Perimenopause Doesn't Cause ADHD, It Unmasks It: Reclaim Your Brain with Dr. Jolene Brighten
Perimenopause Doesn't Cause ADHD, It Unmasks It: Reclaim Your Brain with Dr. Jolene Brighten  
Podcast: BETTER! with Dr. Stephanie Estima | Strength, Body Composition & Perimenopause
Published On: Mon Oct 05 2026
Description: Dr. Jolene Brighten explains why ADHD in women is so often missed, misdiagnosed, or dismissed as personality. She covers the five hormonal life stages that make ADHD symptoms worse, why perimenopause "unmasks" ADHD rather than causing it, and the food and exercise protocols that actually support an ADHD brain.Get Dr. Brighten’s Book, ADHD & Women: https://drbrighten.com/adhd-and-women/🎤 TOPICS COVEREDADHD in women: symptoms, diagnosis, and why it's missed for decadesWhy ADHD looks different in women versus menPerimenopause and ADHD: why symptoms get worse in midlifeThe five hormonal stages that worsen ADHD (puberty, pregnancy/postpartum, perimenopause, postmenopause, premenstrual phase)Executive dysfunction explained: time blindness, task paralysis, and emotional dysregulationADHD masking in women: people-pleasing, perfectionism, and burnoutEstrogen, progesterone, and the ADHD brain: how hormones affect dopamine and focusPMDD and ADHD: the connection between your cycle and your symptomsProgesterone sensitivity and hormone replacement therapy for ADHD womenPCOS, PMOS, and the androgen-ADHD connectionADHD and genetics: is ADHD hereditaryNutrition for ADHD: gut health, protein, and the three foods Dr. Brighten recommends weeklyExercise and the ADHD brain: lactate, BDNF, and why movement improves focusBest workouts for ADHD: strength training, sprints, and mobility workCreatine, saffron, bacopa, and other supplements for ADHDSleep and ADHD: delayed sleep phase syndrome and the default mode networkLate-diagnosed ADHD in women: why so many women are diagnosed in their late 30s and 40s📎 RESOURCES MENTIONEDNumber of ADHD Patients Rising, Especially Among Women - https://www.epicresearch.org/articles/number-of-adhd-patients-rising-especially-among-women/ADHD link to severe premenstrual disorder uncovered in women - https://www.qmul.ac.uk/news/latest-news/2025/science-and-engineering/se/adhd-link-to-severe-premenstrual-disorder-uncovered-in-women.htmlGenetics of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6477889/Crocus sativus L. Versus Methylphenidate in Treatment of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind Pilot Study - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30741567/Moderate Exercise Tied to Improved ADHD Symptoms in Young Men - https://www.patientcareonline.com/view/moderate-exercise-tied-improved-adhd-symptoms-young-menAdult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and clinical correlates of delayed sleep phase disorder - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178119324564Methylphenidate and Its Impact on Redox Balance and Behavior - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12565610/Creatine Promotes Endometriosis by Inducing Ferroptosis Resistance via Suppression of PrP - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11481182/Website: https://drbrighten.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrightenYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrightenTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrightenBIODr. Jolene Brighten is an internationally recognized expert in hormones, women’s health, and ADHD across the female lifespan. A board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist, nutrition scientist, certified menopause specialist, and sex counsellor, she is widely known for translating complex hormonal science into clear, clinically relevant care for patients and the doctors who treat them. She is the bestselling author of Beyond the Pill and Is This Normal, and is the host of The Dr. Brighten Show, a top-rated women’s health podcast. More at drbrighten.com📦 OUR SPONSORSPIQUE LIFE - Experience Transformative Results. Start your daily ritual today and elevate your morning and evening routine at https://piquelife.com/betterTIMELINE  - Timeline’s clinically proven formula is now available at a great price when you go to https://timelinenutrition.com/better with code BETTER.BERKELEY LIFE - Restore your nitric oxide and get your pre-menopausal self back. Go to https://berkeleylife.com and use code BETTER20 to save.JUST THRIVE HEALTH - Just Thrive's spore-based probiotics are the ones I trust. Take the Feel Better Challenge and save on your first order at https://justthrivehealth.com/better with code BETTER. ****************************P.S. When you're ready, here are two ways Dr. Stephanie can help you:Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife.Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.