A new review has brought to light the significant struggles and inadequate support faced by autistic individuals during the menopause transition.
The research, which pooled evidence from eight studies and publicly available blogs, revealed that while the symptoms—such as hot flushes, night sweats, and changes to mood and memory—are similar to the general population, autistic people often experience them more intensely.
A key finding was the increase in sensory sensitivities for some, which can lead to more frequent and extreme 'meltdowns,' moments of overwhelming distress.
Fatigue was another major issue, making it particularly difficult for those who 'mask' their autism to hide their traits, with many reporting that masking became harder or even impossible during this period.
The review also found that most autistic people were unaware of what was happening to them when symptoms began, as they lacked access to information that spoke to their needs.
A major problem highlighted was the lack of support from the healthcare system, with almost all autistic people reporting negative experiences, a situation deemed unacceptable by the researchers given that autistic individuals already face worse health outcomes.
Authors of the review, Aimee Grant, Harriet Axbey, and Rebecca Ellis, have called for a fundamental rethinking of how autistic people are supported through menopause.
This includes better training for healthcare professionals, the co-design of autism-specific resources with autistic people themselves, and proper investment in peer support services, which some had found helpful but were unsure of their accuracy.
The review underscores the critical need for more research in this under-explored area, stressing that adequate support for this community is essential, especially because the severity of menopause symptoms may be higher for them.
The research, which pooled evidence from eight studies and publicly available blogs, revealed that while the symptoms—such as hot flushes, night sweats, and changes to mood and memory—are similar to the general population, autistic people often experience them more intensely.
A key finding was the increase in sensory sensitivities for some, which can lead to more frequent and extreme 'meltdowns,' moments of overwhelming distress.
Fatigue was another major issue, making it particularly difficult for those who 'mask' their autism to hide their traits, with many reporting that masking became harder or even impossible during this period.
The review also found that most autistic people were unaware of what was happening to them when symptoms began, as they lacked access to information that spoke to their needs.
A major problem highlighted was the lack of support from the healthcare system, with almost all autistic people reporting negative experiences, a situation deemed unacceptable by the researchers given that autistic individuals already face worse health outcomes.
Authors of the review, Aimee Grant, Harriet Axbey, and Rebecca Ellis, have called for a fundamental rethinking of how autistic people are supported through menopause.
This includes better training for healthcare professionals, the co-design of autism-specific resources with autistic people themselves, and proper investment in peer support services, which some had found helpful but were unsure of their accuracy.
The review underscores the critical need for more research in this under-explored area, stressing that adequate support for this community is essential, especially because the severity of menopause symptoms may be higher for them.
