Danielle Elliott

Two weeks into her tenure, Dr. Healy launched the Women's Health Initiative. Over the next 15 years, the initiative enrolled more than 150,000 postmenopausal women in clinical trials. The initiative is the reason we know about long-term risks associated with hormone replacement therapies, especially when used by postmenopausal women.

Still, the NIH policy recommendation didn't spread far and wide. Women, with all our pesky hormones, were just too difficult to study. Widespread change only started in 1993, when Congress passed a federal law requiring that women be included in clinical research. 1993. 30 years later, I struggled to find researchers who are focusing on ADHD and hormones.

Still, the NIH policy recommendation didn't spread far and wide. Women, with all our pesky hormones, were just too difficult to study. Widespread change only started in 1993, when Congress passed a federal law requiring that women be included in clinical research. 1993. 30 years later, I struggled to find researchers who are focusing on ADHD and hormones.

I found studies showing that estrogen helps distribute important neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin throughout the brain so that they can help with things like cognition and mood. When estrogen decreases and progesterone rises, it impacts brain function. The studies on estrogen and progesterone are helpful, but none of these studies are specifically about ADHD brains.

I found studies showing that estrogen helps distribute important neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin throughout the brain so that they can help with things like cognition and mood. When estrogen decreases and progesterone rises, it impacts brain function. The studies on estrogen and progesterone are helpful, but none of these studies are specifically about ADHD brains.

And if we have any hope of developing better treatments for ADHD, we need to know how this science specifically applies to ADHD brains, which, by the way, already have a hard time circulating these neurotransmitters, even on a good day. So how do these hormonal fluctuations impact ADHD brains? I looked for experts in this.

And if we have any hope of developing better treatments for ADHD, we need to know how this science specifically applies to ADHD brains, which, by the way, already have a hard time circulating these neurotransmitters, even on a good day. So how do these hormonal fluctuations impact ADHD brains? I looked for experts in this.

There are several ADHD coaches and clinicians who specialize in supporting women during different life stages. But scientists who study ADHD at these stages? I struggled to find any. I wondered if I just wasn't looking hard enough. Then, in February 2024, a new study led me to potential answers.

There are several ADHD coaches and clinicians who specialize in supporting women during different life stages. But scientists who study ADHD at these stages? I struggled to find any. I wondered if I just wasn't looking hard enough. Then, in February 2024, a new study led me to potential answers.

This is Ashley Ang, the lead researcher on the February 2024 paper.

This is Ashley Ang, the lead researcher on the February 2024 paper.

Ashley learned that this was not a unique situation. It seemed to occur with other kids around the same age.

Ashley learned that this was not a unique situation. It seemed to occur with other kids around the same age.

Ashley chose the RISC lab at the University of Kentucky under the guidance of Dr. Michelle Martel. Dr. Martel was in the midst of an NIH-funded study examining ADHD symptoms across the menstrual cycles of young women with ADHD.

Ashley chose the RISC lab at the University of Kentucky under the guidance of Dr. Michelle Martel. Dr. Martel was in the midst of an NIH-funded study examining ADHD symptoms across the menstrual cycles of young women with ADHD.

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.