Autism and menstruation

Periods are part of the menstrual cycle.

Your period is when a small amount of blood comes out of your vagina. It usually lasts about 3 to 8 days and happens about once a month (sometimes called the menstrual cycle). When periods first start, they may not be regular.

Periods are a normal part of growing up. Most girls and people born with female bodies will begin having periods during puberty. Many start around age 12, but it’s also normal for them to begin earlier or later. 

You’ll only lose between 1-5 tablespoons of blood – although some people may bleed more heavily than this. If you notice any changes in your period, speak to a GP.

Starting your period, which can sometimes be referred to as menstruation, can be a confusing time. There is a lot of information available to try and support you in coping, understanding, and managing your period. Below are a few links that will provide you with the facts and more about periods and puberty:

• Periods: Just the facts
• Autism and periods: a social story
• Autism and managing your periods
• 4 puberty changes only girls experience

How can you prepare?

Autistic people often need longer to adjust to and understand changes in their lives. It is often a good idea to start looking into and understanding more about menstruation as early as possible to help you feel better prepared.

• Talking about periods can sometimes feel embarrassing, but you’re not alone, lots of people feel this way. It can help to think about someone you feel comfortable talking to, such as a family member, someone at school, or another trusted adult. Speaking with friends can also make you feel more at ease.
• If you live in an all-male household or struggle talking to the adults in your life about what’s happening, especially if you don’t have anyone else to talk to, it can help to remember that you only have to say what you’re comfortable with or to write down questions or things you need for them to read.
• Try to learn more about the menstrual cycle. Understanding why it happens, how it may affect you and your daily activities can help you prepare yourself and plan ahead
• Social stories can be a useful way to prepare you for your period by providing a clear way of knowing what will happen in a step by step process
• When you start your period you will need to use sanitary products to catch the blood. Explore the many types of sanitary products that are available.

There are many different sanitary products; if you have sensory difficulties, there are alternatives to tampons and sanitary towels/pads, for example:

• Menstrual cups: a silicon cup which is inserted into your vagina to catch blood. It is easy to empty when full and can be cleaned and reused.
• Cotton reusable/washable pads and period underwear, which are said to be very comfortable.
• Dark sanitary pads might be useful if the sight of blood is an issue

If you prefer to use a product that goes inside the vagina (such as a tampon or a menstrual cup), it is recommended that you should change it every 4-8 hours. When using a pad, or period pants, these should be changed every 2-6 hours, depending on how heavy the period is. Although it’s rare, not changing a tampon or a menstrual cup can lead to toxic shock syndrome (TSS).

An important step is choosing which period product to use which works for you. This choice can change over time. For example, some people may find tampons uncomfortable when they first start their period, but feel more comfortable using them later. It’s also common to use different products for different situations—such as tampons for activities like dancing or gymnastics, and pads or period underwear for sleeping. 

Everyone’s experience is different, so it can help to try a few options to find what feels most comfortable for you. 

Get some great tips and advice on managing your period here.

Take a look at our autism and periods social story too.

How to get help

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively you can always contact your school nurse.

• w: Menstrual Matters
  
• w: National Autistic Society
  
• w: NHS