Menopause, Estrogen, Cortisol, and ADHD: A Perfect Storm That Cost Me My Job

The Hormonal Tsunami I Never Saw Coming

For years, I had successfully managed my ADHD. Sure, it had its challenges—keeping track of deadlines, staying organized, and resisting the siren call of hyperfocus on the wrong tasks. But I had built systems, learned strategies, and even found success in a high-pressure job that required quick thinking and adaptability.
Then, menopause hit.

I had always heard about hot flashes and mood swings, but no one told me about memory loss, brain fog, and the absolute chaos it would unleash on my executive function—the very skills that helped me manage my ADHD. I was no longer just forgetful; I was drowning in a sea of lost thoughts, unfinished tasks, and self-doubt.

The Role of Estrogen in Cognitive Function

Estrogen is more than just a reproductive hormone—it’s a key player in brain function. It supports neurotransmitters like dopamine and acetylcholine, which are essential for:

• Memory and learning
• Focus and attention
• Mood regulation
• Neural plasticity (your brain’s ability to adapt and change)

For women with ADHD, estrogen is like a cognitive amplifier. It helps regulate dopamine—the very neurotransmitter that ADHD brains struggle with. When estrogen levels plummet during menopause, dopamine function weakens, and ADHD symptoms can worsen dramatically.

Suddenly, my ADHD meds weren’t working the same way. My memory felt shattered. My focus? Gone. My ability to process information quickly? Sluggish, at best.

High Cortisol: The Hidden Culprit Behind My Brain Fog

As if the drop in estrogen wasn’t bad enough, menopause also triggered a surge in cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone.

Cortisol, when chronically elevated, has been linked to:

• Memory loss and cognitive decline
• Increased anxiety and depression
• Sleep disturbances
• Brain shrinkage, particularly in the hippocampus (the brain’s memory center)

And what does ADHD thrive on? Routine, predictability, and dopamine regulation. What does high cortisol do? Destroys all of the above.

I was waking up exhausted, unable to focus, and feeling like I was losing my mind. And worst of all, I couldn’t explain what was happening in a way that made sense to my employer.

The Workplace Becomes Hostile

I had been a high performer for years. But now, things were slipping through the cracks. I needed more reminders, more time to process information, and more grace to adjust to this new version of my brain.

Instead of support, I got scrutiny.

Instead of empathy, I got micromanagement.

The workplace became a hostile battlefield where every forgotten detail was seen as laziness, every late response as incompetence. I started hearing comments like:

• "You used to be so sharp—what happened?"
• "Maybe this job isn’t a good fit for you anymore."
• "You need to try harder to keep up."

I was trying. Harder than ever. But the harder I pushed, the worse it got.

The stress and shame became unbearable. My confidence eroded. And eventually, I was let go.

The Unspoken Struggles of Women in Menopause at Work

I am not alone in this experience. Millions of women in perimenopause and menopause face workplace discrimination—not because they aren’t capable, but because employers don’t understand the profound impact of hormonal changes on cognition.

Menopause is still taboo in professional settings. ADHD in women is still misunderstood. And the combination? Almost invisible.

How many women have been labeled as "losing it" or "not what they used to be" when, in reality, their brains were fighting against them?

What Helped Me Regain Control

It took time, research, and a lot of self-compassion, but here’s what I learned that helped me start reclaiming my focus and memory:

1. HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy)

After consulting with a doctor who actually understood the neurological effects of menopause, I started bioidentical estrogen therapy. Within weeks, my brain fog started lifting. It wasn’t perfect, but the difference was noticeable.

2. Managing Cortisol with Mindfulness & Adaptogens

• Meditation, yoga, and breathwork helped regulate my stress response.
• Adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha and Rhodiola helped balance cortisol.
• I cut out caffeine after 2 PM to prevent cortisol spikes interfering with sleep.

3. Adjusting My ADHD Medication & Lifestyle

I worked with my doctor to adjust my ADHD meds, shifting when and how I took them based on my new hormonal fluctuations. I also incorporated:

• High-protein, low-sugar meals to stabilize blood sugar and brain function.
• Omega-3 supplements for cognitive support.
• Resistance training (even just bodyweight exercises) to help regulate dopamine.

4. Prioritizing Sleep

Poor sleep makes memory loss and ADHD symptoms worse. I focused on:

• A strict sleep routine (no screens an hour before bed).
• Magnesium and melatonin supplements.
• Cooling down my room to combat menopause-related night sweats.

5. Seeking a Supportive Work Environment

I realized that staying in a toxic workplace was never going to help my healing. I needed an environment that valued experience over age, adaptability over rigidity, and women’s health over stigma.

A Call for Change: We Need More Awareness and Support

• Menopause and ADHD need to be recognized as real, workplace-impacting conditions.
• HR policies should include menopause accommodations.
• Women shouldn’t have to choose between their health and their careers.

If you’re experiencing this too, please know—you are NOT alone. You are not lazy, incompetent, or losing it. You are navigating an incredibly challenging neurochemical shift, and you deserve support, not shame.

To Those Struggling: You Are Still You

I’m still healing. Some days, I still struggle. But I am learning to work with my body, not against it. I am redefining success on my own terms—one where my worth isn’t based on productivity alone.

If my story resonates with you, share it. Talk about it. Demand change. Because no woman should have to suffer in silence.

💬 Have you faced workplace struggles due to menopause, ADHD, or brain fog? Share your story in the comments. Let’s start this conversation. 💬

Resources That Helped Me

📖 Books:

• The XX Brain by Lisa Mosconi, PhD
• ADHD 2.0 by Dr. Edward Hallowell & Dr. John Ratey

🎧 Podcasts:

• The ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast
• The Mind Over Menopause Podcast

🌱 Supplements That Helped Me:

• Magnesium Glycinate (for sleep)
• Omega-3 (for brain function)
• Ashwagandha (for cortisol balance)

Final Thought

If this sounds like your story, I see you. I believe you. And together, we can demand better.

🔥 Let’s stop normalizing suffering in silence. 🔥

About the Author

Karin Collinsworth is a Public Health advocate, Diabetes Complication Prevention Coach, R_EYT Certified Yoga Therapist, and Nutritionist. She is passionate about educating others on environmental health, detoxification, and metabolic wellness.

🌱 Learn more: Linktree.com/Karin_C