mood, and inflammation https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/omega-plus?selling_plan=995557410

Magnesium Glycinate (300mg at night) for nervous system and sleep https://drbrightenessentials.com/products/magnesium-plus?selling_plan=995459106

HRT Protocols Mentioned:

Oral micronized progesterone (100–200mg at night)

Topical estrogen (e.g. 0.025mg estradiol patch)

Testosterone replacement based on labs: Total T, Free T, SHBG

🙌 Support the show by supporting our sponsorsDr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com use code POD15 for 15% off

DUTCH Test: Advanced hormone testing for clearer clinical insights—new providers get up to 5 Complete tests at 50% off. https://dutchtest.com

Lumebox: https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

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By Dr. Jolene Brighten

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