Autism research is ‘all about the blokes and the kids’: Autistic women breaking the silence on menopause

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Moseley, R., Druce, T., & Gamble-Turner, J. (2020). Autism research is ‘all about the blokes and the kids’: Autistic women breaking the silence on menopause. British Journal of Health Psychology, 26(3), 709-726. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12477

Publication date: 30 Sep 2020 Added to AutiHub: 6 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
3
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 3 (33.3%)
  1. Rachel Moseley *
  2. Tanya Druce
  3. Julie Gamble-Turner

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The menopause is a major transition marked by considerable challenges to health and well-being. Its impact on autistic women has been almost largely ignored but is of significant concern, given the poorer physical and mental health, emotion regulation and coping skills, and the common social isolation of this group. We aimed to explore awareness and perception of the menopause; menopausal experiences and their impact across each individual's life; ways that menopause with autism might differ from a non-autistic menopause; and what optimal support might look like. DESIGN: A qualitative interview study. METHODS: Comprehensive interviews were conducted with 17 autistic participants (16 of whom identified as cisgender women). Inductive thematic analysis was used, guided by IPA principles and literature. RESULTS: Four major themes were identified: (1) covering the long journey of our participants to recognizing autism in adulthood; (2) menopausal awareness and perceptions; (3) symptoms and their impact; and (4) ways that a neurodiverse menopause might differ from the norm. Menopausal experiences varied greatly and some participants experienced marked deterioration in daily function and coping skills, mental health, and social engagement. Menopausal awareness was often low, so too was confidence in help from health care professionals. CONCLUSIONS: These findings implicate the potential for menopause to severely compromise health and well-being of autistic people and indicate an area of underserved support needs.

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Cited references
57
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
4 / 57 (7.0%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
4 / 191 (2.1%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 4 / 72 (5.6%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 4 / 172 (2.3%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
72 / 191 (37.7%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 59 / 172 (34.3%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
68 / 72 (94.4%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 68 / 191 (35.6%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 55 / 59 (93.2%).
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