--- title: Do autistic women experience more PMDD and worse menopausal symptoms than non-autistic women? description: Autistic women did not have more PMDD than non-autistic women (14.3% vs 9.5%), but they reported worse menopausal symptoms linked to depression. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstruation-and-menopause-in-autistic-adults-periods-of-importance-2022/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do autistic women experience more PMDD and worse menopausal symptoms than non-autistic women? Survey study, 2022 # Do autistic women experience more PMDD and worse menopausal symptoms than non-autistic women? Autistic women did not have more PMDD than non-autistic women (14.3% vs 9.5%), but they reported worse menopausal symptoms linked to depression. Early or limited evidence Autistic and non-autistic women (specific numbers not stated) ## What they did This was a cross-sectional study comparing menstruation and menopause experiences in autistic and non-autistic women. Researchers measured PMDD prevalence and menopausal symptoms, and examined whether these were linked to depression and autistic or ADHD traits. ## What they found Autistic women had 14.3% PMDD prevalence compared to 9.5% in non-autistic women. Autistic women experienced increased menopausal complaints. In autistic women, menopausal complaints were associated with higher depression and autistic traits. In non-autistic women, menopausal complaints were associated with increased ADHD traits and depression. ## What it means for you PMDD does not appear more common in autistic women, but menopausal symptoms seem more connected to depression in autism. This highlights that reproductive health matters for autistic women, though sample sizes were not provided so the strength of these findings is unclear. 14.3% PMDD in autistic women 9.5% PMDD in non-autistic women ## About the study Original title Menstruation and menopause in autistic adults: Periods of importance? Authors Groenman AP, Torenvliet C, Radhoe TA et al. Journal Autism : the international journal of research and practice Year 2022 Study design Survey study What was tested None - observational study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1177/13623613211059721](https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211059721) Original abstract Lay abstract: Autism spectrum conditions were once seen as a predominantly male condition, but this has caused research to have little focus on women. Therefore, little is known about menstruation and menopause in autism spectrum conditions. Some smaller studies indicate that autistic individuals might suffer from increased difficulties surrounding these events. This study aimed to investigate whether autistic women experience more frequent premenstrual dysphoric disorder, causing extreme physical, emotional, and functional impairment. In a partly overlapping sample, we also examined whether women with autism spectrum condition experience increased complaints surrounding menopause. We did not find an increased prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in autism spectrum conditions (14.3%) compared with non-autistic women (9.5%). Those with autism spectrum conditions did experience increased menopausal complaints. These 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. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [ADHD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-adhd/)[Autism](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-autism/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/) 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, 2026 Do people with ADHD traits have higher rates of PMDD than others? Survey study, 2026 Do women with ADHD and autism have more premenstrual problems than women without these conditions? Survey study, 2025 Are girls with ADHD or autism more likely to have severe PMS or PMDD? Cohort study, 2023 Are PMS symptoms linked to genetic factors for psychiatric disorders? Cohort study, 2023 Is PMDD a valid medical diagnosis? Review, 2011 What are PMS and PMDD, and how common are they? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗