The impact of menopause on autistic people
Research tells us that neurodivergent people, specifically those who are autistic or ADHDers, can struggle at menopause, a major reproductive transition that affects anyone assigned female at birth. Menopause isn't just something that happens in the ovaries: it is a neurological transition with profound effects on the brain.
In this talk, Dr Rachel Moseley explores the nature of menopause and why it poses challenges for autistic people, contextualising it in relation to other reproductive transitions and drawing on her research to explain what kinds of difficulties people might face and how they might best be supported.
Dr Rachel Moseley is autistic and works as a Principle Academic in Psychology at Bournemouth University. Her research centres on mental health and wellbeing in autistic adults, particularly around suicide and self-injury. Dr Moseley and colleagues conducted the seminal work on menopause in autistic adults, highlighting it as a potential crisis point, and continue to advance knowledge in this limited field.
Some useful information
Find out more
We are committed to creating a world of unlimited possibilities, and this has to start with understanding. It is not known what causes autism, but it’s a lifelong condition that somebody is born with. There is some evidence that autism is genetic. Visit this section to find out more about autism.
Autism alert card
An autism alert card can enable other people to help you if you are in difficulties. Autism alert cards will be issued free of charge to people aged over 10 years on the autism spectrum, who are residents in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole.
Our campaigns
We have run 4 successful campaigns across 2022-2023, capturing insights directly from people living with autism, told in their voices, and highlighting how they experience the world. Visit this section to read real life stories.
Our news
Take a look at our latest news stories and what we’ve been up to at Autism Unlimited.