Estrogen-Dopamine Connection in ADHD

Two girls outdoors fit oversized puzzle pieces together, forming a colorful human head silhouette—an uplifting scene symbolizing women’s health against a sunny, grassy landscape with blue skies and scattered clouds.

Nadia Sirdar, M.D., MPH Bethesda Modern Primary Care May is Mental Health Awareness Month. I want to share something that rarely gets identified correctly in a standard care visit: ADHD that unmasks during perimenopause. Estrogen directly supports dopamine activity in the brain. As estrogen drops during perimenopause, the brain that has been quietly managing ADHD…

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The View From The Exam Room

A woman with long dark hair sits cross-legged, eyes closed, meditating among yellow and orange flowers and green leaves—a serene moment that embodies women’s health—surrounded by a soft, light background.

Harita Raja, M.D. Bethesda Women’s Mental Health In my practice, I’m seeing more women who don’t “look” like they’re struggling because by most external measures, they’re not. They’re working efficiently, caregiving with a smile, and showing up for their children. Underneath that, though, there’s a steady hum of anxiety, poor sleep, irritability and/or physical symptoms that…

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Successful Mentorship Programs: Built on Mutual Dedication

By Deborah Dagg & Michele Hayward Just like any successful Olympic relay team, mentoring successful leaders requires dedication, collaboration, communication, and teamwork. The journey begins with establishing a meaningful and rewarding mentor/mentee relationship. It is crucial for the mentees to have a clear understanding of their career goals and to identify the type of mentor…

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