The Tumultuous Intersection of Autism and Menopause
The transition into menopause can be challenging enough but for those with autism, it brings a whole other set of unique difficulties to manage. I was fascinated to learn about this unique intersection of menopausal health and autism from Dr. Angela Lauria during a conversation for a podcast episode on The Menopause Disruptor Podcast (formerly, All Things Menopausal).
Dr. Lauria is a late-diagnosed Autistic adult, and advocates for autism acceptance through her work as a publisher and the host of The Autistic Culture Podcast. She directed me toward a very recent and rather significant study, in my opinion, that has shifted my perspective entirely on how I ought to work with women in this space as a menopause doula.
The study was conducted by a team of female researchers led by Miranda Brady out of Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. Their research, A Perfect Storm: Autistic Experiences of Menopause and Midlife (2024), explores the multifaceted experiences of autistic women during menopause, highlighting the compounded effects of autistic traits and menopausal symptoms and the specific challenges they face.
Brady et al. (2024) focused on how autistic people experience menopause, asking for the participants to express in their own words the upheaval and challenges. Twenty four candidates hailing from Canada (13) and the United Kingdom (11) involved in the study were also invited to express their experience and share what support and information they believed was lacking that might better help them navigate the transition.
Here is a fascinating, albeit brief, summary of the findings, including a few key statements by the particpants.
Complexity, Multiplicity, and Intensity of Symptoms
Autistic women often experience intensified menopausal symptoms due to their neurodivergent traits and co-existing conditions like ADHD.
Emotional volatility and heightened sensory sensitivities can lead to what participants described as "autistic overwhelm" or "autistic stress," sometimes resulting in burnout.
The combination of these symptoms can lead to burnout, with one participant sharing, "Menopause hit me like a ton of bricks. It was as if all my sensory sensitivities and emotional struggles were amplified tenfold."
Adversity Converging at Midlife
The intersection of midlife challenges and menopausal symptoms creates a compounded effect, exacerbating existing struggles.
Two-thirds of the participants had a late discovery of their autism and were unaware or did not know with certainty they were autistic at the onset of perimenopause.
Participants highlighted the convergence of past trauma, life changes, and menopausal symptoms as a "perfect storm."
“Understanding my own body and mind was a game-changer. The more I learned about autism and menopause, the more I could advocate for myself.”
The Importance of Knowledge and Connection
Many autistic women feel disempowered due to a lack of accessible information. Early education on autism and menopause, as well as self-advocacy and self-education, were emphasized as empowering strategies.
Participants found that self-advocacy and self-education were crucial in managing their symptoms.
Building connections with others who share similar experiences provided significant relief and a sense of community. As one participant noted, "Finding a support group was like finding a lifeline. Sharing my journey with others who truly understood made a world of difference."
Barriers to Support and Care
Participants reported difficulties in accessing appropriate healthcare and support due to a lack of understanding among healthcare providers about the unique needs of autistic individuals undergoing menopause.
The study advocates for better recognition of autistic communication styles and symptoms by healthcare professionals. "Doctors often dismissed my symptoms or attributed them to anxiety," one participant shared. "It was frustrating trying to explain that my experience was different because of my autism."
Connecting to Broader Challenges
From this study, it's clear that the challenges faced by menopausal women, especially in the workforce, mirror those encountered by autistic women during menopause. I've written a few posts on Menopause at Work and remain keenly interested in organizational culture, so I looked into the available supports for autism at work. Here's what I found from my online search.
In an article in The New York Times (2024), Steven Kurutz discusses that a number of large corporations such as Microsoft are taking steps to make workplaces more accessible and welcoming for neurodivergent employees because of the fact that autism diagnoses are on th rise.
In fact, Microsoft implemented a neurodiversity hiring program in 2015. The results, expressed by on Neil Barnett, the company’s director for inclusive hiring and accessibility highlight an important point I stress often from my education in Organizational Behaviour. Employees are your best ROI.
“All they needed was this different, more inclusive process,” Mr. Barnett said, “and once they got into the company, they flourished.”
Now, you might be wondering, "Autism diagnoses are increasing, so we need support, inclusivity policies, and accommodations. But what about menopause, which is inevitable?" I completely agree. While progress is being made, the pace and attention given to menopause still lag behind other important health issues impacting employees of all genders.
Fortunately women can find solace in the credible and groundbreaking research continuously emerging on the complexities of menopausal symptoms. This heightened focus on women's health is broadening the field, incorporating more studies, and offering valuable insights for those navigating this phase of life.
This research by Brady et al. (2024), in particular, stresses the urgent need for greater awareness and tailored support for autistic women experiencing menopause. By recognizing the unique challenges and providing comprehensive information and care, healthcare professionals, women’s health coaches, menopause doula’s, therapists, and more can help them navigate this complex transition more effectively.
What’s important to note, however, autism can either be self-diagnosed or formally diagnosed, while other indivudals may be unaware of any underlying neurodivergent traits. It takes a level of compassion and curiosity, which is explored in great detail with Dr. Lauria.
Dr. Angela Lauria's episode, Menopause and Autism is scheduled to be released on the All Things Menopausal Podcast during the fall of 2024 (Might be bumped up sooner if readers’ feedback suggests so).
If you or someone you know is navigating menopause and autism, consider seeking out communities and resources. Take the opportunity to empower yourself with valuable knowledge and forge connections with individuals, in-person or online, who can support your through your journey.
References
Brady, G., Truschel, K., Beresford, B., Crane, L., & Pellicano, E. (2024). A perfect storm: Autistic experiences of menopause and midlife. Autism. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613241244548
Kurutz, S. (2024, July 9). Employees with autism navigate a workplace that is often unkind. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/09/style/employees-autism-navigate-workplace.html
