Those of you who menstruate: Do you plan your tasks in synch with your cycle?

We’ve been aware for a while now that ADHD in women is associated with higher sensitivities to hormonal changes which can result in PMDD, worsened ADHD symptoms or reduced efficiency of ADHD medication (for a while meaning – since 2017 I believe?? Correct me if I’m wrong).

Just generally though our bodies and brains change throughout the menstrual cycle, and I think many of us will notice those changes over the month. What I’m curious about – do you keep track of your cycle and have this in mind as you schedule meetings, tasks or deadlines?

Personally I’m much more outgoing and communicative during my follicular phase, so I’ll plan important meetings, outreach or releases during this phase wherever possible. When I’m luteal or menstruate I tend to withdraw from the world. This is a tricky window as mood regulators drop and I’ll be sooo much more sensitive to negative intrusive thoughts. But I’ve found this window is actually really fitting for deep-diving into learning new things, tucked in comfortably on my sofa.

What’s funny is that I started doing this subconsciously. I’ve been focusing on exploring my flow states over the last years, listening to my body and leveraging my impulses. By now I’m aware of what’s going on and how I can use it to my benefit. It’s not foolproof, and externalities can easily get in the way. But I do feel much more confident and aligned in my work and can be gentle to myself when something doesn’t work out.

Do any of you relate? Can you identify tasks that work just well in one cycle phase but feel impossible a week later? Would love to hear your thoughts 💛

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