Let’s talk about the fire-breathing hormonal dragon in the room: menopause. Now toss in a spicy splash of ADHD, stir it into the already wild soup that is the modern workplace—and BAM—we’ve got ourselves a certified chaos casserole. But here’s the twist: we’re not unraveling—we’re unmasking. We’re burning the script, shedding the “shoulds,” and stepping into our era of main character energy. No more shrinking.
No more pretending we’re not spiraling while simultaneously managing five crises and remembering a random fact from 1997. Midlife ADHD isn’t a malfunction—it’s a freakin’ plot twist. And we’re finally writing it on our own terms.
I lived it. I survived it. And I’ve got the sweat-stained spreadsheets and forgotten Zoom calls to prove it.
As a post-menopausal woman who discovered her ADHD way too late (seriously, how was this not caught sooner?!), let me tell you: this combo platter is no joke. It’s like trying to do high-level calculus on a rollercoaster—while being heckled by your own brain.
But hey, that’s why I’m here. To break it down. To lighten it up. And to remind you that you’re not broken—you’re just neurodivergently fabulous with a dash of hormonal havoc. Let’s go.
The ADHD + Menopause Mind Mash
So here’s the deal: both ADHD and menopause do a number on your brain. Individually? Already a handful. Together? It’s giving “Why did I come into this room?” energy… every five minutes.
🧠 Cognitive WTFs:
“Brain fog that turns PowerPoint into PowerPfffft.
Focus? Never heard of her.
Working memory? LOL. What was I saying again?”
Oh right—ADHD and menopause both mess with executive function. That’s your brain’s ability to plan, organize, manage time, and generally act like a boss. Instead, you’re a human browser with 47 tabs open—three playing music—and no idea where that sound is coming from.
😵💫 Emotional Whiplash:
One minute: zen goddess. Next minute: crying because your smoothie was too cold.
Rage that simmers under the surface and then erupts when someone schedules “just a quick sync.”
Feeling everything. All at once. While trying to lead a presentation.
😴 Sleep Is Cancelled:
Menopausal insomnia + ADHD night owl vibes = a sleep-deprived squirrel running a startup.
🔥 Physical Mayhem:
- Hot flashes during board meetings.
- Night sweats that feel like you’ve been waterboarded.
- Fatigue that coffee can’t fix (and believe me, I’ve tried).
All of this = a perfect storm of underperformance, overwhelm, and overcompensation.
“Why Can’t I Just Keep It Together?”
You can. But first, let’s ditch the shame. If you’re feeling less productive, less confident, or like your brain has left the building—welcome to the club. You’re not lazy, flaky, or unprofessional. You’re managing a neurochemical mosh pit while trying to hold it together on Teams.
And the workplace? Not always built for this. Especially when society still treats menopause like a punchline and ADHD like a childhood-only phase.
And let’s get real: the older we get, the less “adorable” our ADHD becomes. Suddenly we’re not “quirky” anymore—we’re just difficult. (P.S. We are not difficult. We are brilliant with bad WiFi.)
Career Impacts: Not Just In Your Head
Here’s how this storm can hit your career:
- Decreased productivity (because…brain).
- Increased errors (hello, typos in that investor deck).
- Confidence drop (am I even good at my job?!).
- Missed promotions or leadership opportunities.
- Burnout. Absenteeism. Even job loss.
And the cherry on top? Ageism and sexism sliding into your Slack messages like: “Are you still planning to stay full-time?”
“YES, I AM. AND I’M STILL A BADASS.”
So What Can You Do About It?
You’re not doomed to wander the workplace in a fog forever. Here’s what helped me (and what might help you too):
💬 Open Up (Strategically)
You don’t have to overshare. But you can say:
“I’ve been noticing some shifts in my focus and memory lately. I’m working on it, but I’d really appreciate some flexibility as I sort things out.”
That’s honest and empowering. You’re not apologizing—you’re advocating.
🛠 Reasonable Accommodations FTW
- Flexible work hours
- Quiet workspaces or noise-canceling headphones
- Extended deadlines (you’re still delivering excellence, just on a human timeline)
- Written follow-ups & recorded meetings (your memory’s a diva, not a villain)
🔄 Lifestyle Upgrades (Yes, They Help)
- Regular movement (walking meetings, anyone?)
- Mindfulness or meditation (even 5 mins in your car before going inside)
- Actual sleep hygiene (I’m working on this, okay?)
- Balanced meals (ADHD nutrition = snacks that aren’t just crackers)
💊 HRT: Worth Asking About
Talk to your doc about Hormone Replacement Therapy. It’s not for everyone, but it can help reduce symptoms. Some women report improved focus, mood, and sleep. Just make sure you’re getting the full scoop—benefits, risks, and all.
🧠 ADHD-Specific Help
Medication. Therapy. Coaching. All tools, not crutches. You wouldn’t run a marathon without shoes. Don’t run your life without support.
Also: CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is a game-changer for managing the emotional rollercoaster.
🫂 Find Your People
Whether it’s a friend, therapist, or a badass online community (cough Right Meow cough), connection is key. You are NOT the only one going through this. And guess what? You don’t have to power through alone.
Let’s Wrap This Hot Flash Up
Menopause and ADHD in the workplace is not a vibe—unless the vibe is chaos and crying in the bathroom. But there’s light at the end of the estrogen-depleted tunnel.
The more we talk about this stuff, the more we normalize it. The more we demand better—from our workplaces, our systems, and yes, from ourselves (but with love, not pressure).
We’re not “past it.” We’re in it. And we’ve got work to do, brains to wrangle, and glass ceilings to shatter.
So don’t sweat it, babe—unless you’re in the middle of a hot flash.
💥 Resources That Don’t Suck:
- CHADD – ADHD Resources
- North American Menopause Society
- Right Meow – For Women Like Us
Need a place to laugh, learn, and not feel like you’re losing your marbles? That’s what Right Meow is for.
Stay Tuned for Part 2
And if you thought this was messy, just wait ‘til we talk executive dysfunction, sensory overload, and the laundry pile that’s judging me—coming in Part 2.
Catch you in the chaos,
Marie Davis
COO & Cofounder, Right Meow
A little sweaty, a lot wise.
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