Although many women with ADHD report a premenstrual worsening of symptoms, not much research have been made on the subject. Studies show heterogenous results on the influence of sex hormones on cognitive functions across the menstrual cycle, but several studies show that sex hormones, especially estrogen, can interact with the neurotransmitter systems related to cognitive functions that are affected in ADHD. Therefore, it may be reasonable to believe that women with ADHD experience fluctuations in the severity of their ADHD-symptoms during the menstrual cycle.
This project is a pilot study that aims to investigate to what degree women with ADHD experience a premenstrual exacerbation of ADHD-symptoms, and whether this is related to a higher prevalence of symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in women with ADHD. Furthermore, this study aims to examine if there is a correlation between baseline hyperactivity/impulsivity or inattentiveness traits and the degree of symptom exacerbation.
The study will include up to 100 women with ADHD and 50 women without ADHD. Participants will be asked to fill out questionnaires related to ADHD symptom severity, symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and emotion in different menstrual phases during two consecutive menstrual cycles. Participants will also be asked to fill out a series of questionnaires at inclusion, e.g., related to stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep.