ADHD and Estrogen

In addition to the typical cognitive burden that ADHD can bring, women with ADHD also have to deal with an ever fluctuating hormone environment. Changes in estrogen can intensify the symptoms of ADHD, particularly during the menstrual cycle, puberty and menopause. It is important for women diagnosed with ADHD to be aware of how estrogen affects their condition, and to take steps to lessen the impact.

New Research Offers the Promise of a Genetically Based Diagnosis for ADHD

A new genomic study of families whose members had ADHD showed they all had specific features in certain genes. The identification of such patterns may help improve the diagnosis of ADHD. Genetically based diagnosis of ADHD could provide earlier detection and treatment. This is especially critical now that 10% of children in the U.S. are being diagnosed with ADHD.

Important Information for Parents of Girls with ADHD

For 10 years a UC Berkeley team, led by Stephen Hinshaw, has been following a group of racially and socio-economically diverse group of girls with ADHD in the San Francisco Bay Area. The group was compared to 88 girls of similar backgrounds who do not have ADHD. Some of the study findings were alarming and concerning, Parents should be aware of the special issues and long term effects of ADHD on girls.