“Like I Wasn’t in Control of Myself”: Menstruation Experiences of Autistic Young Adults

There is growing awareness that menstruation may be challenging for autistic people, perhaps due in part to sensory sensitivities, differences in interoception and barriers to healthcare support. Although research is beginning to highlight issues during menstruation, there has been a reliance on caregiver perspectives and limited reporting from autistic people themselves. Through semi-structured interviews with nine autistic young adults (all cisgender females), we explored the experiences of autistic individuals in managing menstruation. Thematic analysis described autistic individuals’ experiences including the influence and impact of co-occurring conditions and sensitivity to emotional and physical stimuli, and emotional resignation when dealing with menstruation. Although some of these themes have been reflected in previous research, the theme of emotional resignation was novel. Despite people reporting distressing symptoms, people seemed to accept that this was the norm and did not expect the situation to change (resignation). People also described coping strategies and required support and accommodations. The study emphasizes the importance of tailored support systems and educational resources to better address the specific menstrual health needs of autistic individuals. Use of tools such as cycle trackers may help reduce the unexpectedness of menstruation. Future studies should further investigate the use of coping mechanisms and experiences of emotional resignation to develop practical, autism-friendly solutions.