Internal Collab - Periods & gender

After researching into Soofiya's Bloody Hell zine on periods, I thought I would research more into the link between periods and gender. In her zine, she does not have a white-cis bias, as is normally attributed to periods and menstruation. She instead welcomes contributors of any gender and background and aims to educate readers on the fact that people of all genders can have periods.

This made me think of how I am biased in my own understanding of a period. I consider periods to be a thing associated only with women, whereas trans men and non-binary people can also have periods, due to their biological sex being female.

"Everyone in the world thinks periods are the ultimate expression of femininity." - source

Trans men can experience periods too and this can induce feelings of dysphoria - Gender dysphoria is a condition where a person experiences discomfort or distress because there's a mismatch between their biological sex and gender identity. To avoid this, people can:

• Avoid lady products

Sanitary products such as tampons and pads can be marketed towards females exclusively, using imagery such as flowers and colours like pink and red. This can make people feel overly feminine when they do not wish to. As the author of this article states, 'it makes me feel more like myself experiencing a medical condition and less like I’m a lady flower experiencing lady uterus ladyship.'

• Treat it with a sense of humour
• Remember That Anatomy Isn’t Binary
• Talk to Other Trans Guys About It 

Opening up a dialogue with others helps reassure yourself/dispell myths etc. If you openly talk about it there is less shame.

• Let Go of Expectations

Education around the subject of menstruation is also changing to reflect that not just women experience periods. In 2018, Brighton and Hove Council approved advice to teachers that children should be taught that trans boys and non-binary people can have periods too. This change of teaching of the subject aims to tackle stigma and educate a younger generation to be more accepting and understand trans people better.

The research into this subject has really given me some insight into what it is like for trans men to have a period. It must be really frustrating to try and leave your feminine background behind but still be reminded of your biological sex monthly. The section on feminised sanitary products as well as recommendations for opening up a conversation was the sections I found the most helpful.