Autistic Women Face More Severe Menopause Symptoms, Study Shows A new study from Bournemouth University reveals that women with autism experience significantly more severe menopause symptoms, including higher rates of depression and anxiety, compared to non-autistic women. The findings suggest this is due to a lack of control and understanding regarding their menopause experience, highlighting the need for tailored support resources for this population. Women with autism experience more severe menopause symptoms than women without the neurodevelopmental condition, a new study has found. Researchers at Bournemouth University monitored around 900 participants for five weeks and found that those with autism faced stark differences in their experience of menopause-the physiological stage of life when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. The study was published in the journal Autism in Adulthood on October 27. Around 2 percent of American adults have autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. Symptoms can vary widely, but common features include social difficulties, sensory sensitivity, memory problems, obsessive interests, and sleep issues. Menopause is challenging for all women, with one in 10 leaving the workforce due to symptoms.Autistic women face severe menopause symptomsThe experts said that for women with autism, menopause could worsen existing difficulties. Previous research suggested autistic people experience more severe menopause symptoms; this study confirmed that with 476 autistic and 425 non-autistic women aged 40-60. Autistic women reported more severe symptoms, higher depression and anxiety, and poorer quality of life. They also had higher rates of physical and mental health conditions, which may overlap genetically or result from chronic stress.The researchers attributed the severity difference to reduced sense of control and coherence - autistic women felt less in control and understood their menopause less well. This affects stress levels, which worsen symptoms like hot flushes and fatigue. Kim emphasized that this doesn't invalidate the biological reality of menopause but rather reveals the interaction between psychology and physiology. Current resources are mostly based on neurotypical experiences, leaving autistic women underserved.Tailored support needed for autistic womenKim urged for more tailored information and support to help autistic individuals manage their menopause effectively.