Menstruation And Transgender Men: Breaking Stigma And Building Inclusion

“Periods are not just a ‘women’s issue.’ They’re a human issue. If we ignore transgender and nonbinary people who bleed, we deny them dignity.”- Jameela Jamil

Introduction 

Menstruation is one significant biological event in life for most: from reproductive health to general welfare. It's generally speaking cyclic, meaning sloughing the uterine lining along with changes that often affect physical and emotional status in people with a uterus. By its very nature, therefore, menstruation must be related to the existence of cisgender women: its implications are meaningful ones concerning reproductive health, fertility, and quality of life.[1]

As an important part of human life because of its role in human reproduction, menstruation is much more than that it presents very biological importance. Not only does this have to do with the regulation of the reproductive system but also affects almost every part of human life, from bone density and cardiovascular functions to cognitive activities. There is recognition of the fact that transgender is an identifiable segment of the population in terms of their diversity spectrum if one looks at gender beyond the conventional understanding of males and females. The groups include transgender men, assigned female at birth but identifying as male; transgender women, assigned male at birth but identifying as females; and nonbinary individuals who may not identify themselves exclusively as male or female.[2]

Problems Faced

Firstly, the conventional understanding about gender and biology, poses a very important experience that is typically physically and emotionally challenging, often making transgender men feel worse in their dysphoria regarding gender. Transgender male can experience periods if they are not undergoing any treatment of hormonal change but this is not so simple because they have to face number of problems and discrimination due to this which had further summed up with lack of medical care, going to gynecologist clinic so as to do test related to periods but this is submerged under societal norms and lack of attention of doctor towards treating such transgender males by conducting PAP test, or any other such medication to add to their physical health. Secondly, most people around us are unaware of the fact that transgender even menstruate which has made this condition worse due to lack of awareness and knowledge. Menstruation and transgender guys may be delicate topics. Although labels like "female bodied" or "AFAB" are occasionally employed in academic and medical settings, many Trans guys would discuss their experiences without being classified according to the sex they were given at birth.

Societal Stigma and Barriers

Sometimes, the perception of menstruation creates a gendered outcome that imposes traditionalism on individuals who menstruate because it forces them to be different. It can take so many forms from forcing them to hide their menstruation all the way up to the belief that they are less capable or competent. Stereotypes not only perpetuate stigma but also create a culture of silence and shame around menstruation, making it very difficult for people to discuss their experiences freely.

Transphobia increases the stigma associated with menstruation for trans guys and other nonbinary individuals. Many of them suffer from dysphoria in connection with their menstrual cycles, which is then compounded by societal attitudes that deny the existence of their gender identities. This interplay between menstruation and transphobia sometimes makes those affected feel that they cannot or should not speak about their experiences while concealing their needs concerning health. A perfect example is the fear of being misgendered or feeling discriminated against, which will make trans men not seek medical services for menstrual related issues.

The attitudes of society toward them and discrimination call for a sense of anxiety, depression, and lower esteem. It is comprised of a perceived negative self-image and inadequacy, especially while menstruating when dysphoria might be at its highest. Such emotional distress can lead to social withdrawal, avoidance of menstrual activities, and reluctant visits to the doctor. All these factors lead to further isolation, alienation, and worsening of their mental health.[3]

Healthcare Access

Hormonal therapies are taken by transgender in order to equate their physical appearance with their real gender identity for example: body hairs, breast, fat accumulation and distribution. They may experience it by taking injections, patches, gels, or pellets. This is done not only for mental or physical satisfaction but also under the pressure of society in order to limit societal stigma due to varied identities. Long term consequences of hormonal therapies can have an impact on bone density, cardiovascular health and hypertension. Studies have researched that continuous therapies can have risk of hypertension in patients but it can also early diagnose any health issue to them. This makes it important that such impacts and premature consequences must be taught to patients accordingly by doctors especially when the question arises related to reproductive health.

For transgender persons, health care environments provide especially challenging issues around menstruation. Medical environments are often not warmly inviting and can be downright hostile at times, and many health care providers lack the training or awareness to provide appropriate service for their patients. [4]The combined impact of misgendering, careless care providers who appear unaware of one's needs, or outright discrimination might discourage someone from accessing services at a time when they are needed most. Such an ill trans man is marginalized or discredited by healthcare providers who cannot trust him to be himself or who could not possibly appreciate the depth of his condition. Experiences like these with health care breed feelings of isolation and mistrust that only lead to more cycles of avoidance and neglect.[5]

The Future Of Menstrual Health And Transgender Inclusion

The transgender people have to face daily problems in their life due to social stigma and varied factors which make them incapable to equal enough as others while living in society, but the Government and other co ministries have taken the initiatives which cannot be ignored as they helped to uplift the status of transgender people in society.

Government has made scheme to give Ayushman cards to all transgender people which will be covering all their expense on medical treatment including sex affirmation surgery which includes sum amount of 5 lakhs on annual basis as all the trans people were unable to afford these surgeries due to which they could not survive the life their soul aimed for. This is done under National Health Authority where in collaboration with Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment which has been actively involved of advocating for rights of transgenders.

Some states like Uttar Pradesh has established separate wards for transgender community for their treatment so that they do not feel suppressed by any societal pressure which has made their counselling with respect to sex, surgery one on one conversation with doctor. Kerala have launched helpline number for 24*7 for helping transgender people in case of any problem or need. Online research and support groups have been made to make education about transgender community an inclusive environment in society.

The evolution of transgender awareness, however, has provided the need to include the broader group. The menstrual products (pads, tampons, menstrual cups, etc.) are evolving to be more inclusive of transgender needs. Some recent attention has confirmed that products for menstruation have primarily been designed with cisgender women in mind. Wide availability, affordability, and better representation of the transgender community in menstruation health stories are still works in progress. The demands of inclusive menstrual products, where particular attention is given to recognizing transgender men, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming points of view, have been discussed.

Several companies and organizations associated with the menstrual product take significant steps in making these products accessible and accommodating of various gender identities. Companies today use all gender inclusive terminology in their advertisements as well as in packaging, labelling, and descriptions. "Period products," "menstrual products," or "monthly products" is used instead of "feminine hygiene" or "women's products. Brands such as Always, Tampax, and others are adopting more inclusive messages by acknowledging that menses is not only the exclusive part of a cis woman's life.

 As companies learn that pads and tampons are marketed not to women, but a female "ideal," comes the realization that there needs to be more sizes or more absorbent products to fit the range of body types. Some companies are extending size to fit all people who menstruate and possibly physical differences caused by hormone therapy, athletic build, or just plain old natural body differences. Brands such as Diva Cup, Luna Cup, and Saalt offer more discreet, unbranded, or neutral colored packaging that would be well tolerated by consumers wishing to keep their product choices discrete. Both Diva Cup and Lunette emphasize that 'anyone with a period can use menstrual cups'. This can be very helpful for trans men and nonbinary persons, especially those whose pelvic anatomy is altered through testosterone therapy.[6]

Some tech websites have introduced an input gender identity and track menstrual cycle or its absence, for transgender individuals. These apps permit to personalize cycles and symptoms without alienation or misrepresentation by allowing monitoring for trans men or nonbinary people. In Trans males and nonbinary individuals, hormone treatment can cause their periods to come and go unpredictably; there is also an increasing demand for products that can easily cope with such fluid needs.

 Some companies or grassroots organizations have developed trans specific kits or product lines. Some kits, for example, focused strictly on menstrual products, but others included both informational materials or support in handling changes associated with hormone therapy, surgery, or periods. Certain nonprofits and companies are actually reaching out to individual trans men and nonbinary people in order to understand their needs.

Conclusion

Menstruation and transgender identities constitute a complex landscape further rendered urgent and demanding much action from society and healthcare systems. Health-care related discrimination is very likely to worsen feelings and psychological distress associated with dysphoria, and thus, there is an apparent need to incorporate this spectrum in broader practice and policy to include all menstruators. Such conditions are worse because of insensitive and unsupportive health care providers, which leads to more alienation and mistrust. Stigma attached to menstruation, from the traditional gender roles, complicates things even further with the men and nonbinary people finding it rather difficult to seek their much-needed medical care or support. The inclusivity should be pushed to a point where everyone receives all that they need and deserves. In doing so, one would think that empathy, acceptance, and inclusion by society will propel us to a future where everyone who has menstrual periods can exercise free from the threat of stigma or discrimination.

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This blog has been authored by Saloni Rani and Mansi, students at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab.

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REFERENCES

[1] Human Rights Campaign, Transgender Health Care (Human Rights Campaign, 2023) <https://www.hrc.org/resources/transgender-health-care> accessed 3 October 2025.

[2] T Johnson, The Experiences of Transgender Men with Menstruation (Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of California 2020) <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32813436/> accessed 3 October 2025.

[3] American Psychological Association, Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People (2015) <https://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/transgender.pdf> accessed 3 October 2025.

[4] Planned Parenthood, Transgender Health Services (Planned Parenthood) <https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/teens/transgender-health-services> accessed 3 October 2025.

[5]  World Health Organization, Transgender Health and Rights: A Global Perspective (WHO Press 2021) <https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/transgender-health-and-rights> accessed 3 October 2025.

[6] Karan Babbar, Jennifer Martin, Pratyusha Varanasi and Ivett Avendaño, Inclusion Means Everyone: Standing Up for Transgender and Non-Binary Individuals Who Menstruate Worldwide (2023) Lancet Regional Health-Southeast Asia 13, 100177 (Open access) <https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10305890/> accessed 3 October 2025.