Autism and periods

[crackingreward]

Does anyone have an autistic girl who has been offered medication to stop their periods? DD is having full breakdowns for days when she has hers. She is only 12 so I'm just wondering, not looking to rush into medicating, however it's affecting her whole life. She won't get out of bed when she has her period, she is so distressed by it, missing school and I don't know what may or may not be available to help. I am also acutely aware of the issue of autistic girls, body image and the transgender path so I want to avoid anything that makes her dislike herself in that way

Hello! I don't have any personal experience with that, but did go on the pill at 16 to help with my periods as they were heavy and unmanageable at times. I'm not on the pill anymore and now manage fine with prescription painkillers when I need them.

Is this something you could chat to your GP about? They should understand your concerns and help you and your daughter to weigh up options.

What is it about her period that distresses her? Is it the changing hormones making her upset, the pain, or the period itself?

I only ask as there is some things you can do to help make periods a bit easier 'sensory wise', such as using cloth pads, as they're a bit comfier than disposable ones and nicer against the skin.

Best of luck OP, growing up is hard enough for young people and periods can certainly throw curveballs in the way as well

Is this something you could chat to your GP about? They should understand your concerns and help you and your daughter to weigh up options.

It's one of those 'do it at some point' thing as I don't want to be rushing into anything and our GP is still on call, triage and call back - as an autistic adult myself I prefer a face to face. I definitely will have a chat but I just wondered if others had similar experiences.

What is it about her period that distresses her? Is it the changing hormones making her upset, the pain, or the period itself?

She won't talk about it, which makes it so difficult for me to try and help. She is really upset about her body changing though and I don't know how to make that ok for her

I only ask as there is some things you can do to help make periods a bit easier 'sensory wise', such as using cloth pads, as they're a bit comfier than disposable ones and nicer against the skin.

I have tried cloth pads/period pants but she uses disposable pads and she is refusing to entertain anything else so we go with what she is comfortable with. Also give calpol regularly for her tummy pains.

It's such a hard thing to navigate, especially when they are so reluctant to talk

Completely understand, I can't bear telephone appointments with the GP and really hope they'll resume face to face appointments as standard soon.

I'm also autistic (though undiagnosed as of yet) and get that it's often hard to talk about things. I find some things really hard to explain, but also hard to pin point what my 'problem' is. I found it incredibly awkward and hard to talk to my mum about my periods and actually still do to an extent. I wonder if there are any books out there that you could give her? I had one that was all about growing up and my changing body. It helped me to understand the science behind what I was experiencing and it was something I could read and learn about privately when I felt super uncomfortable talking to my mum. The book I had was called "what's happening to me?" But I imagine there's better ones on the market these days. Maybe get one and leave it in her room if you think she'd feel uncomfortable recovering it as a 'gift', whatever you think would work best.

Another thought, I know someone who used a little notebook when they were younger to communicate more difficult things with their mum. They wrote things down in it and their mum would simply read what they'd written at night time. Their mum wouldn't necessarily respond or write back, sometimes it was just a case of them getting something off their chest.

So sorry if I'm not being much help

My DD was offered the pill for heavy and prolonged periods she'd just turned 15. She runs three packs back to back. She was worried about periods at school too but only started hers age 14. Do talk to your GP, hopefully a sympathetic female GP.

I was given the pill at the age of 11 as I'm ASD and struggled with periods, wasn't able to attend school as stayed in bed laying on a towel all week. Tampons were also the easier option for me as I can't wear underwear, so to me those were a game changer. I don't get periods anymore due to PCOS but I was on the pill constantly for 6 years with no break, it didn't do my body any good at all. But to be able to have that freedom of not worrying about the bleeding gave me so much confidence.

DD13 is ASD and ADHD

She really struggled with her periods. Her changing body. Particularly sanitary pads.

I bought the "what's happening to my body book" but to be honest talking with her about it helped more. She refuses to wear a bra which is fine, she is at an all girls school.

I went down the path of the short style modi bodi 24 hour pants. Once I got her into them she's been fine because she can go the whole day and don't have to worry about faffing with the pad.

It's that which distressed her the most, seeing the blood on the pad and having to change.

The pants I bought are black. So visually easier for her to deal with.

I hope you find a path through this, it is just so hard.

A useful thing said to me by a ND woman is to try and remember my DD is a third younger emotionally, so it's like dealing with an 8 year old with a period. This has helped me massively.

Just in case anyone is checking back on this...I have autistic 15 yo DD who gets severe period pain. Ibuprofen (generic brand but I try to get the coated tablets) is safe for 12 yo and over, has to be taken with food but works MUCH better than paracetamol. Kicks in after about 30 minutes.
If that doesn't work and she still doesn't feel fit for school there is also Co-codamol (I use the one with caffeine because it works quicker and DD can get off to school sooner) which is safe for 12 and over but includes opioids so she only uses it the once IF necessary, an hour after the ibuprofen.
Hope this is helpful for someone :)

My DD doesn't have autism but does have other issues. She went on the pill at 15 to help manage very heavy periods. They aren't lighter now, but are shorter and more important, predicatable. We run 2 packets back to back but sometimes stop early so she decides when she gets her period (so doesn't coincide with exams or holidays). I don't think a GP would normally prescribe at 12 though. (She could run more packets together but gets breakthrough so it is better for her not to.)