Explore the relationships between hormone sensitivity, neurodivergence, chronic health conditions, and psychological wellbeing in this self-access class.
Increasing evidence suggests significant overlap between these experiences. Yet many female-bodied individuals continue to face delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, or misunderstanding of their symptoms within healthcare settings. This class offers a biopsychosocial perspective on these interconnected factors and their implications for psychosexual and relationship therapy.
The class examines hormone sensitivity conditions, including Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Exacerbation (PME), and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), alongside neurodivergent presentations, including ADHD and autism. It reviews emerging research exploring connections between neurodivergence, connective tissue differences, hypermobility, dysautonomia, trauma, endometriosis, and persistent pelvic pain.
Drawing on clinical examples and case studies, the class considers how these experiences may present in practice, including chronic pain, anxiety, eating disorders, emotional regulation difficulties, diagnostic overshadowing, and experiences of healthcare gaslighting. It also explores how masking and compensatory strategies may contribute to missed or delayed diagnosis in women.
Particular attention is given to reproductive milestones, including the postnatal period, perimenopause, and menopause, and how hormonal fluctuations may influence neurodivergent traits, emotional wellbeing, relationships, and sexual functioning.
The class introduces emerging perspectives on ADHD as a whole-body condition, considering the potential roles of connective tissue differences, autonomic nervous system functioning, trauma vulnerability and resilience, and rejection sensitive dysphoria. It also examines the influence of sex hormones on neurotransmitter systems, including serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline.
Throughout, learners are encouraged to consider how these interconnected experiences can inform assessment, formulation, and therapeutic practice, with attention to sexual wellbeing and relationships across the lifespan.
This self-access class is a recording of a live event held in October 2026.
Class Outline
- Understanding the overlap between hormone sensitivity and neurodivergence, including ADHD and autism.
- Recognising common presentations, diagnostic challenges, and the effects of masking and compensatory strategies.
- Exploring the influence of the postnatal period, perimenopause, and menopause on emotional wellbeing, relationships, and sexual functioning.
- Reviewing emerging perspectives on ADHD as a whole-body condition.
- Examining connections between neurodivergence, connective tissue differences, hypermobility, dysautonomia, trauma, and chronic pain.
- Considering pelvic pain and sexual difficulties through clinical examples and case studies.
- Applying a biopsychosocial perspective to assessment, formulation, and therapeutic practice.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this self-access class, learners will be able to:
- Describe the relationships between hormone sensitivity conditions and neurodivergent presentations.
- Recognise common patterns of presentation and diagnostic challenges experienced by female-bodied individuals.
- Explain how reproductive milestones may influence neurodivergent traits, mental health, relationships, and sexual wellbeing.
- Discuss emerging research on ADHD, connective tissue differences, dysautonomia, and trauma.
- Identify factors that may contribute to chronic pain, pelvic pain, and sexual difficulties in neurodivergent populations.
- Apply a biopsychosocial perspective to assessment, formulation, and therapeutic practice.
About the Trainer
Dr Angela Wright is a GP, BMS Accredited Menopause Specialist and Clinical Sexologist.
She trained in Clinical Sexology with the Contemporary Institute of Clinical Sexology and went on to complete the ESSM Advanced School of Sexual Medicine and become a Fellow of the European Committee of Sexual Medicine. She is a BSSM Committee Member and the current FSRH Menopause Guardian.
Angela divides her time between NHS work, private practice and teaching. She is trained in Palliative Medicine and is actively involved in improving access to support around cancer induced menopause and the impact on intimacy within the voluntary sector.
This teaching will provide a holistic view of menopause and how the biological changes taking place can impact mood, sexual function and identity. The current media focus on menopause has made the landscape seem confusing to many – we will examine the evidence base and guidelines that underpin a holistic, biospsychosocial approach to supporting clients at this stage and leave you feeling more confident in navigating this subject.
