Could your monthly cycle be the missing piece in your ADHD puzzle? The connection might be stronger than you think..
- kirstenjbrooks
- Jul 22
- 3 min read
If you've ever felt like your ADHD symptoms go absolutely bonkers in the lead-up to your period, you're likely not imagining things.
Because whilst most people are talking about period pain and chocolate cravings, there's something far more significant happening behind the scenes - and it could explain why some women experience such intense premenstrual symptoms that feel like their brain has been hijacked.
And it's got everything to do with a perfect storm of hormones, neurotransmitters, and a compound called histamine.
🌀 Meet PMDD: The Period Problem That's More Than Just "PMS"
You've probably heard of PMS, but PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) is an entirely different beast altogether.
This isn't just feeling a bit moody before your period - we're talking about severe mood changes, anxiety, depression, and cognitive symptoms that can completely derail your life for up to two weeks every month.
And here's where it gets really interesting: women with ADHD are over three times more likely to experience PMDD.
That's not a coincidence, that's your brain trying to tell you something important.
🧠 The Hidden Connection: When Your Period Meets Your ADHD
When most people think about ADHD, they focus on attention and hyperactivity. But there's so much more going on beneath the surface.
Your ADHD brain is already working overtime to manage neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Now imagine what happens when your hormones start their monthly rollercoaster ride.
Several mechanisms could explain this link:
Oestrogen fluctuations affect the very neurotransmitters your ADHD brain struggles with
Dopamine levels - already wonky with ADHD - get even more disrupted
Serotonin - your mood stabiliser - takes a proper battering
Histamine - the unexpected player in this whole drama
It's like your brain is trying to juggle flaming torches whilst riding a unicycle, and then someone starts shaking the ground beneath you - not easy.
🔬 The Science Behind the Chaos
Here's where things get properly interesting (and a bit technical, but stick with me)...
Rising and falling oestrogen impacts key neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and histamine.
When oestrogen drops before your period, it takes these crucial brain chemicals with it. For a neurotypical brain, this might mean feeling a bit off. For an ADHD brain that's already struggling with these systems? It's like removing the last few working parts from an already temperamental engine.
But here's the twist: a tendency to high histamine may also be part of the ADHD picture.
Most people think histamine is just about allergies and hay fever. But this clever little compound is actually involved in:
Mood regulation (hello, premenstrual mood swings!)
Attention and focus (your ADHD symptoms getting worse)
Sensory sensitivity (everything feeling too loud, too bright, too much)
Sleep quality (those restless nights before your period)
🌊 The Perfect Storm: When Everything Collides
You're already managing ADHD with its dopamine and serotonin challenges. Then your monthly cycle starts playing havoc with these same neurotransmitters. Meanwhile, histamine levels are fluctuating, affecting your mood, attention, and sensory processing.
No wonder some women feel like they're losing their minds before their period!
The overlap between ADHD, hormones, and histamine could be the missing piece in understanding why some women experience such intense premenstrual symptoms that go far beyond what's considered "normal" PMS.
💡 What This Means for You
This research is genuinely groundbreaking because it suggests that premenstrual symptoms aren't just something women have to "put up with" - especially if you have ADHD.
Understanding these connections opens up new possibilities:
Tracking your cycle alongside your ADHD symptoms
Hormonal support during vulnerable times of the month
Histamine management as part of your overall wellness strategy
Personalised approaches that consider your unique neurochemistry
This research is in its early stages, and every woman's experience is different. What we do know is that the connection between ADHD, hormones, and compounds like histamine is far more complex and significant than anyone previously understood.
If you're struggling with severe premenstrual symptoms alongside ADHD, you're not being dramatic, you're not weak, and you're definitely not alone.
If you're interested in exploring how your cycle might be affecting your ADHD symptoms - or if you're curious about whether histamine could be playing a role in your monthly struggles - I'd love to help you piece together your unique puzzle!
Keep listening to your body (it's telling you more than you know),
Kirsten
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