How Hormones and Menopause Impact on Women with ADHD - Adele Wimsett

[@Peta8888]

Thank you, my menopause made my ADHD/anxiety and depression deadly. It's so frustrating when many women say "oh it's not that bad" "it's just some sweats and I cried a bit" It's women who need to hear this. All women.

[@siobhanelliot]

Agree, we need to be each other’s allies and have understanding of how it can be for other women

[@dazwischen5072]

Yes, I agree, we need too talk about this so much more! How women go through menopause is SOOO different. Some don’t even notice it! I can feel what you are writing, that the ADHD/ menopause mixture was deadly. … Much love to you from a fellow ADHD postmenopause woman! ❤

[@Peta8888]

@dazwischen5072 there was a great interview on diary of a CEO with a menopause expert. It was brilliant

[@MV-kk3nh]

Bless you and Thank you for sharing!!! Also for how candid, honest, real, and genuinely you share your experiences. I'm a 48 yr old woman diagnosed with ADD 10 months ago and yes, it was both, a huge validation and relief and shortly thereafter a clusterfk of wait!!! So now what??? who am I really? Am I a complete impostor??? Etc... I'm still figuring it all out. I also have a couple of comorbidities, 3 years ago I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism and now I believe I'm also going through perimenopause. I started taking stimulants right away and it helped so much, but about 2 months ago my meds stopped working, I upped the dose and nothing. Though I did have a huge disagreement with a family member that just disregulated me to the moon and back, so I'm not sure if this had anything to do with my meds not working anymore or if it's perimenopause and/or something else, but regardless, I'm now goingto give priority to learn all I can about my cycle. What I have heard opened my eyes to the hormone imbalance, the health system being built on and around research done exclusively with men and for men ultimately. The most ridiculous reason being because it's cheaper... (blows my frkn mind) etc... We have so many obstacles to overcome... Yet I thank God for KZbin and all the brave souls that take the time, muster up the courage and share their experiences to create awareness for someone like me. You have been THE lifeline for me. Most of my research on ADD/ADHD has been on KZbin. This information about hormone fluctuations makes total sense to me!!! This may be one of the important puzzle pieces I need to look into to be able to regulate myself better, monitor my meds along my cycle and learn strategies for every phase of my cycle. Currently I'm all over the place disregulated. But I'm making an appointment with a gynecologist soon and I'm requesting all of the labs that are available to me to get to the bottom of my current menopausal phase. I will first check out all the resources that Adele has mentioned to also be prepared for that appointment. I also plan to let her know about Adele's research and hopefully she'll be interested and can become aware and share it as well. I feel this information is more than worthy to be shared EVERYWHERE!!! I'm certain this information will help so many women living miserable lives blaming themselves and trying harder to no avail. I know I have a long and hard road ahead of me. I have much to learn, UNLEARN and relearn, and yes, it is overwhelming, but what has kept my spirits up for these past 10 month on this journey has been amazing people on KZbin like yourselves. Bless you forever from the bottom of my heart!!! A MASSIVE THANK YOU AND HUGS!!! I'm from the other side of the world; yet our stories unite us!!! ~Magdalena (Chicago, IL, USA)

[@dazwischen5072]

@@Peta8888 thank you, I’ll look for it!

[@howareyou857]

I am a female primary mental health clinician. I am also neurodivergent and post menopausal. I also have a daughter who is going through puberty. This is a VERY important conversation. Thank you.

[@ADHD_Chatter_Podcast]

I'm so pleased you agree. Thank you! Alex 💚

[@harmoniseyou]

I have a webinar on my website that may be of interest to you, which is specifically on mental health & hormones.

[@kellynorgrove7967]

I'm through menopause now, but my periods were horrific on my mental health. Literally, the drop in estrogen pushed me to the edge of all reason, I think it's called PDD, severe depression, anger, self hate....so.glad it's all over

[@howareyou857]

@kellynorgrove7967 yes and the luteal phase can be awful...has been for my daughter and I am really having a tough time finding a progesterone I can tolerate with HRT

[@lisanicholls4226]

Where can I find the link to the resource that’s mentioned at the end please?

[@onelittledropintheocean]

I am sad to say the only information that matches my personal experience is online podcasts. I do not feel validated for my symptoms by GPs, friends, family or therapists! I have learned to accept this & just be thankful for the bits they can support me with. 53yo & yet to be diagnosed with ADHD, even my therapist just wants me to focus on healing my trauma, but I know I have it & so does my son. Nothing else describes my reality like ADHD that's being self discovered the hard way in my 50's. I have lost so much from my ignorance of my true self. If only I'd known earlier 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@joollycrystal5474]

Ditto

[@dazwischen5072]

Yes, same here. Online support is greater than IRL. Unfortunately. Big hug to you , here’s hoping you got the diagnosis!❤

[@rowanstarling3816]

I have so many diagnoses of other things, so, I'm afraid to ask my therapist to assess me for ADHD, even though I'm 95% sure I have it. I'm 59, and watching these podcasts make so much sense to everything I've experienced. C-ptsd and anxiety on top of many other things.

[@jeangubar2132]

Iv struggled all my life , I'm 63, never got help, or resisted it because I didn't want to take meds. Iv always tried to figure it out on my own. Iv got many regrets and it has ruined many parts of my life. Iv learned so much about ADHD from podcasts like this, thank you!

[@tjmyr4304]

I resonate with this person, I’m 71 though fortunately I discovered natural healing methods that have helped me immensely since early 20’s. Just this past year came across ADHD coach that described me to a T and without a diagnosis,just adopting knowledge, strategies has relieved a lifetime of guilt, shame and self loathing. Also getting some help from a good therapist that agrees with my self diagnosis and let me know my insurance would not cover therapy if I had ADHD diagnosis as it’s not considered a mental/emotional condition by them!!

[@xannaz9226]

I got diagnosed at 63, two years ago. It was definitely worth the effort to get it officially confirmed. I have a whole new tribe, now.

[@xannaz9226]

I've listened to gobs of ADHD podcasts since I received my diagnosis, and this is outrageously new information. With all the physical and mental tests I've recently been through, not one practitioner has mentioned hormones. I'm 65, and don't believe I've ever had my hormones checked. That's about to change. Fascinating, and special kudos that a male host cared enough to do this groundbreaking interview.

[@Heather_Michelle]

THIS IS SO IMPORTANT!! There's so much bad advice out there for women in general, but if you're neurodivergent? There's nothing! And hormones hit us so hard in different phases of our lives... for me it's been terrible pregnancies, decades of PMDD and now perimenopause that's wreaking havoc on my brain and body and my gyno's only offering of assistance was "learn to embrace menopause". Thank you so much for putting this info out there and increasing awareness ❤

[@harmoniseyou]

I’m so pleased this resonates!

[@justbeegreen]

F your ignorant gyno. ❤

[@SarahDale111]

A carnivore diet saved my health. We need adequate fat and cholesterol to balance our hormones.

[@lisamercier391]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Menopause makes ADHD 100xs worse.Its no joke how you feel about yourself

[@alcyone-rising]

OMG I'm living it. it was totally managed for 15yrs, that and depression and anxiety too/ it has almost destroyed my life.

[@susanlodgerelaxations5269]

Totally

[@anniebauer2563]

ADHD and PMDD stole half my life and held me back w misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis. They knew I was ADHD but couldn't help me w PMDD. But I managed and FINALLY became very successful at 41--by the time I was 45 I was in horrific perimenopause but didn't know it--I thought it was covid. I thought I got into bad habits and was isolated. Nope--my difficult ADHD became menacing and totally unmanageable--by the time I finally got a doctor to give me HRT--everything was gone. I don't have anything w which to start over.

[@danamatthews7700]

😢 I've been suffering terribly with a crippling depression for the past year + and should be happy I survived...my grief became unbearable and my inability to deal with the passage of time came back with a vengeance...believing that I missed my children's entire baby years/childhoods (they were 4.5 and 8 years old). I am glad you have survived this long too. Keep fighting. May God bless you and may peace be with you. Perimenopause/menopause is a bitch.​@@alcyone-rising

[@Dancestar1981]

It absolutely does

[@jenfizz4312]

My life completlty unravelled at menopause 😢 diagnosed at 57

[@Mr_Penguins_Pet_Human]

It took years for my wife and I to realise that progesterone was causing her mental health problems, including PMDD. The doctors (inc gyno) didn't know why, and we never found out... until now! Thank you!

[@howareyou857]

Yes it's pure hell for some of us. I discovered this when I started down the HRT route. Still seeking the right combo. If only slapping on a patch was the solution!

[@ADHD_Chatter_Podcast]

I'm so pleased the podcast is helping, this is SUCH an important topic. Alex 💚

[@Mr_Penguins_Pet_Human]

@@howareyou857 My wife is now on sequential HRT for perimenopause and only needs progesterone every few months to trigger a period. Different progestins affect her differently and tried several before she found it was an artificial one that works best. Surprisingly, the bioidentical progesterone caused the most issues.

[@harmoniseyou]

You’re so welcome. I have a free webinar on this topic on my website you can download too.

[@m.bird.]

Thank you for being a supportive partner!

[@finchsparrowbird]

Half our ADHD World *needs* to hear this!! 👏👏👏❤

[@ADHD_Chatter_Podcast]

Yes they do!! Hopefully it reaches as many of them as possible. Alex 💚

[@GrimHeks]

Where I live, private healthcare will not cover any testing of female specific hormones, because those hormones are only acknowledged in the medical world within the frame of pregnancy, which is not covered in insurance, and completely ignored in every other regard. It's honestly insane that the world is like this. I had to go back to my home country, which is a 3rd world country, to request having my hormones tested out of my own pocket, and it showed my hormones were completely out of balance. I had to bring those results back to the country where I live and show them to the doctor and then they were just like oh ok, we can't help you with that though.... Women's health is currently a joke to the medical world and hopefully that changes SOON.

[@harmoniseyou]

Sadly this is a far too common experience 😔medically the advice tends to be to take synthetic hormones or have a hysterectomy but that is so much we can do ❤

[@Menace_oce]

This podcast resonated more with me than any other - I (27 M) noticed my symptoms really exacerbated at 22 when i came off my first steroid cycle (taking estrogen blockers post cycle to eliminate rebound) stupidly i did this without the supervision of my doctor and ended up throwing my hormones out of whack for nearly a year. I think its important to highlight how vast the adhd spectrum is and how differently it can appear in different people, i sympathize massively with all the women who have gone undiagnosed for so long as a result of ADHD being put in a box of "hyperactivity" when the inattentiveness can be just as debilitating! Keep up the awesome work - I've learned so much more from these podcasts than my psychiatrist has ever been able to teach me!

[@ADHD_Chatter_Podcast]

I really appreciate this comment, it's nice to hear how much the podcast is helping! Alex 💚

[@kateidiens3327]

I’m not even adhd and I found this really informative as a woman! Good podcast to listen to regardless of you Nuro diversity! Thankful! 🌅😍✌️😎

[@ADHD_Chatter_Podcast]

Thank you! 💚

[@harmoniseyou]

Wonderful 🎉

[@siobhanelliot]

The self compassion and kindness and acceptance change everything

[@m.bird.]

❤

[@anneg8319]

All humans need to recognize the brain is an ORGAN. And treat it as such, affected medically just as much as any other ORGAN can be. The thyroid is an ORGAN. Kidneys are an ORGAN. The liver is an ORGAN. The brain is an ORGAN. Thank you for helping bring this understanding to the forefront.

[@basiaminta9256]

Thank you! This is very insightful. It's great to see someone with credentials stand up for other women with ADHD. I always wondered why some things don't work for me.

[@dmistry8304]

I have only just discovered my ADHD and been married for 17 years. My amazing husband has learned my cycle and reassured me about my symptoms and behaviours because he sees it. He did this before I started tracking for myself.

[@kellynorgrove7967]

I haven't been diagnosed but suspect I have Adhd and same with my husband he learnt my symptoms and was able to try to rationalise my terribly depression and moods for me

[@nicoleanderes8060]

Beautiful thank you for this. I’m a hairdresser and hear so much from my clients having menopause symptoms and it’s so great to collect helpful information to share with them ❤

[@ADHD_Chatter_Podcast]

Thank you!

[@harmoniseyou]

I have lots of free resources on my website that may be of help to them too 🥰

[@kirstyanyahairartist]

me too! Ive shared on my salon page for my clients. All woman are searching for this info needing understanding

[@thescienceofwellbeinguk]

Thank you for talking about this. The more I learn, the more I'm shocked by the lack of research in the things that cause women such distress! I, and many women, spend their lives feeling like a different person from one week to the next. It's a constant struggle, and it's got worse in my forties. Feeling happy doesn't come often, and fluctuations in emotion and irritability are just a way of life. It's exhausting x

[@m.bird.]

It's easier to be happy if we aren't always told we are deficient because we aren't perfectly stable. We aren't men.

[@swoo4914]

'Im not sure if people know what it feels like to feel good' hit so hard. This was an exceptional podcast, thank you and i could do sooooo many edits on my comments. The RSD comment associated with luteal phase, wow! I could never tolerate the pill, it would send my mental health way off. I have always tried to raise this with healthcare providers, but no discussions were followed through other than 'try the coil' or 'use condoms'. Thanks again and love to all here ❤

[@harmoniseyou]

I am so pelased it resonated

[@traceyhanson6853]

I had an intolerance to synthetic Progesterone and it was a very scary time in my life. Even though I was being treated for Menopause under a specialist clinic it was my awareness of my symptoms from many years of living with PMDD and seeking a private assessment did they agree to consider a total hysterectomy. More needs to be done and this Podcast is so refreshing. I will be sharing this with many women who like me have ADHD, thank you 😊❤

[@ADHD_Chatter_Podcast]

Thanks so much, I'm pleased it's helping people! Alex 💚

[@harmoniseyou]

This so common for ADHD women to react to synthetic progestins & women are repeatedly told they are replacing progesterone, which is true! I have a whole free webinar on this on my website if you ever need validation of your experience ❤️

[@m.bird.]

Thank you! I felt so much better after stopping taking combo pill birth control, but started taking progestin-based for the last 6 years. I will try stopping. My goal is to not be on any medications at all. And use diet, exercise and self-acceptance instead. I'm close!

[@Victoria-xr7vo]

You've explained so much that makes sense to my life- I've often felt I run on square wheels and feeling 'less than' for it, like it's my fault or there is 'something wrong' with me. Fast forward years and I'm still rebuilding my self esteem and learning to own my autistic/adhd self and never apologise for it again, and take rest when I feel I need it. More on post menopausal info please. Thank you for an excellent interview ❤.

[@harmoniseyou]

I’m so pleased you feel validated ❤

[@KellieFergusson]

This is what we need more of. Thankyou very much Adele and Alex. Diagnosed at 51, like so many, this information is long overdue. So I am truly grateful to be able to sit and listen and understand myself more and more with each guest's story and knowledge. May I ask where I can find the link to download Adele's letter I can take to my GP to start looking into the links to hormones and ADHD

[@jillharsh9222]

A huge takeaway for me, and is not even the main topic of conversation: I am so glad to have heard someone say menopause is actually just One Day! (I celebrated mine five years ago). I had told my sisters it had to be since everything before was peri-menopause, yet everything after was designated as post-menopause. Thank you, thank you! 🙌

[@harmoniseyou]

Pleasure 🥰

[@kirstenlapping4486]

Oh my days, I wish I'd seen a GP with this level of understanding and empathy as I grew up. I was always told "oh its your age ... It's because you're young" from being a child until I was 29, then at 30 "oh it's your age ...it's because you're getting older", wtf how does that work? Now I'm post menopausal and crikey perimenopause was a whole rollercoaster ride. Thankfully I have done a lot of holistic work which helped so much. I initially didn't have any understanding, it was awful. Now I'm hoping people will be this open, so people like my daughters can be more supported ❤🥰

[@jentommyontheroad8089]

So many parts of our lives need to be normalized! We need to normalize talking about women’s cycles, not only amongst ourselves, but also with our children. My oldest always asked lots of questions so it came out naturally when he about 8 and my youngest was 2 and had a box of menstrual products strewn all over the living room. It’s a funny story! In my own childhood my parents were completely repressed and if it hadn’t been for my best friend’s mom I would have known nothing! Now in menopause and there isn’t enough talk about things to expect with aging! I’m trying to normalize all of that within my family and out into my social circles as well as in the classroom with my students!

[@sarahorton602]

Brillant guest. I had to work all this out over so many confusion over the years. Xxx so clear and articulate

[@harmoniseyou]

Thank you ❤

[@BlueberryIce096]

Thankyou so much for this podcast honestly opened my eyes up so much! As a female, I got told at the age of 12 from my doctor that they wanted me to take a mental health assessment, now 28years old different doctor told me im more than likely adhd now waiting for assessment, more awareness needs to done for females so they don't struggle or go through school with questions of not understanding themselves! Its one heck of a lonely world

[@cheryllindberg1975]

Alrighty then... new rabbit hole to go down. Loved this interview ❤️

[@Paperdoll-]

This is really worth the watch. She is brilliant and I now understand so much more. Thank you for this guest speaker

[@m.bird.]

This was so good for self-acceptance. Woman are always trying to regulate and correct themselves to fit into a flat paternal world. We are inherently in flux and that's OK. So is energy, nature and so is the universe. We are creators. There is a freedom in not fighting or over-medicating our natural rhythms.

[@MV-kk3nh]

Bless you and Thank you for sharing!!! Also for how candid, honest, real, and genuinely you share your experiences. I'm a 48 yr old woman diagnosed with ADD 10 months ago and yes, it was both, a huge validation and relief and shortly thereafter a clusterfk of wait!!! So now what??? who am I really? Am I a complete impostor??? Etc... I'm still figuring it all out. I also have a couple of comorbidities, 3 years ago I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism and now I believe I'm also going through perimenopause. I started taking stimulants right away and it helped so much, but about 2 months ago my meds stopped working, I upped the dose and nothing. Though I did have a huge disagreement with a family member that just disregulated me to the moon and back, so I'm not sure if this had anything to do with my meds not working anymore or if it's perimenopause and/or something else, but regardless, I'm now goingto give priority to learn all I can about my cycle. What I have heard opened my eyes to the hormone imbalance, the health system being built on and around research done exclusively with men and for men ultimately. The most ridiculous reason being because it's cheaper... (blows my frkn mind) etc... We have so many obstacles to overcome... Yet I thank God for KZbin and all the brave souls that take the time, muster up the courage and share their experiences to create awareness for someone like me. You have been THE lifeline for me. Most of my research on ADD/ADHD has been on KZbin. This information about hormone fluctuations makes total sense to me!!! This may be one of the important puzzle pieces I need to look into to be able to regulate myself better, monitor my meds along my cycle and learn strategies for every phase of my cycle. Currently I'm all over the place disregulated. But I'm making an appointment with a gynecologist soon and I'm requesting all of the labs that are available to me to get to the bottom of my current menopausal phase. I will first check out all the resources that Adele has mentioned to also be prepared for that appointment. I also plan to let her know about Adele's research and hopefully she'll be interested and can become aware and share it as well. I feel this information is more than worthy to be shared EVERYWHERE!!! I'm certain this information will help so many women living miserable lives blaming themselves and trying harder to no avail. I know I have a long and hard road ahead of me. I have much to learn, UNLEARN and relearn, and yes, it is overwhelming, but what has kept my spirits up for these past 10 month on this journey has been amazing people on KZbin like yourselves. Bless you forever from the bottom of my heart!!! A MASSIVE THANK YOU AND HUGS!!! I'm from the other side of the world; yet our stories unite us!!! ~Magdalena (Chicago, IL, USA)

[@lisagercovich3870]

That was the best analogy for oestrogen and progesterone i have ever heard. Brilliant! Beyonce and the zen yoga chick. So perfectly explained 💎🙏🏽

[@LinArtzy]

thank you so much for talking about this. Its such a shame that this isnt shared more. I love how this is grounded in science, because it so easy to make the cycle to a "thing". We all know how its joked about "oh youre pms". I swear that wouldnt be the joke if men had to deal with this trough theire lives :) having ADHD added to the mix can be really messy. Please have more of this content, and thumbs up being a male content maker inviting guest to talk about womens health and adhd :) kudos for that!

[@harmoniseyou]

I absolutely hear you!

[@nickibanks5185]

A thank you to you the interviewe for answering questions that were previously just one of the unanswerable mysteries of life that made you feel more of an alien than your neurotypical friends family. Thank you also to the interviewer for asking the mystery questions in first place 🙏💯👏

[@cmdoduck]

Loving this interview! It's so great to see people talking about this!

[@ADHD_Chatter_Podcast]

Such an important topic! Thanks for supporting the podcast. Alex 💚

[@AmberLillySophie]

We need more doctors like her ! I ll send the link to my own GP Thank you so much Adele and Alex ! ❤

[@mariewalton555]

Great podcast I had a hysterectomy at 29 now 40 with adhd hormones have been a terrible journey for only now at 40 I’m looking into the connection of adhd and hormones thank you loved this ❤

[@ADHD_Chatter_Podcast]

Thanks for sharing that. I'm pleased you loved the episode! Alex 💚

[@harmoniseyou]

I have various free resources that might help on my website ❤

[@trcyg17]

I loved this chat. Thank you so much Alex and Adele. Thanks for asking Adele about hormones in menopause and ADHD. Her passion led her away from that part of the question, which was joyful to listen to all the same! I will click on her website link. I've newly discovered your channel Alex and I love your shorts and the chats. Thank you.

[@ADHD_Chatter_Podcast]

I’m so pleased you found the channel :) 💚

[@harmoniseyou]

Oh dear 😂please do let me know if I can answer any questions!

[@carolinepapp6645]

Such a great podcast. So important for women's health. Employers need to be more supportive around women's menstrual cycles in general although even more so with neurodivergent females.

[@ADHD_Chatter_Podcast]

Thank you! Alex 💚

[@harmoniseyou]

I agree! Spain has introduced work place period policies which is promising….

[@awillis2676]

I love it. I cane up with all kinds of analogies and "characters" for different things our brains do when we're having panic attacks or hellish levels of anxiety. 😁

[@LauraB.335]

Hormones are huge in everyday health and well-being. It’s estimated that 93% of American (IDK about other countries) adults are metabolically unhealthy and are insulin resistant. Dr. Elizabeth Bright uses animal proteins and fats to reverse menopausal symptoms and thyroid issues in women. She talks about how menopause isn’t supposed to be this big thing at all, but that the low fat, no red meat message doesn’t help the process. Animal fats are necessary for hormonal health. When I went through menopause, I used to have wicked hot flashes. They stopped completely within a day or two of me eating fewer carbs (no sugar, processed food, grains, or vegetable/seed oils). There are also women who say they’ve gotten rid of (or, at a minimum, improved) brain issues (ADHD, M.S., anxiety, depression, etc) with a fatty meat heavy diet, such as meat-heavy keto or carnivore.

[@jenniferjordan4696]

You're telling my story. I can SO relate to just about everything you said!

[@mkmoody2870]

Thank you so much for this!

[@nanasabia]

I am crying. So true everything. And especially the waiting I til it gets really bad. I still can’t believe all of it. That this is happening to me.

[@nixonbraithwaite3302]

As a trans non binary person who was assigned female at birth this conversation has had an hugely insightful and positive impact on me. Thank you both.

[@KathrinLöhring]

What a great interview 😍

[@ADHD_Chatter_Podcast]

Thank you! Alex 💚

[@osirisianplays8089]

thank you for sharing your experience adele :)

[@harmoniseyou]

My pleasure ❤

[@djwildblood]

Thank you for this - a real game-changer to hear what I've thought for a while now as a menopausal ADHD soul dealing with hormones that feel like they did when I was a teenager. You mentioned a letter on Adele's website to take with you for health appointments. I couldn't find it - do you have a direct link. Thank you

[@m.bird.]

I couldn't find it either, just a link to a study

[@LisaMT1218]

I have fallen apart because of menopause. I have repeatedly said I would rather have my period till I die to avoid this hell. Menopause has ruined my life.

[@m.bird.]

It seems like it is a legitimate death and rebirth hormonally. And the grief, anger, denial, rage, process that goes with it. It's kind of miraculous.

[@RachelLondon]

She is spot on. She is speaking my life. I've studied my cycle for over 10 years, and this is my observation also. Interesting to hear someone articulate my experience.

[@harmoniseyou]

That’s amazing that you have tracked for so long 🎉

[@laurenprosser536]

YES!!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH❤

[@GovilGirl]

I was severely low on several vitamins so I absolutely need supplements and I have medications I need too. I was able to hire a small non chain pharmacist who sat down with me for an hour and helped me make a schedule on a spreadsheet so I wasn't taking things together that cancelled each other out and so I was taking things that needed to be taken together and with protein or a fat (because otherwise taking that vitamin is not effective). I typed up the spreadsheet with notes on when I take them, what and how to take them, why I take them, where to get them etcetera and use the printed list as a check off as I sort out 4 or 5 weeks of sorters for each time period and then as a shopping list if I am running low. The list with my scribbled updates for shopping is very handy for doctor appointments too.) I set reminders on my phone for my med times. I keep all the bottles and snacks and sorters in one basket including extra snacks. I put a week of sorters and snacks where I expect to be at that time. Example 7 AM green - nightstand: Filtered water in a closed travel mug, small jar of peanut butter with a spoon rubber banded to it bc I need 1 TBsp of protein and fat/oil with these meds. I have an extra water bottle stashed there incase I forget to refill my mug. 11:30 AM pink - desk and backup in purse: Each compartment has a mini Reese chocolate and peanut butter cup jammed into it with pills. It could just be a hard candy too bc I don't need to take anything with this set but having a bit of sugar makes me WANT to take them right away. 😋 3:30 PM purple - desk and backup in purse: But instead of candy I have a Protein or Keto bar to have as a little reward and snack. 6 PM clear - Bathroom counter (small sorter backup in purse): I need to take these just before eating a meal. I wash my hands before I eat so they are on counter as a reminder. 9 PM blue - Bathroom counter with my toothbrush. I put reminder appointments into my calender to call my doctor for refills or to go to store for more vitamins etc.

[@clairehartley860]

It is really quite saddening that we are in 2024 and so little is known about women’s bodies and how they react to different situations and medicines. Women are not ‘little men’! As I head towards 60, I am so sad that I didn’t care for myself more when I was on the roller coaster of my monthly cycle and that I was often made to feel unstable or incapable.

[@harmoniseyou]

I absolutely hear you. We are paving the way for younger generations though ❤

[@Dancestar1981]

Because they were never prioritised

[@KainosJoyPodcast]

Thank you for sharing !

[@Dancestar1981]

Knowledge is power

[@LadyBeesTOYBOX]

Medea, an Ancient Greek Preistess, is where we get our word 'Medicine' and 'Mediterranean'. She was the first Pharmakon...or pharmacologist!! She could manipulate menstruation, childbirth, and mental illness...with drugs through sexual rites. Her aim was to HEAL society by bringing mind altering psychedelic visions that brought death and then rebirth. You would no longer fear death. This was all covered up by Monotheistic religion. Can you imagine the world today if we had this powerful gift?

[@lisabayliss3524]

Thank you so much for this great podcast 🙏🏻❤ Information that all ADHD women should be aware of . Menopause makes ADHD so much worse. Protein definitely helps

[@KariEngblom-Youkey]

Much needed podcast! Thank you, but as a post menopausal woman I was hoping for more information around how this phase of life may affect adhd.... there was a crumb on neurodiversity and inflammation. How about neuro-autoimmune issues? Also, post menopausal depression? Cognition? I've had 5 doctors tell me " you are post menopausal, you don't have hormone issues ". I am also ADHD and no cycle feels exactly how I felt on the pill... doldrums and the inability to get to hyperfocus anymore. 😢

[@m.bird.]

Have you tried ADHD medication?

[@allyjones9616]

I wish I could get help, not diagnosed yet but my life fell apart when I started the menopause 😢 I lost everything and still now I can’t seem to get out of this nightmare am in, my house is horrible because I start things and don’t finish things. I forget to eat. I’ve been an alcoholic and drugs. Am off everything but struggling everyday. Am 53 and a veteran with PTSD. It’s like all motivation has left me

[@stixsta6007]

Hey, similar to you, working front line crisis and hit a wall last September, kind of fell to bits, and had some neuralgia symptom scares. GP was dire so tried some self help and I stumbled across the keto/ carnivore community. Slowly transitioned to being fat adapted and what an incredible difference. Made smoking and drinking easier to withdraw from, and the improved energy level and mental clarity is crazy. Look up Kerry Mann from Homesteadhow, his passion is infectious, much respect 😁💪

[@KayleighSaxton]

Great episode 🎉

[@dillzio]

I'm loving your podcasts, as someone who's going the process of being diagnosed as an adult also. Do you know why your podcasts aren't available on KZbin Music? Google podcasts is discontinued, which is a massive pain cos now I have to change my routine for how I listen to podcasts. I have youtube music, but not spotify, but your podcast doesn't come up on youtube music. :(

[@steinermarty3944]

Thank you!!!

[@timbobshe]

THIS IS INCREDIBLE and I wish I wasn't sleep deprived right now! Haha xD It’s criminal how we are taught so little about female hormone cycle (monthly and lifetime), man, just hormones in general, it’s an absolute shit show! I had no idea about this stuff. I’m 33. Just realising Im divergent after a lifetime of issues with mental health, and learning of the hormonal deficiencies and challenges in divergence, finally realising and learning how hormones impact on my traits and to read a period cycle to try to predict how it will be and accommodate for myself. It’s so wrong that it is so misunderstood in the typical world, nevermind in female/non binary divergence :< Im dreading the menopause. As someone who has always been all over the place and no idea how my body works, it’s already a nightmare, hitting that stage?! Kill me now, send help, and all the binge food lol. Thank you so much for everything.

[@ADHD_Chatter_Podcast]

You're right, it's criminal! Thank you for supporting the podcast! Alex 💚

[@timbobshe]

@@ADHD_Chatter_Podcast aaaa almost feel embarrassed you’ve replied to a comment! Omg! D’X No, thank you so much for the work you have done. This podcast has been some of the best therapy I’ve ever had hahaha. You have no idea how much you guys have helped us all, especially those who are late to the party re neurodiversity. This channel is amazing. You’re all amazing. Thank you so much for everything. Preordered the book. Hope you’ve decided on colours haha. Also…check on the washing ;D

[@harmoniseyou]

Always happy t😊 help - Perimeno honestly doesn’t need to be a nightmare, even with some simple lifestyle tweaks ❤

[@siobhanelliot]

@@harmoniseyouthis is the message people who are facing perimenopause need to read 🎉

[@mumoffour6860]

A mix of post partum and perimenopause (after a progesterone-supplemented pregnancy)… I crashed. I fell apart. I had no idea what was happening to me. I was told depression, cptsd, anxiety…. It wasn’t until ADHD dawned on me… it all fit together. Finally there’s an answer.

[@MaiNguyen-gn9dd]

😮 I am here to hear how fasting might impact our hormones in a negative way as hinted in the trailer. I couldn’t find the follow-up of that in the rest of the episode. Did I miss it? Is it just me or can someone point me to the part where they have the conversation in the trailer?

[@debbieellen5822]

Around 37 minutes

[@montycora]

Great conversation, however I have to massively disagree with the ketogenic diet. I have been on it for the past 4 years and it has changed my brain for the better immensely. Carbs mess up with me BIG time. I can only properly function on ketones and I have heard of many similar stories to mine. I don't understand exactly why we need carbs? What is the function of it in our bodies? Aren't our hormones made of cholesterol?

[@bianka4001]

That's good for you, honestly. But it was completely opposite for me. So still please be mindful about recommending it. It's not the miracle work certain people make it out to be. Cause then it'd work for everyone but it doesn't. You can recommend people to try it as it worked for you while also being so honest in saying it can also go the other way round. Issue is most people following Keto do not accept the fact it doesn't work for everyone. Especially for ADHD it can also be quite tricky to have people stick to Keto, when it's so damn hard already for some of us to brush our teeth twice a day..

[@montycora]

@@bianka4001 - funny thing is that I know A LOT of women helped by the keto diet and actually none that the diet didn't work for them. The biggest problem it that people do "internet keto" and then they say it didn't work, that it harmed them. Half of these "internet keto" people don't even measure their ketones while on the diet, so they assume they are in ketosis, when they are not. Most of these people will restrict calories, nutrients, eat a high protein diet and think it's keto, will spend the whole day eating beef and bacon and assume it is keto... If you do a well formulated keto by a dietitian that KNOWS how to formulate a keto diet, I find it hard it won't help. If you restrict calories and don't make sure to supplement nutrients, then yes, it will hurt you. The ketogenic diet is a metabolic state and not really a diet per se. People think keto is a week only diet and anyone can do it from what they read on the web, just to lose weight and things like that. But no, it is something really serious that will change your metabolism entirely and also the expression of your genes, you REALLY have to know what you are doing for it to work, only then you can say it didn't work for you. And mind you, I have seen TONS of dietitians here in Brazil claiming to prescribe keto, but had no idea what they were doing....

[@harmoniseyou]

Every one is bio unique but the ovaries absoutely need carbohydrates to function and produce the hormones, as do many other funciotns in the body. Women have a sensor in the brain that men do not have, which constantly monitors macro nutrients, ickuding carbs - without these nutrients the HPO axis is affected and ovulation may not occur, which means hormones are not prodcued. This has negative effects on women's short & long term health. Ihope that helps explain why it is so important that menstruating women include complex carbs in their diet.

[@montycora]

@@harmoniseyou - could you please point me to a place where I can verify this information, as I can't really find a source for this. It does not make sense, every single carbohydrate that enters our mouths are turned into glucose, except for fiber, which will be turned into short chain fatty acid in the gut, which can be provided by ketones and the body also produces all the glucose it needs, so biochemically speaking, I would like to understand this process, because in humans there is zero need for dietary carbohydrates, since we can make ourselves everything we need. Hence carbohydrates being the only macro nutrient that is not classified as essential.

[@EllyDarkSky]

Completely agree.

[@alcyone-rising]

It doesnt matter how I approach creating a lifestyle the rest of the world doesn't care how I feel or if its not the optimal day for me. Postmen here - this is effecting my job. and that is only making the anxiety, the RSD, and the self esteem are tanking. I am on HRT and severely ADHD and with clinical depression. lots of anxiety. general mental state had stabilized but now it's not. time to see dr to adjust levels. took 3 yrs to find a dr with the knowledge and modern mindset to treat me. (most drs I saw especially men, kept telling me it was in my head) to hell with that. i demand quality of life. if I were a man, I doubt there wouldn't have been any resistance to addressing my situation.

[@jayrox4464]

What about post-menopausal women? Does the impact of hormones on ADHD symptoms go away?

[@bibimirnig9303]

highly concentrated monk‘s pepper helped me to deal with my pms getting out of control - felt like I’m becoming psychotic - since the last year (turning 42).

[@harmoniseyou]

This is usually linked to oestrogen dominance as we enter Perimeno. So great you found a solution.

[@t.terrell7037]

Any info on clinicians like this in the US?

[@anneg8319]

I was hoping to hear more regarding post menopause...did I miss something? Thank you in advance.

[@marlenehibiskus]

as an ADHD person I am triggered by the thumbnail and the intro with the cliffhanger that raises a question, but does not answer it and then there is a cut to a different sub-area of the topic. which is completely uninteresting, because our ADHD brain wants a quick answer to this one question and may then be able to engage in complex introduction, background information, etc. for 40 minutes. Of all the people in the world, you should know this best... Do better!!

[@autumnpendergast9151]

Me too. So frustrating. Clicking off

[@howareyou857]

@@marlenehibiskus I found it fine as an ADHD individual mainly because the topic is absolutely fascinating from start to finish

[@marlenehibiskus]

@@howareyou857 it definitely is. but I had to google the answer first, just to finish the sentence. I am more the type like: it is like this because of that. And here comes the elaborate explanation.

[@brianolsen87]

I think this caters more to the KZbin Algorithm + marketing that you need to do to get people to pay attention in the world we live in. To me, it’s more important that this information gets as much attention as possible ADHD and non-ADHD folks. So I think doing the typical tropes needed to garner attention is unfortunately the right thing. That said, since a good portion of the audience will be neurodivergent it would be nice to have quick TL;DRs in the comments to deal with the FOMO rage these prevalent tactics incite. *shakes fist at world*

[@brianolsen87]

@@marlenehibiskuson that, would you mind sharing your Google results? 😅

[@HennaHuu]

Important conversation. As a female bodied person in menopause (here's my wish for inclusive languag) hormones play such an important role not only in managing ADHD but in everything. :) I do have to disagree on the diet part, however, as myself and many others have gotten immense help for balancing hormones, easing PMS and PMDD symptoms, and of course reversing or putting chronic illnesses in remission with low carb or no carb animal based or carnivore diets. :)

[@ADHD_Chatter_Podcast]

Great comment, thanks for supporting the podcast! Alex 💚

[@hannajung7512]

The key to understanding these diets is, that they are not studied on female bodied people, but on male ones. This means, that the effect is not as predictable for those of us with female bodies. The problem with personal accounts is, that they are only individual experiences, AND it is not clear, what exactly the person giving their account means when they say "low carb" or "carnivore" or any other diet name. And it is not possible with these second hand accounts to know what else the people did at the same time. Did they start to do mindfullness practices? Did they start a sport programm? Did they take new medicine or stopped taking one? All these things play a role to understand the actual role a specific diet plays for a persons health. That said: a higher (percentage) protein and fat intake is in fact crucial for most people, since our modern diet tends to be way to heavy on carbs. But a certain amount of carbs is necessary. And most of the time, when people talk about "no carb" or "carnivore diet", they do not actually refer to a ketogenic diet. They still eat things that contain some amount of carbs in one form or another. It is also problematic to tell people especcially people with ADHD they should stick to a specific diet, considering all the issues we have with food intake, that will burden us with un-necessary guilt, when we cannot manage to stick to it. And it can lead to sever cases of malnutrition, when people are not able to manage diets properly, that need careful planning to avoid that. I have no doubt though, that the hyper-fokus high that can come with trying a new diet can have really beneficial effects, and will allow people to eat very healthy for a prolonged time and thus feel a lot better, then they did befor.

[@bianka4001]

Just be mindful with that advice, despite having PCOS on top I have done terribly on fasting, low carb and then Keto. It gave me so many new issues. Everyone is different, body and mind.

[@kirstyanyahairartist]

where is the link for the form to take to doctor? I cant find it

[@kirstyanyahairartist]

never mind, i found it again (right at end at 40.00 mins) its on her website if anyone else is looking :)

[@brianolsen87]

ADHD girldad here…I’m here to learn about the Beyoncé hormones. 📝 Currently only 23 min in but now I’m wondering what’s happening pre puberty as puberty feels far away (I know it’s not as far as it seems other parents of KZbin).

[@_BO.]

So happy you are willing to educate yourself in order to be more understanding of your girls. Good job dad! When I was going through puberty I even was afraid to tell my parents when I got my first period. I was too ashamed. Have that open dialogue with your daughters, that it's a natural thing would be helpful. Also, hormonal moodswings can occure sooner then their periods arrive, but I'm confident you know that already. It makes me happy that the way your daughters brain is 'wired' has a name. I did not get my diagnose (AUDhD) until I was 38 years old, so she can really benefit from this early diagnose, and ofcourse from her parent taking this serious, obviously 🙂 Keep up the good work! Maybe one day womens healthcare wíll be something that society as a whole can carry, instead of girls and women having to rely on themselves so often. (Sorry for grammar mistakes, English is not my first language)

[@brianolsen87]

⁠@@_BO.your English sounds great! Ask any linguist and “proper English” doesn’t exist. ;) Thanks for complimenting my journey as a girl dad. I actually meant I have ADHD and am a girl dad as well. That said, my daughter is showing some similarities to her papa in this way unlike brother. I was raised by two women (my mom who has ADHD and my NT sister) so perhaps this opens me up thinking that all this stuff is just normal to me. I’ve never understood why society deems these discussions as not valuable when it offers more context to understand each other and ourselves better. Just remember that you’re doing folks a favor when you help them understand you. If they don’t want to accept it, that’s on them.

[@harmoniseyou]

This is brilliant to hear 🎉 nothing is really happening in terms of cycles pre puberty but there is a “shift” around 9 years old as the adrenals prepare for menarche

[@howareyou857]

@harmoniseyou and fascinatingly for neurodivergent girls this can be a time when intrusive thoughts are reported..OCD type behaviour etc

[@brianolsen87]

​@@harmoniseyou For a second I thought autotype screwed up the word for menstruation but alas, I've learned a new word today. Not that it has much to do with ADHD, but do you have any suggested resources to seek out around how to support my girl through these shifts? They are baffling for me as a man and I have high anxiety and overthinking (go figure) but I feel like society's narrative is that dad's should avoid talking to their daughters about what they are going through because dad's can't truly understand and it is embarrassing for girls to talk about it with their dads. Do you think that's more of an imposed narrative, or because that's how society is now I should just go with it so she doesn't feel awkward? My general approach already is to just ask at least once and take cues from whatever she tells me she's comfortable with but just let her know I'm willing to be there. That said, the "too much" ADHD part of me wants to just help her through it as it sounds like an incredibly confusing time to be a little human. I feel much more prepared to be there for my son, but I'm not sure how to best support her during this time.

[@FP-rw6yk]

This is brilliant, thank you. I do have a question though: I just about have time to pour a bowl of cereals in the morning. Every suggestion of quick high protein breakfast requires some cooking or prior prep (which, let's face it, with ADHD it may not happen). And if it may well be 5 minute cooking, but then there's the clearing up after breakfast, so that become half hour breakfast, and I don't have that time.

[@tinad8561]

Try lunch meat wrapped around cheese sticks. Or hard-boil a weeks’ worth of eggs on Sunday and keep them in the fridge.

[@snufkin544]

Yoghurt?

[@Dancestar1981]

Perimenopause you still having up and down cycles they’re just more unpredictable

[@urnansafish9283]

great episode but omg the bit about supplements to 'fix us' then forget about them🙈😭😭I feel attacked lol

[@harmoniseyou]

Haha! The struggle is real! We’ve all been there ❤

[@trekkie-cat]

I' m 47 and haven't started peri-menopause yet. I still get my regular periods.

[@harmoniseyou]

A great place to start os tracking ovulation as this give a marker of whether you are producing progesterone ❤

[@trekkie-cat]

@@harmoniseyou I don't know if I am. How can I tell progesterone? I only just finished this month's period.

[@Blou-]

We pay so much for healthcare here and well

[@bibimirnig9303]

Is there a difference added up & impacting me as an woman with AUDHD?

[@Dancestar1981]

Absolutely I have both ASD and Combined ADHD

[@maja-kehn9130]

This was really helpful, thank you. I´ve been following the ketogenic diet for the last week because I heard that it helps with neurological disorders. But I noticed my skin getting worse. It is really sad that womens health is still so under researched. We trust that doctors know what the best treatment is but if they only researched man than the results are almost worthless for us.

[@_BO.]

Maybe you get something out of this unasked advice, otherwise just ignore :). My friend is on a ketogenic diet (adding healthy fats, proteine and vegetables and no carbohydrates and no coffee). At first for a short time her symptoms got worse, and she got bad skin, but she was warned by her lifestylecoach that this is not uncommon. Her body had to adjust (and could it be a detoxify shortterm-effect that causes bad skin maybe?) Then it all changed for the better, she is doing very well on this diet, it works for her.

[@maja-kehn9130]

@@_BO. Thank you. I decided to stick it out a bit longer to see if it gets better on its own. So far I don´t have "keto flu" either and my mood does feel better. So, I´ll just wait and see. :)

[@harmoniseyou]

This is sadly due to misinformation being shared (with good intention!) women need carbs ❤

[@_BO.]

@@maja-kehn9130 Sounds good! Bless you

[@sandrapaterson4800]

The pill and adhd.... my hormones (and my brain) went crazy when i took it. (I'm Undiagnosed). Do post menopausal women have cycles? If so, what do they look like? Genuine question.

[@harmoniseyou]

No, the hormones flat line post meno, but women still often still feel like they fluctuate. it can be interesting to track around moon phases to see if there is a pattern.

[@5apples4chili]

How should ADHD people watch videos 42 minutes length without being distracted?😅

[@5apples4chili]

I mean. It's 1:02 and I think I was doing something else before I've doomscrolled here.

[@yverose8355]

Read comments lol 😂

[@bianka4001]

So can ADHD be the reason then why birth control makes me feel worse in the week leading up to my period in comparison to before I started the pill? I also have PCOS and my doc said the pill should help manage symptoms. He doesn't know about my ADHD though as I only found out after having my daughter..

[@Dancestar1981]

Yes

[@katzenbekloppt_mf]

Okay, but how can I handle that not having a regular cycle? I am 48 and since maybe 38 I have a more irregular circle then before. Have PMDD since childbirth with 25 and since then also unstable cycle. Before it was perfect 28 days. Now it's much shorter.

[@BadNessie]

Is there a chance to break it down with you gynecologist? My guess would be the cycle itself might be still the same, just higher speeds - but I obviously don't know for sure. Maybe there's a feasible way to find out and bring that info together with what we heard in the video. Love that we bump into each other every now and then under these kinds of videos, even if it means that life can be made extra complicated. Hope you find a way to figure this out, might be a massive help!

[@howareyou857]

@katzenbekloppt_mf what I am hearing is that adrenal function and liver support is helpful in the first instance. I also understand that stress causes hormonal imbalance so once the adrenal and liver function is more balanced your hormones may follow suit

[@katzenbekloppt_mf]

​@@howareyou857I meant how to plan for activities adapted to Your cycle if it's irregular and You simply can't plan.

[@katzenbekloppt_mf]

​@@BadNessiedon't have one for years as it is my "dentist" and I did not find a small practise with only one female gynaecologist that is specialized in trauma-sensitive handling of patients.

[@harmoniseyou]

This is deeper than I can reply in a message but happy to do a discovery call with you. Medically they tend to just prescribe the pill.

[@user-yt5dg8nf6y]

Great questions but, did she answer the questions?? I felt a bit disappointed with her answers.

[@harmoniseyou]

Please do let me know which questions are outstanding for you and I am happy to answer them. It is a huge detailed topic that we had to just touch the surface of within the time for, but I have a website full of resources that you can look at too.

[@franceskaschaeuffele64]

Into it at 14:13.... trace cycle stage vs symptoms. BUT what about PERIMENOPAUSE when there's for years irregularity only 5-7 cycles in a year??? For years! How about that???

[@harmoniseyou]

This is a great question and one I support owomen with. If you are hugely irregular track with the moon phases and see if you notice a pattern (many women do) - the full moon represents ovulation and new moon menstruation (you can find more about this on my website)

[@Dancestar1981]

It’s insane

[@dawnsneddon8040]

Carnivore diet is the best thing I've ever done

[@MichelleMorris-um7je]

If you don't have periods how do you know where you are in your cycle??

[@_BO.]

For me, I know it because: Since I've got an hormonal IUD, I practically lost my periods. Still I know exactly where I am in my cycle, because the PMDD / PMS symptoms are still there (moodswings and other physical symptoms who have always occured during my cycle). Do you notice anything specifically on your body / mind such as described to be common PMS / PMDD symptoms? Then you know that would be probably the days / one week right before you otherwise would get your period. The same with 'feeling your best self', you can google when this is likely the time for women during their cycle to be on their best. Hope this helps.

[@harmoniseyou]

You won’t have a cycle without a periods as you won’t be ovulating. It can depend on why you’re not menstruating too ❤️

[@MichelleMorris-um7je]

@@harmoniseyou my periods had more or less stopped with age but as I went on HRT they said I needed to have the Mirena fitted

[@cheryllindberg1975]

RSD?

[@dazwischen5072]

So I’ve already said a lot here today😂. But I just wanted to say @Alex Partridge and @adhdchatter. This is really the best podcast out there about adhd! Thank you!! ❤❤❤