The opening episode of Autistic Menopause introduces the concept of autistic menopause. It explores why so many neurodivergent people may struggle to recognise the transition until they are already in crisis.

In this episode, Sam Galloway (she/her) shares the profoundly personal story of how perimenopause slowly dismantled the coping strategies she had relied upon her entire life.

From unexplained anxiety, insomnia, rage and cognitive changes to late diagnoses of autism and ADHD, Sam traces the path that eventually led her to understand what was really happening. She reflects on hormonal sensitivity throughout her life, the challenges of parenting while neurodivergent, and how recognising her autism ultimately helped her make sense of an experience that nearly broke her.

Content Warning: This episode includes frank discussion of mental health crisis and suicidal thoughts, alongside experiences of autistic burnout, medical care, and menopause. Please take care while listening and skip any sections that may be difficult for you.

Resources mentioned or relevant:

• 🌐 Divergent Menopause community and newsletter
• 📖 MENO-D – A rating scale to detect depression in menopause
• 🌿 Australasian Menopause Society
• 📚 Autistic Menopause – A Guide to the Menopausal Transition for Autistic People and those Supporting Them by Dr. Rachel Moseley and Professor Gamble-Turner (2026)
• 📄 Resources for autistic (/neurodivergent) women and people with ovaries at menopause – Dr. Rachel Moseley and Professor Julie Gamble-Turner, Bournemouth University
• 📱 Balance – menopause symptom tracking and information from menopause specialist Dr. Louise Newson

Continue the conversation:

Find Sam at Divergent Menopause for essays, research updates, practical reflections, and stories from the neurodivergent menopause community.

Every article is free to read. Paid subscriptions operate as a patron model and help fund the advocacy, research translation, and community work behind Divergent Menopause.

🌐 https://samgallowayaudhd.substack.com/

☕ Support Sam's work: https://buymeacoffee.com/samgalloway

Produced for the Autistic Culture Podcast Network.

🎧 Autistic Menopause is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Menopause affects far more than mood and cognition.

In this episode, Sam Galloway (she/her) examines the profound physical impact of menopause on the neurodivergent body. From severe dry eye syndrome, sensory hypersensitivity and chronic pain to sleep disruption, premenstrual dysphoria disorder (PMDD), temperature dysregulation, bladder changes, fatigue and mobility challenges, she explores how hormonal changes can transform everyday life.

Drawing on her own experiences, Sam discusses the complex relationship between menopause symptoms, sensory processing, trauma, chronic stress and autistic wellbeing. She also reflects on how physical changes can contribute to shrinking worlds, increased support needs and loss of identity.

This episode highlights the importance of recognising physical symptoms that are often dismissed, minimised or incorrectly attributed to ageing alone.

Content Warning: This episode includes frank discussion of mental health crisis and suicidal thoughts, alongside experiences of autistic burnout, medical care, and menopause. Please take care while listening and skip any sections that may be difficult for you.

Resources mentioned or relevant:

• 📖 The Mind-Blowing Symptoms of Perimenopause that will have your doctor dismissing your autistic intuition by Sam Galloway
• 🌐 Divergent Menopause community and newsletter
• 📖 MENO-D – A rating scale to detect depression in menopause
• 🌿 Australasian Menopause Society
• 📚 Autistic Menopause – A Guide to the Menopausal Transition for Autistic People and those Supporting Them by Dr. Rachel Moseley and Professor Gamble-Turner (2026)
• 📄 Resources for autistic (/neurodivergent) women and people with ovaries at menopause – Dr. Rachel Moseley and Professor Julie Gamble-Turner, Bournemouth University
• 📱 Balance – menopause symptom tracking and information from menopause specialist Dr. Louise Newson

Continue the conversation:

Find Sam at Divergent Menopause for essays, research updates, practical reflections, and stories from the neurodivergent menopause community.

Every article is free to read. Paid subscriptions operate as a patron model and help fund the advocacy, research translation, and community work behind Divergent Menopause.

🌐 https://samgallowayaudhd.substack.com/

☕ Support Sam's work: https://buymeacoffee.com/samgalloway

Produced for the Autistic Culture Podcast Network.

🎧 Autistic Menopause is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.