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How do fluctuating female hormones interact with ADHD? And why can perimenopause make everything feel like it’s suddenly falling apart?
In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Dr. Helen Wall - Senior NHS GP, British Menopause Society Specialist, and author of Menopause and ADHD.
Together they unpack the science to help women better understand the powerful connection between hormones, the brain, and ADHD. They discuss:
🧠 The Patient Who Changed Everything: how one “treatment‑resistant” patient, misdiagnosed for years with anxiety and depression, led Helen to realise “we were basically managing undiagnosed ADHD”. This, alongside her own perimenopause, sparked her mission to understand hormones and neurodivergence, reshaping her whole approach medically.
🎢 Dopamine, Oestrogen and the “Double Whammy”: why ADHD brains rely so heavily on stable dopamine, how wildly fluctuating oestrogen in perimenopause disrupts that signalling, and why so many women describe midlife as feeling like “a bomb has gone off” when it comes to their ability to function.
🎭 Masking, High Functioning, and the Hidden Cost: how girls learn to “fit in” using layers of scaffolding and people‑pleasing, until hormones shift, the mask slips, and the structure collapses: “what they were doing was never sustainable in the first place.”
🔍 ADHD vs Perimenopause: the huge overlap in symptoms (brain fog, emotional swings, overwhelm), how to tell what’s lifelong ADHD traits versus newer hormone-driven changes, and understanding why ADHD doesn’t start at menopause.
💊 HRT, Progesterone Sensitivity and Trial-and-Error: what we now know (and don’t yet know) about HRT in ADHD, body-identical vs synthetic progesterone, Mirena coils, and why some neurodivergent women respond very differently: “there’s no good and bad progesterone - every woman is very different.”
🌿 Lifestyle, Nervous System Regulation and Externalising the Brain: practical ways to widen your bandwidth: everything from stress, cortisol, sleep, and gut health; to cutting back on alcohol / caffeine. Plus ADHD‑friendly strategies like “externalising the brain” with lists, structure and support.
🎗️ Diagnosis, Support and Self-Advocacy: why you shouldn’t put your life on hold waiting years for an NHS assessment, the value of ADHD coaching and peer support, and Helen’s core message: “trust your gut… don’t diminish yourself.”
This episode is a validating, science-rooted deep dive for any woman wondering why midlife suddenly feels unmanageable, or whether ADHD and hormones might be part of the story.
Please note Helen was in her busy NHS GP office when this episode was recorded, so you will hear mic knocking, keyboard sounds, and background noise as a result.
Further resources and links:
Follow Helen on Instagram: @doctorhelenwall
Dr Helen Wall’s book Menopause and ADHD: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Menopause-ADHD-neurodivergence-Vermilion-Empowered-ebook/dp/B0FMHWD54R
Find More about Helen’s Work: https://tvhealthdoctor.com/
ADHD AF charity: https://adhdaf.org
ADHD coaching and resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.com
Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHD
The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.
