{
  "id": 16494661,
  "title": "How the menstrual cycle might alter ADHD symptoms in women taking stimulant medication",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/how-the-menstrual-cycle-might-alter-adhd-symptoms-in-women-taking",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-25T16:00:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PsyPost",
    "slug": "psypost",
    "url": "https://www.psypost.org/how-the-menstrual-cycle-alters-adhd-symptoms-in-women-taking-stimulants/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders suggests that the menstrual cycle may impact the severity of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in women who take stimulant medications. Researchers found that ADHD traits tend to peak in severity during menstruation and then ease shortly after, indicating the need for hormone-aware treatment plans. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that is now diagnosed in nearly half of adult women in the United States, with many women presenting different behavioral patterns than men. Hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle, particularly the rise and fall of ovarian hormones, may influence brain chemistry and worsen ADHD symptoms. The study, led by researchers Rebecca Zaritsky, Stephanie C. Reed, and Suzette M. Evans, tracked participants' daily experiences over 35 consecutive days to monitor changes. Participants, who were between 18 and 40 years old with diagnosed ADHD and used amphetamine salts for at least five days a week, reported their ADHD symptoms, mood, and medication dosage daily. The research found that participants experienced the most severe ADHD symptoms during menstruation, while symptoms were milder during the mid-follicular phase. Mood tracking revealed a correlation between negative emotions and ADHD symptoms, with participants reporting higher negative moods and symptom severity during the late luteal and menstruation phases. Despite these fluctuations, daily amphetamine doses remained consistent, suggesting that participants did not adjust their medication intake based on their menstrual cycle. The study's limitations include its small sample size and reliance on self-reported surveys without laboratory measurements of hormone levels.",
  "summary": "A new study reveals that ADHD symptoms peak in severity during menstruation for women taking stimulant medications. The findings suggest that natural hormonal fluctuations alter attention and mood, highlighting a need for highly personalized treatment plans.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "ADHD through the years: How symptoms change from childhood to adulthood",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/adhd-through-the-years-how-symptoms-change-from-childhood-to-adulthood",
        "published": "2026-10-24T02:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}