Have you ever wondered if your increasing brain fog, emotional swings, or memory struggles are down to ADHD, perimenopause, or both?
When sex hormones fluctuate in midlife, the impact on neurodivergent brains can feel like a sudden, overwhelming loss of control. Yet, because of a lack of female-focused research and short appointment times, women are frequently passed between specialists without anyone connecting the dots between their brain health, hormones, and mental well-being
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Helen Wall — NHS GP partner, BMS-registered menopause specialist, BBC Breakfast resident doctor, and bestselling author of Menopause and ADHD. Together, we unpack the neurobiology behind estrogen and brain chemical messengers, how to advocate for yourself at the GP, and why treating midlife neurodivergence requires a compassionate, personalized approach.
In this episode, we cover:
- The chemical connection between fluctuating estrogen and key brain messengers like dopamine and serotonin
- Why neurodivergent women often experience perimenopause symptoms earlier than their neurotypical peers
- How to prepare for a 10-minute NHS GP consultation and ask for an ADHD assessment or hormonal support
- Key blood tests to ask your doctor about (including ferritin, vitamin D, and thyroid function) to optimize brain function
- The nuance behind antidepressant use, PMDD, and paradoxical reactions to micronized progesterone
- Reframing midlife unmasking: moving from perfectionism and “flogging yourself” to self-compassion and boundaries
- Turning rejection sensitivity into justice sensitivity to advocate for systemic change in women’s healthcare
Key reminder:
Listen to your gut — it’s not you, it’s the system. You know your own body and mind, and you deserve to advocate for yourself without feeling like you are an inconvenience or imagining your symptoms.
About Dr Helen Wall:
Dr Helen Wall is a GP partner, BMS registered menopause specialist, resident doctor for BBC Breakfast, TV broadcaster, and author of Menopause and ADHD. She specializes in the intersection between female hormones and brain health, helping women navigate hormonal changes, neurodiversity, and midlife health with practical, evidence-based guidance.
Connect with Dr Helen Wall:
Website: www.drhelenwall.com
Book: Menopause and ADHD (Available in print and Audiobook)
Documentary: Dismissed: Menopause the Scandal on ITVX
Resources & Links:
✨ Join my free Nervous System Reset to help you move from overwhelm to calm (without having to sit still!): www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/reset
✨ Burn Bright Group Coaching: A semi-private, 6-space group coaching program starting in January for ambitious ADHD women looking to build sustainable habits without burnout: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright
If this episode resonated, please follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with a woman in midlife who needs to know she isn’t alone.
