Treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms and sensory issues in a 53-year-old autistic woman – a case report

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Rynkiewicz, A., Ferensztajn‐Rochowiak, E., Moseley, R., Gamble-Turner, J., Hadjikhani, N., Lacroix, A., Curran, A. B., Sohl, K., & Darmochwał-Kolarz, D. (2025). Treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms and sensory issues in a 53-year-old autistic woman – a case report. Psychiatria i Psychologia Kliniczna, 24(4), 356-362. https://doi.org/10.15557/pipk.2024.0045

Publication date: 30 Apr 2025 Added to AutiHub: 6 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
9
Publication authors identified as autistic
2 / 9 (22.2%)
  1. Agnieszka Rynkiewicz
  2. Ewa Ferensztajn‐Rochowiak
  3. Rachel Moseley *
  4. Julie Gamble-Turner
  5. Nouchine Hadjikhani
  1. Adeline Lacroix *
  2. Alicia Brewer Curran
  3. Kristin Sohl
  4. Dorota Darmochwał-Kolarz

Abstract

Considered a taboo topic in many societies, menopause in autistic women is still under-recognised, and little research addresses its impact. Existing studies suggest that this often-difficult transition period is associated with numerous unmet health needs and a frustrating lack of knowledge and support from healthcare professionals. Menopausal vasomotor symptoms, the hallmark of menopause, can intensify and worsen sensory sensitivities in many autistic women. We present the case of a 53-year-old Caucasian autistic woman without intellectual disability or other current psychiatric comorbidities. The patient underwent gynaecologic and hormonal lab testing, and was introduced to hormone replacement therapy to ameliorate symptoms of oestradiol and progesterone deficiency. Menopausal vasomotor symptoms experienced by the patient were monitored over a period of seven months following the implementation of hormone replacement therapy and non-pharmacologic approaches. Hormone replacement therapy decreased menopausal vasomotor symptoms, but not all her initial complains. Strong sensory issues were linked to more severe menopausal vasomotor symptoms. This case highlights the need for further research and the development of the global Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) Autism® model to advance medical care offered to autistic women during menopause.

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Cited references
54
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
7 / 54 (13.0%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
12 / 278 (4.3%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 12 / 104 (11.5%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 11 / 247 (4.5%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
104 / 278 (37.4%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 76 / 247 (30.8%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
92 / 104 (88.5%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 92 / 278 (33.1%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 65 / 76 (85.5%).
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