Podcast Summary
Women's hormones: Understanding the impact of women's hormones on mood and health and making lifestyle choices to support balance can lead to improved overall well-being.
Women's hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, significantly impact their mood and overall health, yet they are often overlooked or misunderstood. These hormones follow a cyclical pattern throughout the month and play crucial roles in various bodily functions, including cognitive function and mood balance. Unfortunately, common health practices, such as consistent aggressive fasting and certain diets, can negatively affect women's hormones. Additionally, the body prioritizes stress hormones cortisol and insulin over estrogen and progesterone, making it essential to maintain a balance of these hormones. Understanding the role of hormones and their impact on women's health can lead to making lifestyle choices that support an "ADHD-friendly" lifestyle, ultimately improving overall well-being.
Women's hormones and ADHD: Women's hormonal cycles significantly impact their cognitive function, mood, and ADHD symptoms. Estrogen boosts abilities, but drops can lead to mood swings, irritability, and decreased focus. Menopause also plays a role. Lack of research and awareness can result in late diagnoses and inadequate treatment.
Women's hormonal cycles significantly impact their cognitive function, mood, and ADHD symptoms. Estrogen, often referred to as the "yes hormone," boosts women's cognitive abilities and makes them feel more confident and capable. However, when estrogen levels drop during menstruation, women may experience mood swings, irritability, and decreased focus, which can be mistakenly attributed to their ADHD. The menopause, a distinct hormonal shift in women's lives, also plays a role in ADHD symptoms. Women's hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives, including during menopause, can make it challenging for them to manage their ADHD symptoms consistently. Furthermore, there is a lack of research and awareness regarding the gender bias in understanding and diagnosing ADHD in women, which can result in late diagnoses and inadequate treatment. It is essential to acknowledge the hormonal cycle's influence on women's ADHD symptoms and raise awareness of the unique challenges women face in managing their condition. This can help reduce the stigma surrounding women's experiences with ADHD and lead to more effective treatment and support.
Hormonal fluctuations and ADHD in women: Understanding hormonal fluctuations and their impact on ADHD traits in women can lead to significant improvements in managing symptoms and overall well-being through tracking cycles, adapting lifestyles, and seeking professional help when needed, especially for individualized hormone assessments
Understanding the connection between hormonal fluctuations and ADHD traits in women can lead to significant improvements in managing symptoms and overall well-being. By tracking hormonal cycles and adapting lifestyles accordingly, women can create an ADHD-friendly environment that supports their unique physiology. Progesterone, a hormone often overlooked, plays a crucial role in calming the nervous system and protecting nerve health. However, some women with ADHD may react differently to synthetic progestins, highlighting the importance of individualized hormone assessments. Lastly, many women tolerate feeling unwell for extended periods, unaware of potential hormone deficiencies. Encouraging women to prioritize their health and seek professional help when needed can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Hormonal management for women with ADHD: Starting the day with protein and checking in during the afternoon can help manage hormonal imbalances and prevent energy crashes for women with ADHD. Body-identical hormones may also benefit mental health, but individualized support is crucial.
There are natural ways to manage hormones for women with ADHD, beyond relying on medication. The discussion highlighted the importance of addressing hormonal imbalances related to adrenal function and blood sugar regulation. Starting the day with adequate protein intake can support both the adrenals and blood sugar levels, potentially preventing energy crashes. Additionally, taking a conscious check-in during the afternoon can help women become more aware of their feelings and prevent a crash. The conversation also touched upon the potential benefits of using body-identical hormones for women's mental health, emphasizing the importance of individualized support and a strong foundation of wellness.
Self-care and hormonal needs: Checking in with ourselves, staying hydrated, and organizing supplements can help manage ADHD and hormonal fluctuations. Open communication about hormonal needs and cycles can lead to greater understanding and support in relationships.
Self-care and understanding our body's needs are essential for managing ADHD and hormonal fluctuations. Simple practices like checking in with ourselves, staying hydrated, and organizing supplements can make a big difference. Hormonal cycles, particularly in women, can significantly impact ADHD symptoms, and open communication about hormonal needs and cycles can lead to greater understanding and support in relationships. Additionally, hormonal changes during puberty and menopause can further complicate ADHD management, highlighting the importance of ongoing self-care and awareness.
Hormonal impact on ADHD in women: Hormonal changes can significantly impact ADHD symptoms in women, leading to confusion, fear, and self-doubt. More research and dialogue are needed to help women better understand their experiences and seek appropriate support.
Women and girls experience unique challenges when it comes to understanding and managing ADHD due to the intersection of hormonal changes and societal expectations. The lack of knowledge and awareness around this issue can lead to feelings of confusion, fear, and self-doubt. The speaker's personal experience of being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and the impact of hormonal changes on her symptoms underscores the importance of education and open conversations around these topics. The speaker emphasizes the need for more research and dialogue to help women better understand their experiences and empower them to seek appropriate support. The lack of recognition of the link between hormones and ADHD is a significant injustice that needs to be addressed.
Women's hormones and healthcare: Women's unique hormonal needs are often overlooked in healthcare, with practices like fasting and restrictive diets potentially harmful. Evidence-based approaches and normalizing conversations can help promote understanding and better health outcomes.
Women's hormones play a significant role in their response to medication and overall health, yet this area is still under-researched and misunderstood. Women are often subjected to a "male model of healthcare" that may not suit their unique needs. Some common practices, such as fasting and restrictive diets, can be detrimental to women's hormonal balance. It's essential to consider evidence-based approaches specific to menstruating women before adopting new health practices. Additionally, environmental factors like toxins and substances can negatively impact hormonal balance. Normalizing conversations around women's cycles and supporting each other through different phases can help reduce shame and promote understanding. One practical step women can take is to download a free resource from the speaker's website, which includes a letter to share with healthcare providers explaining the role of hormones in ADHD and potential HRT options. Ultimately, women should advocate for their own health and well-being, and prioritize evidence-based, feminine models of healthcare.
Life-changing moments: Experiencing a life-changing moment can lead to a profound shift in perspective and ultimately, a decision to move on, inspiring growth and new opportunities
Experiencing a life-changing moment, whether it brings feelings of amazement and terror or a deep sense of knowing, can lead to a profound shift in perspective and ultimately, a decision to move on. Adele's story illustrates this perfectly. After her experience, she felt a mix of emotions but ultimately knew that it was time for her to make a change. This experience sent her into a hyper-focused state, giving her the clarity and confidence to make a decision and move forward. It's important to recognize that these moments, no matter how scary or uncertain they may seem, can be truly inspiring and lead to growth and new opportunities.