‘I Was Either Crying Or In A Rage’: Why Menopause Can Be Especially Hard For Autistic Women

“I lost a job I was good at because nobody, including me, understood what was happening.”

Parents editor at HuffPost UK

“My experience of menopause was devastating,” said Jane Alexander, who was diagnosed with both autism and ADHD at the age of 49, long after perimenopause had hit.

One in 10 women who work during the menopause end up leaving their job due to the debilitating symptoms. Jane was one of them.

“It was so difficult to untangle what was happening at the time,” she said. “I was hit with brain fog, fatigue, crippling anxiety, low mood, overwhelm and sensory issues that meant I was struggling with the noise and lights in my open-plan office.

“I was either crying or in a rage. I had daily headaches and gut issues.”

Jane was 43 at the time and said she had “no idea” it was perimenopause. Her doctor prescribed antidepressants, but there was no mention that it could be menopause.

“There was no support available,” she said. “It was only through late-night googling that I found out about hormones and perimenopause. I found a private menopause specialist and I’ve now been on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for seven years.

“I’ve also overhauled my lifestyle through nutrition, exercise and nervous system support. It has been life-changing.”

Her experience led her to retrain as a menopause wellness practitioner and coach so she could offer support to other women going through it.

“It was only two years ago that I was diagnosed AuDHD [a term describing dual diagnosis with autism and ADHD] so I now understand why I struggled so........

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