ADHD and PCOS: Understanding the Hidden Link
- Rebecca Branham
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
If you’ve been diagnosed with both ADHD and PCOS, you’re not alone—and no, you’re not imagining that they feel strangely connected.
While ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) are two distinct conditions, growing research and real-life experience suggest there’s a lot of overlap in symptoms, challenges, and underlying causes.
Let’s unpack what we know, what we don’t, and how you can start taking care of both your brain and your body, without burning out trying to “fix” everything at once.
July 2025, Rebecca Branham, ADHD Coach @ Agave Health
First, a Quick Breakdown
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects 1 in 10 people assigned female at birth. It often shows up as irregular periods, ovarian cysts, high levels of androgens (like testosterone), insulin resistance, weight fluctuations, acne, and fertility issues.
ADHD, on the other hand, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects focus, impulsivity, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. It’s underdiagnosed in women and often misunderstood because it doesn’t always show up as “hyperactive.”
But here’s where it gets interesting…
Emerging Research: ADHD + PCOS
While science is still catching up, multiple studies have started to explore the link between ADHD and PCOS. Here's what they’re finding:
A 2021 study in Frontiers in Psychiatry showed that people with PCOS have a higher rate of ADHD symptoms than the general population.
Both conditions involve dopamine and insulin regulation—meaning that blood sugar crashes, energy swings, and mood shifts may be affecting both your hormones and your attention.
PCOS can impact estrogen and progesterone, both of which influence ADHD symptoms. Hormonal imbalances often intensify ADHD symptoms around menstruation, postpartum, and perimenopause.
So when people say “just manage your time better” or “just lose weight and your symptoms will improve,” it’s not just unhelpful—it’s dismissive of the complex reality we’re dealing with.
Shared Symptoms (and Why It’s So Easy to Miss)
Many symptoms of PCOS and ADHD overlap, which can make it harder to diagnose and treat either one properly:
Chronic fatigue and brain fog
Trouble with motivation and follow-through
Mood swings and irritability
Insulin resistance (which can tank energy levels)
Irregular eating and sleep habits
Low self-esteem from years of medical gaslighting
What often happens: PCOS gets diagnosed, and ADHD gets missed—or vice versa. Or worse, both are dismissed as anxiety or “poor lifestyle habits.”
So What Can You Do About It?
You can’t “cure” either condition—but you can absolutely support your body and brain in feeling better, one layer at a time.
1. Regulate Blood Sugar
Both PCOS and ADHD are sensitive to blood sugar crashes. Start with steady meals and snacks that include protein, fiber, and fat.
🧠 Tip: Try not to skip meals. Even a boiled egg and a slice of toast is better than nothing.
2. Track Hormonal Patterns
If you menstruate, your ADHD symptoms may fluctuate based on your cycle. Keeping a symptom tracker can help identify patterns and prepare for days when executive function might dip.
🧠 Tip: The Me v PMDD app or Clue are ADHD-friendly tools that can help.
🔻 What NOT to do: Don’t expect yourself to “power through” the low-energy phases—plan around them instead.
3. Advocate for Yourself in the Doctor’s Office
Bring notes. Ask about hormonal testing if you’ve never had it. Share your full picture—ADHD symptoms, mood shifts, menstrual patterns, energy levels.
🧠 Tip: If a provider brushes you off, you are allowed to find a new one. You’re not “too sensitive.” You deserve care that listens.
🔗 PCOS Awareness Association has a list of questions to ask your provider.
4. Support Mental Health Holistically
Both ADHD and PCOS can impact emotional regulation, self-worth, and anxiety. Therapy, coaching, or support groups can help you untangle the mental load.
Agave Health offers ADHD-informed coaching that helps you make practical, manageable changes—without shame.
🔻 What NOT to do: Don’t try to “fix” everything at once. It’s okay to pick one thing—like improving sleep or eating regular meals—and start there.
5. Understand That It’s Not Your Fault
Neither ADHD nor PCOS is something you caused. These are chronic, systemic conditions with real impacts on your daily life. The sooner we drop the shame, the sooner we can start building strategies that work for us.
Final Thoughts (and Resources That Help)
Living with both ADHD and PCOS can feel overwhelming. But understanding the connection between the two can empower you to approach both with more compassion, clarity, and realistic strategies.
📚 Helpful Resources:
If you’re navigating both ADHD and PCOS and need help sorting out what’s yours to carry—and what needs to be offloaded—our team at Agave Health is here.
Let’s make sense of the chaos, together.
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