TY - JOUR
T1 - Research advances and future directions in female ADHD
T2 - the lifelong interplay of hormonal fluctuations with mood, cognition, and disease
AU - Kooij, J. J.Sandra
AU - de Jong, Maxime
AU - Agnew-Blais, Jessica
AU - Amoretti, Silvia
AU - Bang Madsen, Kathrine
AU - Barclay, Isabella
AU - Bölte, Sven
AU - Borg Skoglund, Charlotte
AU - Broughton, Thomas
AU - Carucci, Sara
AU - van Dijken, Dorenda K.E.
AU - Ernst, Julia
AU - French, Blandine
AU - Frick, Matilda A.
AU - Galera, Cédric
AU - Groenman, Annabeth P.
AU - Kopp Kallner, Helena
AU - Kerner auch Koerner, Julia
AU - Kittel-Schneider, Sarah
AU - Manor, Iris
AU - Martin, Joanna
AU - Matera, Emilia
AU - Parlatini, Valeria
AU - Philipsen, Alexandra
AU - Ramos-Quiroga, Josep Anthoni
AU - Rapoport, Iris L.
AU - Remnélius, Karl Lundin
AU - Sénéquier, Amandine
AU - Thorell, Lisa
AU - Wittekoek, Janneke M.E.
AU - Wynchank, Dora
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
2025 Kooij, de Jong, Agnew-Blais, Amoretti, Bang Madsen, Barclay, Bölte, Borg Skoglund, Broughton, Carucci, van Dijken, Ernst, French, Frick, Galera, Groenman, Kopp Kallner, Kerner auch Koerner, Kittel-Schneider, Manor, Martin, Matera, Parlatini, Philipsen, Ramos-Quiroga, Rapoport, Remnélius, Sénéquier, Thorell, Wittekoek and Wynchank.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - Introduction: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in girls and women is under-recognised and under-researched, despite increasing awareness of clinical challenges and unmet needs. This review by the Eunethydis Special Interest Group on Female ADHD, addresses current knowledge and identifies research gaps for future work. Issues in women with ADHD across the lifespan such as late diagnosis, pubertal development, sexual health, hormonal birth control, executive function difficulties, and gynaecological disorders associated with ADHD are highlighted.Methods: The review synthesises existing literature and self-reported experiences of women with ADHD to explore the impact of hormonal fluctuations [puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, (peri)menopause] on ADHD symptoms and mood disturbances. It examines the interplay of oestrogen and progesterone with dopaminergic pathways, when periods of lower oestrogen may affect cognition, as well as the manifestation of executive function deficits, and the intersection of ADHD with reproductive health.Results: Hormonal transitions exacerbate ADHD symptoms and mood disturbances, yet pharmacological research and tailored treatments are lacking. Executive function deficits manifest differently in girls and women with ADHD and are influenced by neuropsychological and neurobiological profiles. Diagnostic practices and sociocultural factors contribute to delayed diagnoses, increasing the risk of comorbidities, impaired functioning, and diminished quality of life. Undiagnosed women have increased vulnerability to premenstrual dysphoric disorder, postpartum depression, and cardiovascular disease during perimenopause.Discussion: Longitudinal, sex-specific studies incorporating hormonal status and lived experience are needed. Individualised interventions should be developed to address the unique needs of girls and women with ADHD. Addressing these gaps will advance more equitable diagnosis, management, and support for girls and women with ADHD, improving outcomes across the female lifespan.
AB - Introduction: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in girls and women is under-recognised and under-researched, despite increasing awareness of clinical challenges and unmet needs. This review by the Eunethydis Special Interest Group on Female ADHD, addresses current knowledge and identifies research gaps for future work. Issues in women with ADHD across the lifespan such as late diagnosis, pubertal development, sexual health, hormonal birth control, executive function difficulties, and gynaecological disorders associated with ADHD are highlighted.Methods: The review synthesises existing literature and self-reported experiences of women with ADHD to explore the impact of hormonal fluctuations [puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, (peri)menopause] on ADHD symptoms and mood disturbances. It examines the interplay of oestrogen and progesterone with dopaminergic pathways, when periods of lower oestrogen may affect cognition, as well as the manifestation of executive function deficits, and the intersection of ADHD with reproductive health.Results: Hormonal transitions exacerbate ADHD symptoms and mood disturbances, yet pharmacological research and tailored treatments are lacking. Executive function deficits manifest differently in girls and women with ADHD and are influenced by neuropsychological and neurobiological profiles. Diagnostic practices and sociocultural factors contribute to delayed diagnoses, increasing the risk of comorbidities, impaired functioning, and diminished quality of life. Undiagnosed women have increased vulnerability to premenstrual dysphoric disorder, postpartum depression, and cardiovascular disease during perimenopause.Discussion: Longitudinal, sex-specific studies incorporating hormonal status and lived experience are needed. Individualised interventions should be developed to address the unique needs of girls and women with ADHD. Addressing these gaps will advance more equitable diagnosis, management, and support for girls and women with ADHD, improving outcomes across the female lifespan.
KW - ADHD
KW - consensus
KW - female
KW - lifespan
KW - menstrual cycle
KW - self-reported needs
KW - sex hormones
KW - sex specific
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105011357661
U2 - 10.3389/fgwh.2025.1613628
DO - 10.3389/fgwh.2025.1613628
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:105011357661
SN - 2673-5059
VL - 6
JO - Frontiers in global women's health
JF - Frontiers in global women's health
M1 - 1613628
ER -