Experiences of autistic women in menopause: brief review and recommendations for practice and research

Abstract

Autistic women navigating the menopause transition face a constellation of challenges that remain critically understudied. This paper explores the intersection of autism-specific traits and menopausal symptoms, with a focus on interoceptive awareness (IA)—the ability to perceive internal bodily signals—which is frequently dysregulated in autistic individuals. Dysregulated IA may contribute to misinterpretation of menopausal symptoms, which in turn amplifies vasomotor severity, anxiety, depression, and distress during this life stage. Systemic barriers further complicate care access. Autistic women often encounter communication challenges with healthcare providers, limited provider knowledge of autism and menopause, and reduced social support. Addressing these gaps requires interdisciplinary approaches, including autism-informed health education, clinician training, IA-targeted interventions, and peer support networks. This paper calls for expanded research into the relationship between autism, interoception, and menopause to inform clinical practice and improve quality of life for autistic women during midlife transitions.