Episode 172

Published September 29, 2026

Join us for this episode as Dr. Jolene Brighten and host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton discuss attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in women, how hormone levels impact ADHD in childhood and adulthood, and the many systems that estrogen helps regulate.

Dr. Brighten and Dr. Smeaton also cover:

• How ADHD in women is frequently missed until adulthood
• The role of estrogen in brain energy, immune function, and gut microbial diversity
• ADHD’s tendency to overlap with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
• The decline of estrogen during perimenopause and how it can cause ADHD-like symptoms to emerge or intensify
• Dr. Brighten’s hormone therapy considerations for patients with ADHD

Key Moments

0:48 Episode Introduction

3:41 The Impact of ADHD on Women

7:45 Understanding ADHD Diagnosis in Women

11:50 The Emotional Weight of ADHD

14:16 Diagnostic Criteria and Gender Bias

18:12 Recognizing Severe ADHD Symptoms

22:38 Hormonal Influences on ADHD

24:54 Perimenopause and ADHD Symptoms

31:01 DUTCH Direct

31:30 Hormone Therapy and ADHD

34:51 Metabolites and Their Effects

37:46 Root Cause Approach to ADHD

44:51 Hormone Patterns in Women with ADHD

51:41 Tools for Managing ADHD Symptoms

57:25 Key Health Areas for Women with ADHD

About our speaker

Dr. Jolene Brighten is a board certified naturopathic endocrinologist, clinical sexologist, and prominent leader in women’s medicine. A fierce patient advocate and completely dedicated to uncovering the root cause of hormonal imbalances, Dr. Brighten empowers women worldwide to take control of their health and their hormones. She is an international speaker, clinical educator, medical advisor within the tech community, and considered a leading authority on women’s health. Dr. Brighten is also part of the MindBodyGreen Collective and a faculty member for the American Academy of Anti Aging Medicine. Her work has been featured in the New York Post, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, Bustle, The Guardian, and ABC News.

Show Notes

Learn more about Dr. Jolene Brighten and follow her on Instagram @drjolenebrighten!

Check out Dr. Brighten’s book, ADHD and Women!

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