--- title: Do women with ADHD have worse menstrual, pregnancy, and menopause symptoms? description: Yes, in this large survey women with ADHD reported significantly more menstrual irregularity, worse premenstrual symptoms, higher postpartum depression, and m url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/adhd-and-the-female-reproductive-stages-menstruation-perinatal-and-menopause-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do women with ADHD have worse menstrual, pregnancy, and menopause symptoms? Survey study, 2026 # Do women with ADHD have worse menstrual, pregnancy, and menopause symptoms? Yes, in this large survey women with ADHD reported significantly more menstrual irregularity, worse premenstrual symptoms, higher postpartum depression, and more severe menopausal symptoms than women without ADHD. Early or limited evidence 602 women, 377 with self-reported ADHD and 225 without, average age about 39.5 ## What they did Researchers surveyed 602 women (377 with self-reported ADHD, 225 without, average age about 39.5) recruited through ADHD support groups, social media, Volunteer Ireland, and Prolific. Women answered questions about period regularity and premenstrual symptoms, looked back on their postpartum depression symptoms, and rated menopause symptoms using standard questionnaires. ## What they found Women with ADHD had significantly more menstrual irregularity, significantly more severe premenstrual symptoms, significantly higher postpartum depression scores (with more unplanned pregnancies and pregnancy complications), and significantly more severe menopausal symptoms than those without ADHD. All differences were statistically strong (p < .001). ## What it means for you ADHD may be linked to a harder reproductive health experience across the whole lifespan, from periods to pregnancy to menopause. This is a one-time survey based on self-report and recall, not a study that proves ADHD causes these problems, and it relied on participants self-identifying their ADHD status. 602 Total women surveyed 377 Women with ADHD 39.52 Average age ## About the study Original title ADHD and the female reproductive stages: menstruation, perinatal and menopause Authors Boyd C, Wrigley M, Kilbride K et al. Journal Archives of women's mental health Year 2026 Study design Survey study Participants 602 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s00737-026-01718-x](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-026-01718-x) Original abstract Purpose: Gender differences in the presentation of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are well-documented, yet the interaction between ADHD and female reproductive stages remains underexplored. This study investigates how ADHD impacts menstruation, perinatal experiences, and menopausal symptoms in females. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 602 females (mean age = 39.52; SD = 10.21), including 377 with self-reported ADHD and 225 without, recruited through ADHD support groups, social media, Volunteer Ireland, and Prolific. Participants reported their menstrual regularity and completed the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST). Retrospective postpartum depression levels were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and peri- and post-menopausal symptoms were evaluated using the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS). Results: Females with ADHD exhibited significantly higher rates of menstrual irregularity (χ2 = 14.2, p < .001), more severe premenstrual symptoms (χ2 = 204.7, p < .001), elevated postpartum depression levels (t = 7.89, p < .001) with increased risk of unplanned pregnancies and pregnancy-related complications, and greater menopausal symptom severity (t = 9.61, p < .001) compared to their non-ADHD counterparts. Conclusions: These findings highlight a higher prevalence of reproductive-related challenges in females with ADHD, underscoring the need for further research in this area and more in-depth analysis. They emphasise the importance of integrating ADHD considerations into female health research and clinical practice. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[ADHD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-adhd/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Systematic review, 2026 Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle? Cohort study, 2023 Is PMDD a valid medical diagnosis? Survey study, 2026 Does a history of mood problems with your period predict depression during menopause? Review, 2016 How do reproductive hormones affect mood and behavior in women? Review, 2012 Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause? Review, 2002 What are the reproductive-related mood disorders and how are they connected? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗