TITLE: Autistic Menopause: A Guide to the Menopausal Transition for Autistic People and
those Supporting Them (Kindle Edition)
AUTHOR: Mosely, Dr. Rachel and Gamble-Turner, Julie, Prof.
PUBLISHER: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
PUBLICATION DATE: 2026
NUMBER OF PAGES (for Print Edition) 250
Menopause is a hot topic as more people assigned female at birth grow older and as the aging
population increases, there is more interest in what has been called The Change. One group of
people have been left out of the conversation-those with ASD and similar conditions. As many
people with these conditions grow older and enter menopause, there is still so little that is
understood about how these people are affected by this major biological change.
Dr. Rachel Mosely’s and Professor Julie Gamble-Turner’s new book, Autistic Menopause, is a
thorough and I do mean, thorough exploration of this important part of aging. After the usual
introduction, the book is divided into several parts with Part 1 being an introduction to
understanding menopause and how it relates to the autistic experience and Chapter 1 includes a
group of people with ASD who are Autistic Experts: Claire, Ann, Anne, Katie, Lily, Sally, Spike,
Janet, Alice, Daisy, Tara, Florence, The Cat, Suzi, and Bassai Sho, who describe what they wish
they had known about being autistic and menopausal.
Chapter 2 describes the physiology of menopause, including an explanation of the reason for
menopause. Chapter 3 describes how menopause affects the body and mind-menopause isn’t just
hot flashes and night sweats. It also has far-reaching neurological effects, which may explain
why The Change is so much more difficult for people with autism, and it is now thought that
menopause is primarily neurological. There are so many more problems associated with
menopause such as cardiovascular symptoms, joint pain and stiffness, cognitive dysfunction, and
mood swings. Other chapters describe psychological aspects of menopause and the relationship
between menopause and health including the effects of stress. This section covers menopause in
the general population, but Part 2 explores the “Double Whammy” of menopause and autism. In
Chapter 6, the Experts describe this challenging combination, while Chapter 7 explores why
people with ASD find menopause more difficult including difficulties with emotional regulation,
sensory processing issues and cognitive difficulties. Subsequent chapters cover navigating
midlife, managing menopause before an autism diagnosis and menopause in other
neurodivergent populations, including people with learning disabilities, ADHD and AuutDHD
which is a combination of autism and ADHD.
Also explored is how autistic people experience menopause with the Experts weighing in
heavily with their experiences with heavy periods and joint problems. In addition, there are
chapters on how autistic menopause affects memory and attention, communication and
relationships.
The last part of the book is devoted to managing menopause as an autistic person with the
Experts once again adding their voices on navigating the choppy waters of menopause. Yet, there
is light at the end of the tunnel; people don’t care as much about how others think of them, a
slowing down, with greater acceptance of life and emotions, avoiding toxic relationships and the
obvious cessation of periods (hooray!) Menopause can be seen as a time for growth with being
Postmenopausal being a new phase. There is a section about seeking help and support, though
the agencies are in the UK, as this is published in Britain. There is an extensive section of notes
and an index, as well. This is an important book for clinicians and for autistic and other
neurodivergent menopausal people, and their loved ones. Not to be missed!