If you’re someone living with ADHD and notice that things feel especially overwhelming right before your period—you’re not alone. You might be experiencing something called PMDD, and recent research suggests that people with ADHD are much more likely to deal with it.
What is PMDD?
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is like PMS turned up several notches. It’s a hormone-related mood disorder that shows up in the week before your period and can include:
- Irritability or mood swings
- Anxiety or low mood
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
- Feeling overwhelmed or on edge
It affects about 3–8% of women, but can be severely disruptive to everyday life.
So What’s the Connection with ADHD?
A recent study published in The British Journal of Psychiatry (2025) looked at over 700 women and found some striking results:
- Women with diagnosed ADHD were over 3 times more likely to report PMDD than those without ADHD.
- Women with ADHD symptoms but no diagnosis were over 4 times more likely.
- The risk was even higher in those who also had anxiety or depression.
Why? Well, both ADHD and PMDD involve sensitive brain chemistry, especially with dopamine and serotonin. ADHD already affects how these systems work—and hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle can make things even harder to manage.
What Can Help?
If this sounds familiar, you’re not imagining it, and there are things that can help:
- Talk to your GP or clinician about PMDD screening.
- PMDD treatments like SSRIs or certain contraceptives can make a big difference.
- Your ADHD medication may also need some adjustment during the premenstrual phase.
- And don’t forget tools like tracking apps, exercise, and resources like the YouTube channel “How to ADHD”.
The Bottom Line
If you have ADHD and struggle with a surge in symptoms around your period, PMDD could be playing a role. Knowing this can lead to better support, treatment, and understanding—and that can be life-changing.
