Is It Perimenopause, ADHD, or Am I Just Going Nuts?

Published on 1 November 2024 at 15:22
A person standing near the ocean with long dark hair blown across their face by the wind, wearing a white jumper

I’m about to turn 40 in 2 weeks, and I thought I had at least a few more years before I needed to worry about the “M” word—menopause. But the last few years, things have felt a little...off. My energy is all over the place, my emotions are unpredictable (more so than usual), and my brain seems more foggy than usual.

It’s confusing enough trying to figure out if this is my ADHD acting up, perimenopause sneaking in, or if I’m just losing it altogether, hopefully not the latter.

 

Diagnosed with ADHD in My Late 30s: Just in Time for Perimenopause?

I was only recently diagnosed with ADHD—at 37 or maybe 38 (honestly, I can’t remember!). Finally putting a name to what I’ve been experiencing my entire life brought a sense of relief. I had answers for why my mind seemed to work the way it did—why staying organised felt like a herculean task and why my emotions sometimes took me on wild rides.

But just as I started to wrap my head around managing ADHD, something else started creeping in. Suddenly, my energy was on a rollercoaster, I was dealing with mood swings that felt way more intense than what I’d ever experienced, and my body was going through changes I didn’t expect—irregular periods, shorter periods (not that I am complaining!) disrupted sleep, itchy skin at night, joint pain, fatigue; mental and physical, and a weird sensitivity to temperature.

Could this be perimenopause? Or is my ADHD shifting as I get older?

 

"You’re Too Young for Perimenopause"

When I went to the doctor, trying to make sense of it all, I was told the usual: “You’re too young to be experiencing perimenopause.” But is 39 really that young? I went as far as getting blood work done privately, just to confirm I wasn’t going nuts! Although, these did not change the doctor’s opinion, even though they did show a significant from in certain hormones.

While the average age for perimenopause is in your mid-40s, it can start as early as your mid-30s. Turns out, I’m not the only one who’s gone to the doctor in their 30s thinking they were just stressed out or burnt out, only to discover the start of perimenopause was at play.

But here’s where things get tricky: the symptoms of perimenopause and ADHD overlap a lot. Brain fog, mood swings, trouble focusing, fatigue—it’s like the perfect storm of confusion.

 

The ADHD-Perimenopause Mashup

Since ADHD affects how the brain manages tasks, emotions, and focus, adding fluctuating hormones to the mix doesn’t exactly help. Estrogen, in particular, plays a role in regulating brain function, and during perimenopause, those levels start to drop. This can make ADHD symptoms worse, making it harder to manage day-to-day life.

The constant cycle of second-guessing: Is this ADHD? Is this perimenopause? has become a frequent mental loop for me. Some days, I can’t tell if my inability to concentrate is just my ADHD or if it’s being amplified by shifting hormones.

 

Navigating the Unknown

I’m still figuring it out, honestly. It’s a learning process trying to balance ADHD management with what is the early stages of perimenopause. I’ve started tracking my symptoms (though, let’s be real—this is easier said than done with ADHD), and I’m pushing my doctors to take my concerns seriously, even if I’m “too young” in their books.

If you’re out there feeling like you’re in the same boat—trying to figure out if it’s ADHD, perimenopause, or just life in general, you’re not alone. It’s confusing, it’s frustrating, but it’s also part of the journey. Trust your body’s signals and don’t let anyone tell you that you’re too young to be experiencing something that feels very real.

 

Also, I’m in the process of writing a book about this…. In the middle of going through it all. Watch this space and comment below if you are also feeling a little ‘nuts’ at the moment.

 

 

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