[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_heading title=”Women in St. George, UT Seek Therapy For ADHD” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]You’ve finally come to realize that you likely (or definitely) have ADHD. It took so long to get here because, well… women are radically under diagnosed with ADHD. And second, because you managed to cope and use your innate talents and quirkiness to get this far. But as you come to better understand your ADHD symptoms you’re baffled by spikes and peaks in your symptoms. You’ll have a week where you feel amazing. Followed by a week where a grey cloud hangs over your head. Then there are days when your ADHD medication and remedies don’t seem to work as well. What the heck
is going on?
If you’re a woman with ADHD, you may have noticed that your symptoms change throughout the month. Some days, you feel focused and energized. Other days, it feels impossible to concentrate or get anything done. Some months you ride that peak of enthusiasm and motivation to start big projects only to find, days later, you don’t have the bandwidth, energy or focus to complete it. Why is that? The answer might be in your hormones![/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://guidedwellnesscounselingut.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Therapy-in-St-George-UT-helps-ADHD-women-focus-scaled.jpg” alt=”kelsey-chance-BB4GbHiU1KY-unsplash – Copy (1)” title_text=”Therapy in St George UT helps ADHD women focus” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_heading title=”ADHD and Hormones – A New Conversation in Southern Utah” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Most ADHD research is based on studies of men. That means many therapists and doctors are working with information that doesn’t fully apply to women. So, when a woman comes in for ADHD therapy at our St. George, UT office, we have to do some detective work together! We need to figure out how ADHD shows up in your life and how your hormones play a role.
As you work with our therapists, you’ll start with a basic assessment of your ADHD. This may mean exploring questions such as:
- When did you first notice struggles with focus, organization, or motivation?
- How do your symptoms show up in work, school, or home life?
- Do you struggle with people-pleasing or overcommitting?
- Have you been told you’re “too sensitive” or “too emotional”?
- Do you feel like you experience more anxiety or depression than others?
- Do you struggle with rejection sensitivity (feeling hurt easily by criticism or feeling like you’re “not enough”)?
- Have you noticed that your focus, mood, or energy shifts during your menstrual cycle?
- Do ADHD symptoms feel worse in the two weeks before your period?
- Have symptoms changed as you’ve gotten older, especially in perimenopause or menopause?
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”/contact/” button_text=”SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”postButton” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#35736F” button_border_radius=”21px” custom_margin=”20px||20px||true|false” button_text_size_tablet=”14px” button_text_size_phone=”8px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_button][et_pb_heading title=”Can ADHD Be Affected By Hormones?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||10px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||10px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]
One of the most important hormones for women with ADHD is estrogen. Tracy Otsuka, author of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, explains it best:
“Estrogen increases the levels of the feel-good brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine, both of which can improve mood, concentration, motivation, the ability to sleep, and emotional regulation. Higher estrogen levels are also associated with increased cognitive and executive function and may even improve the efficacy of ADHD medication.”
In short—more estrogen = more focus, better mood, and better emotional balance. (But be aware, the answer to managing your ADHD throughout the month is not as simple as keeping your estrogen in a steady state. More on that in a moment…)
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://guidedwellnesscounselingut.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Therapy-in-St-George-UT-helps-women-cope-scaled.jpg” alt=”kelsey-chance-BB4GbHiU1KY-unsplash – Copy (1)” title_text=”Therapy in St George UT helps women cope” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_heading title=”The Problem: Estrogen Levels Aren’t Steady” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Here’s the tricky part: estrogen isn’t the same all the time. It rises and falls during
your cycle and throughout your life.
- During your cycle – Estrogen is highest in the first two weeks after your period; your estrogen begins to rise on the day you begin to bleed and peaks around day 14). Then estrogen drops in the two weeks before your next period; after ovulation (approx day 14 in a 28-day cycle) it begins to rapidly drop, with another dip again around day 22 or a 28-day cycle. Keep in mind that these days are estimates – your body is not a machine and cycles can fluctuate based on stress, age, lifestyle and overall health.
- During perimenopause and menopause – Estrogen levels drop a lot, and this can make ADHD symptoms much harder to manage. We know that as women age, the ovaries, which are the primary source of estrogen, gradually produce less of the hormone. During perimenopause, estrogen levels don’t just decline; they also fluctuate significantly, sometimes rising and falling drastically within a single cycle, which can cause unpredictable symptoms.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”/contact/” button_text=”CALL OUR OFFICE TO LEARN MORE” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”postButton” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#35736F” button_border_radius=”21px” custom_margin=”20px||20px||true|false” button_text_size_tablet=”14px” button_text_size_phone=”8px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]What does this mean for our Southern Utah clients with ADHD? In the days just before ovulation, when estrogen is high women with ADHD are more likely to experience high risk-taking and high reward behavior. This isn’t necessarily bad! Positive examples of high-risk or high-reward behavior can be feeling motivated to start that new business you’ve been dreaming up, asking for a promotion, signing up for the St. George Marathon, renovating the bathroom or booking a vacation for your family.
Just be sure that you don’t bite off more than you can chew during this phase of your cycle. When your estrogen levels drop, many women with ADHD notice:
- More brain fog and forgetfulness
- Increased anxiety or irritability
- Trouble focusing or completing tasks
- Feeling unmotivated or overwhelmed
- ADHD medication may not work as well
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If you feel like your ADHD symptoms change with your cycle or have gotten worse with age, you’re not imagining it! Here are a few ways to take care of yourself:
- Track your symptoms. Notice if your focus, mood, or energy change at certain times of the month. You can use an old fashioned all calendar or a newer menstrual tracking app – just use something that’s easy and accessible to you.
- Talk to a therapist who understands ADHD in women. ADHD therapy can help you manage these shifts. Be ready to collaborate with your therapist. As we mentioned in the beginning, understanding ADHD in women is a new field and your ADHD therapist is doing their best to keep up to date with new information and gaps in training.
- Check in with your doctor. If hormones are affecting you, there may be options to help. If you decide to have your hormones tested ask your doctor what day of your cycle you should get your blood drawn so you know what to expect from the results (e.g. low estrogen on day 25 of your cycle isn’t a red flag… but low estrogen on day 12 of your cycle might be).
- Support your brain with sleep, movement, and good nutrition. These can all help balance your hormones and ADHD symptoms. While many of us want a sophisticated solution, taking matters into your own hands with healthy food, daily movement and an early bed time can make a big difference.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://guidedwellnesscounselingut.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Therapy-in-St-George-UT-helps-women-reach-goals-scaled.jpg” alt=”kelsey-chance-BB4GbHiU1KY-unsplash – Copy (1)” title_text=”Therapy in St George UT helps women reach goals” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_heading title=”Therapy in St. George, UT Can Help Your ADHD Symptoms” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]
If you’re looking for an ADHD therapist in St. George, UT, you’re not alone. At Guided Wellness Counseling, we help women with ADHD understand their unique brains and build strategies that work. If you’re ready to feel more in control of your life, let’s talk.
All of our clients start with complimentary phone consultation. During this 15-minute call we’ll explore your reasons for considering therapy, your goals and what’s worked or not worked for you in the past. Then we’ll custom match you to a therapist on our team based on your unique needs and goals. After all your questions are answered we’ll get you scheduled at our St. George office or for telehealth sessions anywhere in the state of Utah.
Whether you were diagnosed with ADHD as a child or at 45 years old, there is always something new you can do to support yourself. And, you are deserving of that support! Click the button below to requisition your phone consultation today. It would be a pleasure to guide you towards wellness.
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