Danielle Elliott

Ashley's research ultimately confirmed what women have been reporting for decades.

Ashley's research ultimately confirmed what women have been reporting for decades.

Several other factors impacted symptoms, including perceived stress. But the role of hormones was undeniable. Now, if you're thinking, yes, we know that hormones change symptoms. Why do we need a scientist to confirm what thousands of women have already experienced? I get it. But that's how science and medical treatments work.

Several other factors impacted symptoms, including perceived stress. But the role of hormones was undeniable. Now, if you're thinking, yes, we know that hormones change symptoms. Why do we need a scientist to confirm what thousands of women have already experienced? I get it. But that's how science and medical treatments work.

To develop treatments that help with hormones and ADHD, we need to understand the underlying science. For decades, it wasn't studied. Scientists focused on kids and teens with ADHD, primarily boys with ADHD. Technically, Ashley focused on adolescents, but because she studied hormones, her results can tell us about ADHD at different life stages.

To develop treatments that help with hormones and ADHD, we need to understand the underlying science. For decades, it wasn't studied. Scientists focused on kids and teens with ADHD, primarily boys with ADHD. Technically, Ashley focused on adolescents, but because she studied hormones, her results can tell us about ADHD at different life stages.

Her results show that, quote, She determined that in the two points in the menstrual cycle when estrogen decreases, that's where ADHD symptoms are worse. These results line up with those of other studies at the Risk Lab, including the long-term study that Ashley's mentor, Dr. Martel, is working on.

Her results show that, quote, She determined that in the two points in the menstrual cycle when estrogen decreases, that's where ADHD symptoms are worse. These results line up with those of other studies at the Risk Lab, including the long-term study that Ashley's mentor, Dr. Martel, is working on.

This aligns with what women and clinicians have long reported. But as far as scientific research, it's groundbreaking. Ashley told me the overall goal of her research is threefold. First, to understand hormones and ADHD. Next, to personalize treatments.

This aligns with what women and clinicians have long reported. But as far as scientific research, it's groundbreaking. Ashley told me the overall goal of her research is threefold. First, to understand hormones and ADHD. Next, to personalize treatments.

She said that in the future, this could mean psychiatrists or doctors titrate ADHD medications throughout a woman's menstrual cycle so that on days when symptoms are worse, they take a higher dose of medication. Another possibility is prescribing hormone-based medication, like birth control, to treat ADHD.

She said that in the future, this could mean psychiatrists or doctors titrate ADHD medications throughout a woman's menstrual cycle so that on days when symptoms are worse, they take a higher dose of medication. Another possibility is prescribing hormone-based medication, like birth control, to treat ADHD.

She emphasized that this is theoretical, and these approaches have not yet been studied or tested. If treatments are developed, they won't be a one-size-fits-all solution.

She emphasized that this is theoretical, and these approaches have not yet been studied or tested. If treatments are developed, they won't be a one-size-fits-all solution.

will also need research into different types of birth control. She mentioned a recent study completed at Uppsala University in Sweden, which found that women with ADHD who are taking hormone-based birth control pills are five times more likely to experience depression than women who do not have ADHD or than women with ADHD who use other forms of birth control.

will also need research into different types of birth control. She mentioned a recent study completed at Uppsala University in Sweden, which found that women with ADHD who are taking hormone-based birth control pills are five times more likely to experience depression than women who do not have ADHD or than women with ADHD who use other forms of birth control.

It seems like everything makes the case for we need more research.

It seems like everything makes the case for we need more research.

And even when research is done, it takes a long time to develop new treatments. The process of getting research from the lab to the people it impacts, known as bench-to-bedside, takes an average of 17 years. I asked her what we can hope for. What would progress look like 15 years from now?

And even when research is done, it takes a long time to develop new treatments. The process of getting research from the lab to the people it impacts, known as bench-to-bedside, takes an average of 17 years. I asked her what we can hope for. What would progress look like 15 years from now?