Hormones and ADHD:

Hormones and #ADHD: There is a possible link between ADHD and hormones. Puberty and ADHD: Puberty is the first time in a young person’s life that sex hormones surge. Boys have a big boost in testosterone, and girls see a rise in estradiol, a type of estrogen. These changes in hormone levels can have important effects on kids with ADHD. For example, high levels of testosterone can affect brain circuits in a way that causes more symptoms of the condition. Researchers suspect that male sex hormones may be one reason that ADHD is much more common in boys than girls. Parents should be aware that: Your child’s peers may start to become less patient with their ADHD behaviors, raising the odds that they could be isolated or bullied. impact that hormones have on your ADHD symptoms as early as your first period. ADHD symptoms tend to be milder at times when estrogen levels are higher in your body, like during and shortly after your period. You might notice more ADHD symptoms when estrogen levels are lower, like when you’re having PMS. Your medication might not work as well then. Estrogen levels rise during pregnancy, which often reduces major ADHD symptoms. After childbirth, though, it’s common for ADHD symptoms to get worse. But how exactly do female hormones influence symptoms of ADHD? Estrogen affects the brain in many ways. But for people with ADHD, the most important are its impact on the brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine. When estrogen levels drop, so does your brain’s ability to release these two chemicals. Less serotonin can lead to mood changes, like feelings of sadness and anxiety. Dopamine promotes pleasurable feelings. It also plays a role in what’s known as executive function, which is things like focus, memory, and concentration.