If you’ve ever had to leave a room because the lights were too bright, someone’s perfume felt like a personal attack, or the sound of chewing made you want to crawl out of your skin—this one’s for you. In this episode of ADHD PeriPunks, Sarah and Chrissy unpack the chaotic reality of sensory overload in neurodivergent women during perimenopause, menopause, and beyond.

We explore how lifelong sensory sensitivities linked to ADHD and autism often intensify during midlife, thanks to plummeting estrogen levels and disrupted dopamine regulation. From clothes that suddenly feel like torture devices to crowded restaurants that trigger full-body shutdowns, we break down how hormonal shifts magnify sensory processing issues—and why it’s not “just aging.”

We also dive into the science of sensory gating, midlife hormone chaos, and how masking and chronic stress contribute to sensory burnout. Most importantly, we talk about how to advocate for your sensory needs without shame. Whether it’s ditching your bra, investing in noise-canceling headphones, or saying “hell no” to overstimulating social plans—this episode is your permission slip to stop tolerating sensory misery.

Expect rants, real talk, research-backed insight, and punk-fueled validation.

Keywords:
ADHD sensory overload, menopause and sensory sensitivity, autism perimenopause, estrogen dopamine ADHD, neurodivergent women and hormones, sensory processing issues midlife, overstimulation in perimenopause, hormone-related sensory changes, ADHD menopause strategies, sensory regulation women's health

📚 Shoutouts & Resources:

• Book: Divergent Mind by Jenara Nerenberg

• Podcast: The Sensory Project Show

• Research: Mather, M., & Goldstein, J. M. (2015). “Effects of Hormone Therapy on Sensory and Cognitive Function.” Journal of Neuroscience.