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Questions for an OB/GYN if on ADHD Medications

Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can affect adults as well as children. The symptoms can include poor task management, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and lack of focus. The condition is hereditary; some women with ADHD may not realize they have the disorder until their children are diagnosed and they recognize some of the same symptoms in themselves. Before taking ADHD medications, women may want to ask their OB/GYN about any side effects and the impact these medications could have on their reproductive health.

  1. Will Taking ADHD Medications Improve or Worsen PMS Symptons?

    • Because a woman's menstrual cycle can cause emotional distress due to changing hormone levels, women with ADHD may experience premenstrual syndrome more intensely than women without it. If you notice that you have feelings of anxiety and depression right before your cycle, your OB/GYN may prescribe a low dose of anti-anxiety or antidepressant medication. Taking ADHD medications a day or two before your period, or slightly increasing your regular dosage, may help you get relief from experiencing emotional highs and lows. Some OB/GYNs prescribe oral contraceptives for women with ADHD to minimize their hormonal fluctuations.

    Will ADHD Medications Affect My Unborn Baby?

    • Pregnancy naturally causes hormone levels to change in an expectant mother, and during the first few months, women with ADHD may experience anxiety, fatigue and mood swings. As the pregnancy progresses, you may feel better as your estrogen level rises. Your OB/GYN can help you determine how to best treat the ADHD during your pregnancy and if it is safe for you to continue ADHD medications. The doctor can reevaluate your medication regimen to make sure that the stimulants and/or antidepressants prescribed are not harmful to the fetus. Your doctor will also direct you as what is safe to take while breastfeeding, so that your baby will not become addicted to the medication.

    How Will ADHD Medications Affect Menopause?

    • By the time a woman hits menopause, her estrogen levels have dropped around 65 percent and women with ADHD going through perimenopause may experience more pronounced symptoms. If you are experiencing irritability, memory lapses, moodiness, or fuzzy-thinking, you may want to ask your OB/GYN about ADHD medications and if they can help ease these symptoms for you. Depending on if you are still having a monthly cycle, your doctor may suggest that you take oral contraceptives to help stabilize your hormone levels and increase brain function. For women with ADHD that are no longer having periods, the doctor may prescribe hormone-replacement therapy to be combined with ADHD medications to improve symptoms of menopause.

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