---
title: How do women with autism experience menstruation and its symptoms?
description: Women with autism (ages 10-25) commonly experience severe menstrual pain and PMS, but these conditions are often undertreated.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/autism-spectrum-disorders-and-menstruation-2011/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- How do women with autism experience menstruation and its symptoms?

Study, 2011

# How do women with autism experience menstruation and its symptoms?

Women with autism (ages 10-25) commonly experience severe menstrual pain and PMS, but these conditions are often undertreated.

 Early or limited evidence

Women aged 10-25 years with autism spectrum disorders

## What they did

Researchers asked caregivers of women with autism spectrum disorders (aged 10-25) about menstrual experiences, including hygiene concerns, menstrual pain, PMS symptoms, and treatments they received.

## What they found

Frequent and severe menstrual pain and PMS symptoms were common in this group. These symptoms had moderate overall impact. However, available treatments like hormonal birth control were underused.

## What it means for you

Women with autism experience significant menstrual and PMS symptoms but often don't receive available treatments. Since caregivers reported symptoms rather than the women themselves, there may be gaps in understanding. The study doesn't provide specific numbers for how many women were involved or what percentage experienced each symptom.

10-25

age range of women studied

## About the study

Original title Autism spectrum disorders and menstruation Authors Hamilton A, Marshal MP, Murray PJ Journal The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine Year 2011 Study design Study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.01.015](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.01.015)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Autism](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-autism/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Survey study, 2012

What menstrual and premenstrual symptoms do girls with Rett syndrome experience and how are they treated?

Study, 2010

What gynecologic problems do girls with Down syndrome, autism, and cerebral palsy experience?

Systematic review, 2017

Does Vitex agnus castus help treat premenstrual syndrome?

Randomised trial, 2004

Which low-dose birth control pill has better cycle control and fewer side effects?

Survey study, 2025

Do menstrual problems and poor sleep affect mood and thinking in teenage girls?

Case-control study, 1991

How common are premenstrual symptoms in teenage girls, and what factors affect them?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗