For some women, perimenopause is the first time a lifetime of autistic traits becomes harder to compensate for. The noise feels louder, social interactions take more energy, routines matter more, and the strategies that worked for decades suddenly aren't enough. Perimenopause doesn't cause autism, but it may make the mask much harder to hold.

Brain fog, forgotten words, poor sleep, and trouble focusing can make perimenopause feel like you are losing yourself. Learn what changing hormones are doing to your brain, why ADHD symptoms may suddenly become harder to manage, and what you can do now to protect your brain health for the decades ahead.