ADHD or Menopause?

 Learn how to tell them apart and what to do if you’re experiencing both.

The Overlap Between ADHD and Menopause

Many women in their 40s and 50s ask the same question:

“Am I developing ADHD — or is this just menopause?”

The truth is, ADHD and menopause symptoms can look very similar. Both can cause forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, and fatigue. But while they overlap, they’re not the same — and it’s common to experience both.

Shared Symptoms

Whether it’s hormonal changes or neurodivergence, these challenges are familiar to both:

  • “Brain fog”

  • Memory lapses

  • Poor focus or distractibility

  • Trouble completing tasks

  • Irritability or emotional ups and downs

  • Low motivation or energy

  • Sleep issues

This similarity makes it hard to know what’s going on — especially if the symptoms only became obvious in midlife.

Signs It Might Be Menopause

If your symptoms started recently, or around the same time as other menopausal changes, hormones could be the main factor.

Clues it’s likely menopause-related:

  • Symptoms appeared for the first time in your 40s or 50s

  • You’ve also noticed hot flushes, night sweats, irregular periods or vaginal dryness

  • Your cognitive symptoms fluctuate — some days are worse than others

  • You’ve never struggled with focus, impulsivity or memory before now

  • Symptoms align with your cycle or hormonal changes

These signs suggest your brain is reacting to falling oestrogen levels, not necessarily ADHD.

Signs It Might Be ADHD

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that starts in childhood, even if it wasn’t recognised at the time.

Clues that ADHD is part of the picture:

  • You’ve always felt a bit “scattered” or disorganised

  • As a child or teen, you were called “daydreamy,” “lazy,” or “inconsistent”

  • You’ve often felt mentally cluttered, emotionally sensitive or easily distracted

  • You relied on strict routines, lists, or overpreparing to stay on track

  • Your symptoms are consistent, not just hormonal

  • You’ve noticed these issues your whole life, but they’ve worsened in midlife

  • ADHD runs in your family (siblings, children or parents)

If these resonate, you may have had undiagnosed ADHD for decades — and menopause is simply making it harder to cope.

You Can Have Both

This isn’t an either/or question for many women — it’s both.

Menopause can act as an “unmasking” moment, revealing ADHD symptoms that were previously manageable. When oestrogen drops, dopamine regulation worsens — and dopamine is central to attention and impulse control.

So if you’ve always had a touch of scatterbrain, menopause may make it feel like your world is falling apart. This doesn’t mean you’re broken — it means your brain is reacting to major changes.

Why It Matters

Understanding the true cause of your symptoms means getting the right support.

  • If it’s mostly menopause-related, HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) or lifestyle changes may be enough.

  • If it’s ADHD, medication and coaching can be transformative.

If it’s both, you’ll need a combined approach — and we can help with that.

Let’s Help You Get Clarity

Our assessments at Attention to Health are designed for women in midlife who are navigating cognitive changes. We’ll explore both hormonal and ADHD-related factors, so you don’t have to guess.