Mar. 31 was International Transgender Day of Visibility. This time is dedicated to celebrating the community, advocating for their rights and raising awareness on the issues they face.

A part of recognizing the experiences of trans individuals is understanding that human experiences aren’t just black and white (or male and female).

This can be applied to bodily processes like menstruation. Society has always considered menstruation to be a woman-only experience but this can be harmful to trans men or others with female sexual organs.  

For example, though a trans man may have physically transitioned with hormones and/or gender-affirming surgery, they still may experience menstruation.

However, having a period does not make a trans man less of a man. Instead, shifting society’s understanding to acknowledging that not just women experience periods is important in respecting trans men.  

Hormones are the reason people with female sexual organs have periods. Trans men that forgo testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or surgery still have periods.

OB/GYN, K. Ashley Brandt, DO, told Rescripted that most patients that take testosterone HRT achieve amenorrhea, or the absence of a period, within six months. Shorter/lighter periods can also occur before amenorrhea.

However, Brandt said amenorrhea can be achieved slowly for some individuals on testosterone HRT depending on the dosage, form of administration, frequency of administration and pre-existing medical conditions.

Brandt recommended those who continue still experiencing monthly periods after 6-12 months of having typical testosterone levels for a cis-male and suppressing period-related hormones to speak to a doctor.

Trans men who are on testosterone HRT can still get pregnant, even if they have achieved amenorrhea. Brandt advised those who want to become pregnant to stop taking testosterone HRT before and during pregnancy.

Periods can cause gender dysphoria, or distress from a person's human experiences not matching their gender identity. This can lead to severe mental health issues.

Periods can also cause mental and physical health issues in cis-women due to conditions like endometriosis or PCOS.

There are safe ways for individuals to stop having periods. According to Ro, some of these methods include HRT, IUDs and other hormonal birth control methods or a Hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus).

Learn about Endometriosis at the link below.