Menopause is a significant life stage for any woman or person with ovaries, bringing with it a range of physical and emotional changes. However, for autistic women, menopause can present unique challenges. As we often share here at Sunshine Support, autism can influence how a person processes sensory information, emotions, and experiences, and these factors can combine with menopausal symptoms to create a distinct and often more complex experience.
Understanding these differences and providing targeted support is crucial to helping autistic women/people with ovaries navigate menopause with greater ease. Autistic girls grow into autistic women, menopause is an inevitability, so it’s vital that we support each generation properly! We know that many of our readers, followers and clients are autistic women, as are some of our own team, and want you all to feel seen and heard. Let’s take a look at the autistic experience of menopause.
Understanding Menopause in Autistic Women: The Overlapping Challenges
The menopausal transition is often accompanied by hot flushes, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and changes in cognitive function. These symptoms can be distressing for many women, but for those with autism, they may be particularly overwhelming. Autistic women often experience heightened sensory sensitivity, meaning that the hot flushes and night sweats common during menopause can be more intensely uncomfortable. Similarly, increased fatigue or insomnia may further disrupt an already delicate balance of sensory processing and emotional regulation.
Autism also often affects the way individuals experience and express emotions. For many autistic women, managing anxiety, depression, or mood swings can already be challenging, and menopause can intensify these feelings. Hormonal fluctuations during menopause may exacerbate autistic traits such as difficulty with emotional regulation, leading to increased stress or burnout. This can make it harder for some autistic women to cope with changes in routine, or to manage the social and professional demands of daily life.
In addition, the “masking” behaviour – where autistic women/people with ovaries consciously or unconsciously suppress their natural responses in order to fit in socially – can become more difficult to maintain as they age. The mental and emotional toll of masking, combined with the physical and emotional changes of menopause, may leave some autistic women feeling exhausted or misunderstood.
Tailored Support for Autistic Women in Menopause
Given the unique ways that autism and menopause interact, it’s important to offer support that is sensitive to these needs. Here are a few ways to provide tailored support for autistic women/people with ovaries during menopause:
- Recognising Sensory Sensitivities: Understanding that sensory issues may be exacerbated during menopause is key. For example, workplaces and homes can offer accommodations such as cooler environments, softer lighting, and less restrictive clothing options. Providing sensory-friendly spaces can help autistic women manage discomfort caused by heightened sensitivity to heat or other stimuli.
- Open Communication and Emotional Support: Menopause can intensify emotional struggles for autistic women, so it’s essential to create a space where they feel heard and understood. Offering a non-judgemental ear and validating their experiences can go a long way in providing emotional support. Encouraging access to specialised counselling, particularly with professionals familiar with both autism and menopause, can also be invaluable.
- Flexibility in Routine and Work: Rigid schedules can feel overwhelming for many autistic women, especially when menopause disrupts sleep patterns or increases fatigue. Being flexible with routines, whether in the workplace or at home, can alleviate some of the pressure. Allowing for flexible working hours or providing opportunities to work from home can make a significant difference.
- Promoting Self-care and Wellness: Encouraging self-care is another vital way to support autistic women through menopause. Simple practices like mindfulness, gentle exercise, or creating sensory-friendly relaxation areas can help manage anxiety and improve overall wellbeing. Exploring hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or other medical interventions under professional guidance may also help alleviate more severe menopausal symptoms.
Raising Awareness and Building Supportive Communities
One of the most significant ways to support autistic women during menopause is through raising awareness. Healthcare providers, employers, friends, and family members can all benefit from understanding how menopause may uniquely affect autistic women. By fostering an environment of compassion and inclusivity, we can ensure that these women receive the support they need to manage this life stage more comfortably. This is why we’ve planned a webinar with the fantastic Dr Rachel Moseley, an expert in the field – we want the autistic SEND mums and grandmothers in our community to feel supported, as well as non-autistic parents/caregivers of autistic girls. Read on for more information…
In conclusion, menopause presents both physical and emotional challenges for all women, but autistic women/people with ovaries may face additional hurdles due to their sensory sensitivities and emotional regulation difficulties. By recognising these unique experiences and offering appropriate, compassionate support, we can help autistic women/people with ovaries navigate menopause with greater comfort and confidence.
Join our webinar: Supporting Autistic People During Ageing & The Menopause
Autistic people become increasingly invisible as they age. This is especially true of autistic women and people with ovaries, who often aren’t catered for by services. There are, however, numerous challenges associated with navigating the ageing process as an autistic adult, menopause being just one of these.
In this talk, Dr Rachel Moseley (Principal Academic in Psychology, Bournemouth University) will discuss:
- What are the challenges facing autistic adults when they age?
- Why do autistic people have especial difficulties with reproductive transition points like menopause?
- Why is menopause important for later health and wellbeing?
- What can be done to help autistic people through menopause and into older age?
