Navigating Menopause as a person with Autism and/or ADHD
For people with neurodiversity, perimenopause and the menopause transition can bring some increased challenges. There can be some similarities in symptoms across the three which can make it trickier to distinguish how each might be affecting an individual.
As discussed previously here, perimenopause and the transition is a varied time period of up to 10 years where a females body changes via a reduction in sex hormones over time and signals the end of reproductive life. Some of the common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, insomnia, fatigue, cognitive issues and mental health issues.
Despite the idea that ADHD involves primarily inattention and hyperactivity, in females this is often an incredibly narrow view of how ADHD can present and the challenges it can bring to a female. Some common challenges might also be difficulty concentrating, restlessness, emotional dysregulation, fatigue, cognitive and executive functioning issues, sensory issues and co-existing mental health issues.
People with Autism may also experience a number of the challenges outlined above including sensory sensitivities, emotional dysregulation, executive functioning issues the need for order and routine, and challenges with social interaction.
During the perimenopause and menopause time, females might also have some symptoms that lead to a decrease in social interaction including fatigue and mental health issues and also might adapt some behaviours to cope such as emphasis on routines and increased structure.
Given that it is common for females to be diagnosed with ADHD and/or Autism later in life, there can often be some cross-over of the three, through perimenopause and menopause transition.
There is also evidence to indicate that hormonal fluctuations throughout the lifespan can have more of an impact on females with ADHD and/or Autism. Females during menopause might experience greater difficulties due to changing hormones and report greater levels of symptoms of hormonal dysregulation such as hot flushes, fatigue, mood and cognitive changes. Hormonal changes can exacerbate symptoms of Autism/ADHD making them more noticeable. Some females may have developed coping mechanisms earlier in life which might become less effective as they age and their hormones change.
Because all conditions have the potential to significantly impact a person’s mental health, it is really important to seek assistance if you feel like you are not coping in any way.
The first step, as with any medical condition you might be experiencing, is to talk to your GP. Following are a few resources specifically helpful for females with Autism and ADHD in regard to seeking medical help as well as some good sources of information that can help you navigate medical treatment and menopause.
The first resource and link below also has a list of women’s health services at the bottom. This organisation was founded by Anita Aherne. It also has a good directory for support and services.
https://www.livingonthespectrum.com/health-and-wellbeing/autism-adhd-menopause/
The second resource is a good resource by Amaze, the leading organisation for Autism in Victoria. It gives great information about going to your GP as a female with Autism and a step-by-step guide to assist.
https://www.amaze.org.au/guide-for-autistic-women/
The third resource is from the amazing Dr Louise Newson and contains good information on navigating ADHD and Menopause. A lot of the information will also be useful for people with Autism.
https://www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/menopause-and-adhd/
The final resource is an article from RACGP and outlines the current available training and resources for GP’s in Australia to assist them in supporting neurodiverse patients.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/gp-resources-to-support-neurodiversity-care
