There isn’t one universal way that trans men, trans mascs, and nonbinary folks (or anyone else assigned female at birth) experience menstruation and menstrual cycles–and it’s okay if your feelings and thoughts about your relationship with this bodily function shift or fluctuate over time (or from month to month). For some folks, a period may not trigger much or any gender dysphoria. For others, it can trigger dysphoria and discomfort that ranges from mild to disabling. Some of the reasons that menstruation may trigger gender dysphoria can be: 

• Menstrual discomfort and/or hygiene management requiring attention to/ interacting with certain parts of their body.
• Feeling a sense of shame, embarrassment, emasculation, or humiliation about how they or others might perceive or interpret their menstruation in relation to masculinity, masculine identities, femininity, or feminine identities.
• Experiencing cycles that are extremely painful, prolonged, or heavy.
• Difficulty finding a provider to treat underlying menstruation-related medical issues, and discomfort or dysphoria related to seeking medical care–especially when practices/ providers are branded as “women’s health”.
• Feeling frustrated or betrayed by their body performing a function that feels like it’s in conflict with their gender,  thus creating additional obstacles for them to navigate.
• Having to conceal a period or menstruation hygiene products because of  concerns related to safety in public restrooms or being stealth.

While dysphoria around menstruation can feel unbearable, it is never advisable to try to stop periods from happening through any method that ultimately harms your wellbeing, such as intentionally causing health or nutritional deficiencies . 

It is critical that people who are menstruating practice appropriate hygiene and safety practices. For example, tampons left in for more than 8 hours could lead to Toxic Shock Syndrome–if you’re not in a situation where you can comfortably and safely change your menstruation product more frequently, you may need to consider an alternative collection method, like a menstrual cup or specially-designed period underwear. 

While our bodies may occasionally do things that feel in conflict with our identities or go against our wishes, it’s important that we care for them anyway–everyone  deserves to live in a body that’s been nurtured into alignment, not mistreated into submission.

Mayo Clinic: Toxic Shock Syndrome

BBC–Musician Freddie Lewis on Dealing with Periods as a Trans Man

Jefferson Health–Managing Periods as a Transgender or Non-Binary Teen

Clue–Gender Dysphoria and Your Cycle

Clue–The Science Between Periods and Gender

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