It’s currently That Time of the Month for me and I don’t have the spoons to write a proper post. So here are bullet points on how I experience periods as an Autistic person.
One week before period:
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
- Suicidal thoughts (I’m currently managing it by taking antidepressants 2 weeks before my period starts)
- More irritable; I tend to take things (that usually don’t bother me) more personally
During period:
- Painful cramps
- Lightheadedness, headache & nausea
- Much more sensitive to sensory stimuli, thus more prone to sensory overload
- Sensory discomfort from dealing with period blood
- Executive functioning challenges get amplified; I find it difficult to do everyday tasks that I usually have no problem with (e.g. going to the toilet, taking a shower, getting myself to eat)
- Brain fog
The worst part of it all is the pressure to act as if you can still function as per normal on your period, because many people don’t understand the complexities of navigating periods as an Autistic person and may think you’re just “making excuses” for something that half the population goes through. 🙃
How I cope:
- Get as much rest as possible
- Take fetus steps
- Eat my favourite/safe food
- Indulge in my special interests