Why are so many women with ADHD also battling PMDD?
The link between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is finally gaining serious research attention—and the findings are striking.
In a 2025 study of 700 women, a staggering 41% of those with ADHD also met criteria for PMDD. In contrast, only 9.8% of women without ADHD had PMDD. This is the second known study to explore this connection, now with a larger sample size and control group—solidifying what many of us have already felt in our bodies: something deeper is going on.
So what’s behind this overlap? Two main pathways are emerging: brain chemistry and trauma.
1. The Brain’s Chemical Storm
PMDD is not just “bad PMS.” It involves an extreme sensitivity in the brain to the normal hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle—especially shifts in estrogen and progesterone, which influence key neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and GABA.
Now add ADHD into the mix:
In ADHD, the brain already has baseline differences in how these neurotransmitter systems function. That means if your brain is already operating on a different chemical rhythm, the hormonal changes during your cycle hit harder and more unpredictably. For many, this means emotional dysregulation, rage, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts around ovulation or the luteal phase.
2. Trauma: The Silent Amplifier
The science is catching up with what lived experience has long shown: 83% of those with PMDD report childhood trauma.
Early traumatic experiences can rewire the brain, increasing inflammation and altering neural circuits—especially in areas that regulate mood, threat detection, and emotional regulation.
Women with ADHD?
They’re already significantly more likely to have experienced multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). These overlapping vulnerabilities may create a perfect storm: trauma impacts brain development, which influences ADHD presentation, which worsens the brain’s response to hormonal change.
3. The Diagnostic Mess
PMDD and ADHD symptoms can blur together.
Both can cause:
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Brain fog
- Trouble concentrating
- Emotional outbursts
What makes it more confusing? ADHD symptoms often worsen in the 1–2 weeks before your period—right when PMDD strikes. The result? Many women are misdiagnosed, dismissed, or told it’s “just hormones.”
Tracking symptoms across your cycle isn’t just helpful—it’s crucial. Awareness helps you advocate for the right support, whether that’s lifestyle changes, ADHD medication adjustments, or hormone-regulating treatments.
So what can you do?
If you suspect this dual burden, start here:
- Track your symptoms daily (cycle apps or paper journals work).
- Bring patterns to a trauma-informed psychiatrist or GP.
- Explore PMDD-specific tools like SSRIs during luteal phase only, birth control, CBT, or nutritional support.
- Consider hormonal sensitivity testing if accessible.
- Prioritise nervous system regulation—calming routines, boundaries, rest.
This isn’t “all in your head.” Your body is reacting to real neurochemical shifts. And you’re not alone.
You Deserve to Know Your Brain
Women’s mental health is under-researched, underfunded, and misunderstood. But the tide is turning. Sharing data like this isn’t just about science—it’s about liberation. It’s about being able to say: “This is happening to me. I’m not broken. I just need the right kind of care.”
If this resonated, keep following us at Calm My Mind. We’re digging deep into the messy, beautiful complexity of the female brain.
References:
- Dotson, V. et al. (2025). Increased risk of provisional premenstrual dysphoric disorder among females with ADHD: cross-sectional survey study. [Study mentioned in Ditto.Daily]
- Yonkers, K. A., et al. (2008). Premenstrual disorders. The Lancet, 371(9619), 1200–1210.
- Salk, R. H., et al. (2017). Age and developmental trajectories of PMDD and ADHD. Journal of Affective Disorders, 212, 43–49.
- Sprock, J., & Lopez, I. (2000). Childhood trauma as a predictor of PMDD severity. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56(10), 1321–1334.
- Banerjee, T. D., et al. (2007). Adverse childhood experiences and ADHD: A developmental pathway? Pediatrics, 120(1), e15–e22.