2016-25: Impact of Hormonal Fluctuations on ADHD Symptom Severity in Women: Bridging the Knowledge Gap to Improve Mental Health Outcomes

The relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom severity and hormonal fluctuations (during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy/postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause) in women remains underexplored. ADHD-women are disproportionately affected by hormonal fluctuations, intensifying ADHD symptoms and increasing vulnerability for mood disorders and suicide. Understanding this relationship is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Presenter:  Brynne Calleran, MSN, MFA, RN, PMH-BC, NE-BC, NI-BC

Disclosures:  The APNA planners and faculty have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Off-label uses will not be discussed during this presentation.

Session Length:  45 minutes

Target Audience:  RN, APRN

Learning Outcome:
Upon completion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

• Identify at least two stages of the reproductive life cycle when women with ADHD are likely to experience intensified symptoms.

Key Takeaway(s): 

• ADHD is a lifelong disorder and, among women, ADHD symptoms often grow more pronounced with age.
• Understanding the impact of hormonal fluctuations on ADHD symptoms in women is critical for treatment planning, patient education, and stigma reduction.

Keywords:  ADHD, Women, Postpartum

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
0.75 contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: Listen to the entire presentation, complete the reflection activity, evaluation, and honor statement before the expiration date. Once all steps are successfully completed, a certificate will be generated online and available for you to print immediately. Contact hours cannot be awarded unless all required components are completed. 

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Release Date:  December 1, 2025
Access to this course will end:  December 1, 2028

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