The Christina Crowe Podcast: Making the invisible VISIBLE

E86: ADHD in Women: New Research on Perimenopause, Menopause & Beyond with Dr. Dora Wynchank

Feb 10, 2025

Join Dr. Dora Wynchank, a psychiatrist specializing in ADHD at PsyQ, as she sheds light on the often-overlooked challenges women face with ADHD during perimenopause and menopause. She discusses flexible medication dosing and the unique impact of hormonal changes on ADHD symptoms. Learn about the importance of thorough assessments and innovations like light therapy for managing symptoms. Dr. Wynchank also highlights the risks of untreated ADHD in older adults and urges for better support within the medical community.

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INSIGHT

ADHD Symptoms Worsen in Menopause

Women with ADHD often have worse PMDD, which worsens with perimenopause and menopause.
Their ADHD symptoms can become chronic and irregular in timing around menopause, requiring medication dosage adjustments.

ADVICE

Use DIVA for Adult ADHD Evaluation

Use the DIVA assessment to evaluate ADHD in adults, including women, with its DSM-5 criteria and real-life examples.
Seek training and resources like ADHD Power Bank videos to administer it effectively and sensitively.

ADVICE

Light Therapy Benefits ADHD

Use light therapy to reset circadian rhythm and improve ADHD symptoms, especially for winter depression.
Morning use of blue frequency light glasses can improve biological clock and reduce ADHD symptoms significantly.

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ADHD in women has been overlooked for far too long—but new research is changing the conversation.

Today, we sit down with Dr. Dora Wynchank from PsyQ in The Hague to explore groundbreaking findings on how ADHD evolves across a woman’s lifespan—especially during perimenopause and menopause.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why flexible psychostimulant dosing is crucial for women with ADHD,
The importance of thorough assessments for girls and women in the diagnostic process,
How Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) uniquely impacts people with ADHD,
The consequences of untreated ADHD in older adults (50+),
Current research initiatives shaping the future of ADHD care for women,

If you or someone you love is navigating ADHD in midlife or beyond, this episode is packed with insights, validation, and actionable strategies.

🎧 Tune in now for a deep dive into the latest science on ADHD in women!

Resources forAfter the Show:

The DIVA Foundation and assessment scales,
Take part in the ADHD in Women research survey!
The Light Therapy Glasses!
The OG: The ADHD Resource Hub, especially ADHD in Girls & Women.

NEW: Stick around after the show for the Katie and Christina debrief!

About our guest: Dora Wynchank, MBChB, MMed, FCPsych, Ph.D. works as a psychiatrist at the Intensive Specialist Program for ADHD and as a researcher at the Expertise Centre, ADHD, The Hague. Dr. Wynchank is currently working in the field of Adult ADHD at a psychiatric clinic called PsyQ and is a proud member of ADHD Europe.

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Find Christina (CRPO #3908): Website | Find a Therapist | Get Assessed by an NP in Ontario | Instagram | TikTok

A gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina nor Katie are your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our Resources page on our website.