12/29/2025
🧠🌸 Perimenopause & Neurodivergent Women: What’s the Connection?
For neurodivergent women, perimenopause can feel especially disruptive—and often confusing—because hormonal changes directly affect the brain.
Perimenopause is the hormonal transition (often starting in the late 30s–40s) when estrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate. These hormones don’t just regulate periods—they play a major role in brain function, mood, focus, and sensory processing.
💡 Why perimenopause can hit neurodivergent women harder:
🧠 Hormones & the Brain Estrogen supports:
• Dopamine (focus, motivation, executive function)
• Serotonin (mood stability)
• GABA (calm and stress regulation)
When estrogen fluctuates or declines, existing neurodivergent traits can intensify.
⚡ Common Worsening Symptoms Neurodivergent women may notice:
• Increased ADHD symptoms (brain fog, poor focus, forgetfulness)
• Emotional dysregulation or mood swings
• Heightened anxiety or panic
• Sensory overload (noise, lights, crowds)
• Increased burnout and fatigue
• Sleep disruption
• Feeling “less resilient” to stress
🔁 Loss of Coping Capacity Many women unknowingly relied on estrogen to help compensate for:
• Executive function challenges
• Emotional regulation
• Social masking
As hormones shift, the systems that once helped you cope may no longer work—leading many women to feel like they’re “falling apart,” when in reality, their biology is changing.
❗ Often Misdiagnosed As:
• Anxiety disorder
• Depression
• “Just stress”
• Aging
• Burnout
✨ The Truth Nothing is “wrong” with you. Your brain isn’t failing. Your hormones are changing.
When we understand the intersection of neurodivergence and perimenopause, we can:
✔️ Normalize the experience
✔️ Avoid mislabeling
✔️ Provide better support
✔️ Personalize care
💚 Awareness is power. Understanding your hormones can help you reclaim clarity, confidence, and compassion for yourself.
If this resonates—you’re not alone, and help exists.
