Women and girls with ADHD are often left feeling misunderstood and inadequately supported by health care. This comes as no surprise when research has historically almost exclusively been conducted on boys and men, leading to a lack of understanding around female specific ADHD challenges.
For the first time, this book from two experienced doctors and ADHD experts, connects the latest science on ADHD and the influence of sex hormones, to the everyday lives of women and girls with ADHD. Chapters provide vital knowledge on the ADHD brain and female sexual and reproductive development whilst also introducing five fictional women at different hormonal phases of their lives from puberty through to post-menopause to give insight into the lived experience of ADHD. Readers are also introduced to an 'ADHD 24/7 language' which provides a tailored approach to self-care for ADHD women and girls, allowing them to better advocate for themselves and enabling those supporting them to understand the challenges they face.
Exploring everything from ADHD and common cooccurring conditions like anxiety, eating disorders and PCOS, to hormonal treatments and contraception, this book moves us one step closer to a world where the health and wellbeing of women and girls is prioritised.
Lotta Borg Skoglund, allmänläkare och överläkare i psykiatri, lektor vid Uppsala universitet. Hon forskar inom neuropsykiatri och beroende och är grundare till SMART Psykiatri. Lotta är ofta anlitad som expert och debattör i tv och media och författare till Lyssnar din tonåring? (tillsammans med Liria Ortiz) och Adhd – från duktig flicka till utbränd kvinna. Lotta Borg Skoglund föreläser inom psykisk ohälsa och riskfyllda alkohol- och drogvanor, missbruk och neuropsykiatri, adhd/add.
Book Review: Female Hormones and ADHD: The Impact on Brain and Body By Lotta Borg Skoglund and Helena Kopp Kallner**
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
I recently picked up Female Hormones and ADHD: The Impact on Brain and Body by Lotta Borg Skoglund and Helena Kopp Kallner, and I found it to be a compelling read that shines a spotlight on an often overlooked area in ADHD research—the female experience. For too long, ADHD studies have predominantly focused on males, leaving women and girls with ADHD feeling misunderstood and underserved by healthcare systems. This book aims to close that gap by exploring how female hormones interact with ADHD symptoms throughout various stages of life.
The authors, both experienced doctors with expertise in ADHD, blend scientific research with practical insights. What I really appreciated was how the book uses fictional profiles of women at different hormonal stages—from puberty to post-menopause—to bring the science to life. These narratives help make complex medical information more relatable and easier to digest.
Additionally, the book introduces the idea of an “ADHD 24/7 language,” a tailored approach designed to help women with ADHD better understand their needs and advocate for themselves. It also addresses common co-occurring conditions like anxiety, eating disorders, and PCOS, and discusses hormonal treatments and contraception options.
While the book’s focus on advocacy and self-care is definitely a strength, I felt it sometimes leaned a bit too heavily on clinical explanations, which may feel dense for readers looking for a lighter or more conversational tone. Also, while the case studies were insightful, I wished there were more real-world examples or testimonials to complement the fictional ones.
Overall, Female Hormones and ADHD is an important contribution that raises awareness about the unique challenges faced by women and girls with ADHD. It’s informative and practical but might be best suited for readers who are comfortable navigating scientific content or healthcare professionals interested in this niche. It certainly moves the conversation forward on a vital topic, even if it doesn’t fully hit all the marks for a casual read.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Neuro divergent ladies listen up! Your prayers to be heard are being answered. We no longer have to endure further misunderstandings, or resign ourselves to muddle our way through the shadow of a male dominated research field to solve our ADHD puzzle.
Ever wondered at times, why despite taking your medications, that nothing is working? In fact, things are worse? You start to panic... did you even remember to take them? Did the pharmacist assign a bogus pack? Have you ever noticed this seems to happen more frequently as you get older.. around the time your body is under going a major transformation - puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause , post menopause?
This was me... I'm entering the world of perimenopause and noticed my PMS symptoms had intensified and became more consistent in recent years. My ADHD symptoms screamed louder than ever before and I was confused, lost and was beginning to accept it was just another hurdle to overcome as I entered this new phase of life.
Then this wonderful book twinkled!! It actually twinkled and I heard angels.. the clouds parted, revealing this book! This magnet of hope that lit up the light in my brain - BAZINGA! It's a symbol of hope, a catalyst for medical professionals and clinical researchers the world over to broaden their minds and dive deeper into the complexities that is female biology.. because men joke that we are complicated. Well they would say that when they're seemingly all 'figured out'
This book is PROOF that work is being done to understand and improve the lives of neurospicy women. We can collectively sigh a huge breath of relief
I'm a 42 year old female who always thought I had ADHD or now I'm leaning more towards AuDHD. My brother had it but the women in our family were overlooked.
I always dismissed my thoughts on having ADHD because I wasn't the messy, always late, forgets thing type (that's why I think I'm more aligned with AuDHD) but a lot of what was discussed in this book really makes sense. It also makes me so enraged for women.
So many women are receiving a later in life diagnosis and it's understandable. It's when we've made it through the trenches of work, marriage and children that we step back and think fuck this.
The author's explanations on it messing with hormones at all stages in life made so much sense too. Throughout the book there are case studies of women in varying ages and I can see qualities of myself in each of them from the 11 year old through to the post menopausal.
Even things like choosing relationships, eating habits and exercise habits now make so much sense.
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read an ARC of this book.
Thank you to Jessica Kingsley Publishers and NetGalley for an advanced copy to read and review before publishing.
As woman who wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until 44, I am always looking for books and resources to help me on my journey.
I appreciate the structurev of Female Hormones and ADHD as it is easy to navigate, especially if you are looking for a specific topic. This allowed me to delve deeper into topics that felt relevant and timely to me. The medical insight that Skoglund and Kallner give( as well as the anecdotal stories) provide an easy to follow roadmap for women looking to understand themselves, their ADHD diagnosis, and what they can do to empower themselves to feel more in control and "normal."
If you are drawn to this book, then I recommend you give it a chance. It is definitely one that has a lot of valuable information.
This book felt like a long-overdue exhale. As someone who's spent years feeling like ADHD research just wasn't written with me in mind, it was really refreshing to read something that actually connects the dots between hormones and ADHD across different life stages. The fictional case studies are a nice touch and make the science feel way less clinical. The "ADHD 24/7 language" concept is something I'll genuinely use going forward. It's not a cover-to-cover breezy read but more of a reference you'll keep coming back to. Really glad this exists.
Thanks to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for the ARC!
I’m a 31-year-old woman who only sought a diagnosis after really struggling since having my first child, which makes sense because - HORMONES! This book made me feel so seen.
So many of my ADHD symptoms went unnoticed as a child and young adult, and having access to a book like this as a teenager would have made such a difference in my life.
I’d genuinely recommend this to any woman with ADHD. Now, how do we get this book into the hands of medical professionals…
📣Attention! Females with ADHD 📣 This here is a must read 📣📣
We go through hormone fluctuations all through our lives - not just puberty, but pregnancy and post partum and then we are whacked with perimenopause and menopause. The shifts we face are already life altering and impact every moment of every day. Pair this with ADHD and we are on struggle street.
Instead of being upset that these kind of books are only coming out now, we should clap our hands together in celebration that are fortunate to be alive when books like this are published!
The contents are sorted logically (with summaries that really related to ADHDers👍) that explain what happens to our bodies and instead of just weathering the storms we can end up thriving. The self care tips are amazing and it was interesting to read the case studies as we are all so different with what effects us exactly. It was incredibly relatable. There are sections on sleep (it’s so important) medication info and exercises that help. It’s nice to see the reasons why certain triggers are there in our every day world.
My daughter has been diagnosed with ADHD and I know have the power to help her withstand all the trials of being female! You don’t know what you don’t know, and this book just explains it all 💪 I’ve also been flagged and on my own journey with ADHD.
I finished feeling empowered and armed with good strategies.