Dr Amir Khan, a well-known NHS GP and ITV’s resident doctor, has brought attention to what he calls one of the most overlooked medical conditions affecting women: ADHD. Speaking on the No Appointment Necessary podcast alongside presenter Cherry Healey, Dr Khan explained how hormonal fluctuations can significantly influence the way ADHD manifests in women.
Throughout the podcast, which regularly covers various health topics, Dr Khan focused on the hormonal impacts on ADHD symptoms. He described how oestrogen levels during the menstrual cycle can temporarily mask symptoms, while the hormone’s decline around menopause can intensify them. This hormonal ebb and flow contribute to many women remaining undiagnosed for years.
Women with ADHD often develop sophisticated coping mechanisms to “mask” their challenges and conform to societal expectations, making their symptoms less visible to others. This can delay diagnosis and leave many women unaware they are living with the condition.
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ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, affects brain function, leading to difficulties with concentration and impulse control. According to the NHS, symptoms can be managed, but awareness is key. Although ADHD diagnosis is more common in men, many women experience the same intensity of symptoms but go undetected for longer periods. The average age of diagnosis in women whose ADHD wasn’t identified in childhood is between 36 and 38 years old.
The Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust emphasizes that women’s symptoms are often internalized. Their efforts to mask symptoms and compensate for difficulties mean their struggles are largely invisible to others, exacerbating emotional challenges.
Dr Khan further explained the role of hormones, stating that oestrogen positively influences dopamine pathways in the brain, helping some women manage ADHD symptoms better during certain parts of their menstrual cycle. However, as oestrogen levels drop during periods and especially menopause, ADHD symptoms can become more pronounced and harder to manage. He stressed that masking these symptoms is exhausting for women and often overlooked in medical conversations.
His insights underscore the need for increased awareness and understanding of ADHD in women, particularly how hormonal changes affect the condition’s expression.