ERIC Number: EJ1346696
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Aug
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Available Date: N/A
Menstruation and Menopause in Autistic Adults: Periods of Importance?
Groenman, Annabeth P.; Torenvliet, Carolien; Radhoe, Tulsi A.; Agelink van Rentergem, Joost A.; Geurts, Hilde M.
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v26 n6 p1563-1572 Aug 2022
Autism spectrum conditions were once seen as a predominantly male condition. This has caused a paucity of information on common events in the lives of women, such as menstruation and menopause. Some smaller studies indicate that autistic women might suffer from increased difficulties surrounding these events. This study aims to investigate whether autistic women experience more frequent premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and increased complaints surrounding menopause. In partly overlapping samples (premenstrual dysphoric disorder, n = 70, n[subscript ASC] = 28, n[subscript comparisons] = 42; menopause, n = 65, n[subscript ASC] = 30, n[subscript comparisons] = 35), we investigated premenstrual dysphoric disorder prevalence and menopausal complaints. In 70 individuals, we did not find an increased prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in autistic women (14.3%) compared with non-autistic women (9.5%). In 65 women aged 40 years and above, we found that autistic women did experience higher levels of menopausal complaints. In autistic women, higher menopausal complaints were associated with higher levels of depression and autistic traits. In non-autistic women, menopausal complaints were associated with increased inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity (i.e. attention deficit hyperactivity disorder traits), and depression. With this work, we show the important role that major reproductive milestones can have in an autistic woman's life.
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Females, Physiology, Aging (Individuals), Incidence, Adults, Depression (Psychology), Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Foreign Countries, Individual Characteristics, Anxiety, Mental Health, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Physical Health
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2993
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Netherlands
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A