AI Summary
More women and girls are being diagnosed with ADHD than ever before, and one group in particular is showing up later than most: women in perimenopause. For many, the hormonal shifts of perimenopause seem to unmask traits that were previously kept in check by structure, routine and sheer willpower, leaving them wondering why their whole life suddenly feels harder to manage.
This article explains what the emerging research says about ADHD and perimenopause, why inattentive ADHD in women is so often missed or misread, and what steps to take if you recognise yourself in this description. We also cover how osteopathy fits into the picture, supporting the nervous system and body alongside the medical diagnosis and treatment pathway your GP can help arrange.
This blog is for women in Melbourne, particularly those approaching or in perimenopause, who suspect they may have undiagnosed ADHD, as well as anyone supporting a woman going through this experience. It is written to validate what you are feeling and point you towards the right next steps, including where osteopathy at South Yarra Osteopathy can genuinely help.
The ADHD Diagnosis Hiding in Plain Sight: Perimenopause in Women
In recent years, you have probably noticed more women and girls being diagnosed with ADHD. This is a good thing. Our diagnostic understanding is finally moving beyond the stereotypical disruptive schoolboy image. Women tend to be more likely to have an inattentive type of ADHD rather than hyperactive, sometimes described as a bit “off with the fairies”, but our understanding is improving quickly, and women with ADHD are less likely to be left behind as a result.
An Unexpected Pattern: ADHD Diagnosed in Perimenopause
An interesting pattern we have noticed is women being diagnosed with ADHD during perimenopause. Sometimes it happens because their children have been diagnosed and they recognise themselves in the diagnostic criteria. Other times, it is because they are struggling, not just with perimenopause, but with a feeling that their entire life has become unmanageable, and this can point to ADHD underneath it all.
Essentially, perimenopause can unmask ADHD traits that had previously been kept in check by structure, support and sheer willpower. It might feel like you are simply having a tougher time than other women going through perimenopause, but women with ADHD often find this stage of life particularly debilitating.
What Does the Research Say?
There is genuine research on this connection. A 2025 study found that women with ADHD have a higher prevalence of severe perimenopausal symptoms, and that these symptoms often present at an earlier age compared with women who do not have ADHD. It is a small but important step towards taking women’s experiences seriously in this space.
What to Do If This Sounds Like You
If reading this has you questioning whether you might have ADHD, know that this blog is here to highlight the issue and validate your experience, not to diagnose you. The best first step is to speak with your GP, who can refer you to a psychiatrist for a proper diagnosis. Above all, be compassionate with yourself, and focus on what feels right for your mind and body as you work through the process.
How Osteopathy Can Help
As for how osteopathy fits in, osteopaths are trained to look at the body holistically. We treat muscles, bones and connective tissue, but our treatment also works on the sympathetic nervous system. We use indirect techniques to help calm the fight or flight response and provide a reset for your system, all with the aim of helping you function more optimally through this transitional stage of life.
If you would like to learn more about the physical side of ADHD and how osteopathy can help, have a look at our other two blogs in this series, ADHD Isn’t Just in Your Head and Tight Jaw, Restless Body: How Osteopathy Helps You Manage ADHD, or book an appointment at South Yarra Osteopathy for individually tailored treatment.
Further Resources
Central sensitisation and nervous system regulation are useful terms to search if you would like to read further on this topic. We have also gathered some helpful external resources below:
The 2025 study mentioned above
ADD.org: ADHD and Perimenopause / Menopause
ADDitude Magazine: Kim Holderness on ADHD and Perimenopause
Cleveland Clinic: ADHD in Women
Melbourne ADHD Group for Women & Gender Diverse (Facebook)
Late Diagnosed Women with ADHD Support Group (Facebook)
Written by Indigo, Osteopath at South Yarra Osteopathy