PMDD and Autism: You're Not Being Dramatic

This episode of Autistic After Hours explores the intersection of autism and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe and often misunderstood hormonal condition. Ashra shares insights into how PMDD can intensify sensory sensitivity, emotional regulation challenges, and executive dysfunction for autistic people. This conversation centers lived experience, research, validation, and the importance of recognizing how hormonal cycles impact autistic wellbeing. Let me know how you like the episode in the comments, and please leave a rating if you feel inclined! Be sure to follow the show, so you can listen to new episodes every Monday. And follow @autisticafterhours on Instagram for updates and to vote for next week's episode topic! Music/Sound credit: Abstract Fashion Pop" by QubeSounds References American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.97... Arora A, Chakraborty S, Pandey R. Understanding premenstrual dysphoric disorder from a psychosomatic and a sensory perspective. Front Glob Womens Health. 2025 Jul 21;6:1595083. doi: 10.3389/fgwh.2025.1595083. PMID: 40761297; PMCID: PMC12319025. Chan, K., Rubtsova, A.A. & Clark, C.J. Exploring diagnosis and treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in the U.S. healthcare system: a qualitative investigation. BMC Women's Health 23, 272 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02... Kondo C, Ihara H, Ogata H, Saima S, Nakane E. Association between premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder and presence of ASD or ADHD among adolescent females: a retrospective study. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2025 Jul 23. doi: 10.1007/s00737-025-01602-0. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40699321. EDS Clinic. (2023). PMS and PMDD in autism and ADHD: Clinical observations. Retrieved from https://www.eds.clinic/articles/pms-p... Gentle Practice. (n.d.). Autism and PMDD: Understanding the intersection. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from https://www.gentlepractice.com/blog/a... Vlogs | Autism | Fragrance | Thrifting @ashralouisa on all socials Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ashralouisa #autistic #autismawareness #autismacceptance #unmaskingautism #actuallyautistic