The reality of periods for trans people

Foto: Dean Shim / Pexels

Living in a society that often doesn’t consider transgender periods can be extremely challenging. Not only can it trigger internal battles, but it can be tricky to navigate with the lack of inclusion for transgender period needs in various spaces in society.

This blog will delve into some of the experiences and struggles associated with transgender periods. It will also explore the challenges and benefits of cycle tracking for trans people.

TRANSMASCULINE DYSPHORIA

All trans experiences with periods are different. Some male-identifying trans individuals receive hormone treatments to suppress menstruation. However, not everyone has access to this hormone healthcare when transitioning and they may continue to have periods. Furthermore, hormone treatments often take time in stopping periods and some reports suggest testosterone can actually increase the symptoms associated with periods for a little while before complete suppression.

Having periods as a transgender man can cause gender dysphoria (distress caused by a disparity between sex assigned at birth and gender identity). Studies show that this increases during certain times where symptoms are present - such as bleeding, cramps, and bloating – as many have described their period as a ‘reminder’ of this discrepancy between assigned sex and gender identity.

TRANSFEMININE DYSPHORIA

Meanwhile, many transgender women experience the opposite type of gender dysphoria to trans men; often trans women experience gender dysphoria from not having a period but desiring it. The gendered experience of periods is expected to be at the core of this issue as there is strong societal discourse suggesting that periods relate to - or are even integral for – womanhood and reproductivity.

Studies show that some trans women on hormone treatments encounter symptoms of the menstrual cycle without the bleeding. There is so much focus on the physical bleeding aspect of periods but there’s a lack of visibility for the different components of having a period- this can disregard trans women’s experiences.  

NON-BINARY DYSPHORIA

Alternatively, patterns of the non-binary experience with periods are a little more varied. Because non-binary individuals don’t identify as either man or woman, it is completely dependent on how the person perceives their own period - some may be indifferent, but others may find periods cause distress. However, some non-binary individuals may experience dysphoria with periods, but testosterone may not be the solution for them because they do not identify as a man.

For any trans individual, if you are experiencing any period-related dysphoria, it is so important to take care of your mental health during this time.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Due to the dysphoria that many trans people experience during periods, this can prevent trans individuals from seeking healthcare to avoid inducing feelings of distress or embarrassment. Furthermore, research has shown that sexual/reproductive healthcare providers lack training to utilise tailored approaches for trans people. Therefore, many avoid receiving treatment for health concerns or check-ups. This could be harmful and lead to widespread disparities in healthcare for trans individuals.

Not only is health a concern, but safety too. Dealing with periods in public toilets is often viewed by trans men and non-binary people as a risk to their safety. Additionally, men’s toilets tend not to have period product bins nor dispensers, making it much more difficult to deal with the physical bleeding of periods when out in public.

TRANSGENDER CYCLE TRACKING

Cycle tracking as a trans person may not appeal to some because it could increase gender dysphoria. Many cycle-tracking apps are gendered in language, colours, and systems, which could lead to a reduced sense of belonging.

However, the solution for this may be to track your cycle yourself (especially if you can’t find any gender-neutral apps). Tracking is important for trans individuals because it can highlight any discrepancies or health issues and tracking may form a bridge of communication between you and your doctor to make the experience less difficult for you.

Additionally, tracking your cycle can increase your own knowledge about your body so you can detect if there is a time you feel more gender dysphoria during your cycle. This gives you more time to prepare and allows you to plan around this. (Download the Period Reality Cycle Tracker pdf here.)

CONCLUSION

Overall, the trans experience with periods often embodies many layers of hardships. Cycle tracking does not fix all these difficulties, but it may be able to make your experience a little easier.

We advocate for more research (to further understand the trans experience with periods) and policy reform (such as healthcare provider training, trans accessibility to period product disposals/dispensers in all public toilets).

Many societal changes need to be made to ensure trans people are being actively included in discourse surrounding periods. As a society, we need to distance the association between periods and womanhood, because not every woman has a period, and periods aren’t exclusive to women.

REFERENCES

Babbar.K, Martin.J, Varansi.P, Avendaño.I, (2023); ‘Inclusion means everyone: standing up for transgender and non-binary individuals who menstruate worldwide’; The Lancet Regional health; Vol.13, No.100177; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lansea.2023.100177; Accessed 20 March 2024.

Karrington.B, (2021); ‘The Experience of Transmasculine People with Contraception and Menstruation: A Literature Review of Qualitative and Mixed Method Studies’; Transgender Health; Vol.6, No.6; https://doi.org/10.1089%2Ftrgh.2020.0047; Accessed 20 March 2024.

Lowik.A, (2020); “Just because I don’t bleed, doesn’t mean I don’t go through it’ Expanding knowledge on trans and non-binary menstruators’; International Journal of Transgender Health; https://doi.org/10.1080/15532739.2020.1819507; Accessed 21 March 2024.

Pinter.G, (2020); ‘ThemTech: Digital Menstrual Tracking Practices Among Transgender, Non-Binary and Gender Diverse Users’; Australian National University; https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/223609/1/THESIS%20FINAL.pdf; Accessed 22 March 2024.

Raynor.G, (2020); “Invisible Menstruators: Transgender and Genderqueer Individuals’ Perception and Experiences with Menstruation’; https://digital.library.txst.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/4aec1ce6-d2d8-43ad-ac9e-7f401ab9b72f/content; Accessed 27 March 2024.

Schwartz.B, Effron.A, Bear.B, Short.V, Eisenberg.J, (2022); ‘Experiences with Menses in Transgender and Gender Nonbinary Adolescents’; Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology; Vol.35, No.4; https://jdc.jefferson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1092&context=obgynfp; Accessed 20 March 2024.