ADHD Drugs May Ease Perimenopause Executive Dysfunction
Early research suggests women in perimenopause may see better focus and working memory with these medications.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Alzheimer’s
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Would you ask your doctor about ADHD screening if you struggled with focus during perimenopause?
A systematic review presented at The Menopause Society's annual meeting in San Diego on October 20 to 24, 2025, found that ADHD medications may improve executive dysfunction in perimenopause. The findings are preliminary and drawn from only five studies, which is relevant to women in perimenopause and the clinicians who treat them.
Why it matters
Executive dysfunction, including trouble with focus, working memory and planning, is a common complaint during perimenopause and can be hard to treat with existing options. Researchers examined ADHD medications as a targeted approach to this symptom, a question that has received little study in this life stage.
The review pooled three randomized crossover trials and two cross-sectional observational studies, with lisdexamphetamine and atomoxetine showing significant improvements in executive function versus placebo. Because the evidence is preliminary and based on a small number of studies, the findings should be read as a direction for further research rather than settled practice.
The players
The Menopause Society
A professional society focused on midlife women's health, including the care of women through menopause and perimenopause.
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
A Memphis-based academic medical center whose researchers led the systematic review on ADHD medications and perimenopausal executive dysfunction.
The details
The researchers identified eligible studies through an extensive review of existing literature. Lisdexamphetamine appears to work by modulating catecholaminergic pathways, increasing glutamate levels and neural activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and right insula during working memory tasks. These brain changes were observed on neuroimaging, which helps explain the working-memory gains seen in the trials. The medications showed little effect on delayed recall or processing speed, so the benefit appears specific to certain aspects of executive function.
Timeline
October 20 to 24, 2025: The Menopause Society annual meeting in San Diego, where the systematic review was presented.
Health Landscape
ADHD medications are established treatments for attention disorders in adults, but their use for executive dysfunction during perimenopause has been largely unexplored. This review represents an early step toward testing whether a treatment developed for one condition can address a symptom that current options often leave unmet.
If you are in perimenopause and notice trouble with focus, working memory or planning, this review is worth knowing about as a topic to raise with your clinician. The evidence is preliminary, so it is best to discuss your symptoms and any treatment options with your doctor rather than making changes on your own.
The takeaway
Executive dysfunction during perimenopause is a real symptom that deserves attention. If it is affecting your daily life, bring it up with your physician, who can help you weigh the current evidence against your own health history.
Further reading
For broader context on memory and thinking changes across the adult years, explore our Alzheimer’s coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Psychiatry Advisor.
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Would you ask your doctor about ADHD screening if you struggled with focus during perimenopause?
