Stop Gendering Periods
Stop Gendering Periods —
(PSA: As a trans man over 3 years on testosterone I do NOT get my period anymore. But there are plenty of people in the trans and non-binary community who do NOT identity as a woman, that do. As well as plenty of women, who don’t. People of ALL genders can have periods, so let’s stop gendering them.)
As a trans artist, my biggest goal when it comes to these videos is to create something for people in my community to connect with. There are way too many misconceptions about periods and the inclusion of trans people so I thought I would use my work as an opportunity to raise awareness and help educate those on this topic. I’m hoping this could somehow shift the way we talk about reproductive health and and make periods more gender inclusive. Periods are not just “female healthcare.” Women are not the only people who have periods. If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this video it’s to stop using gendered language when referring to periods and menstruation. I hope this sheds some light into the trans experience for you.
Using the Right Language
The first step in being more inclusive is the language you use. When talking about periods, simply STOP using gendered terms. It can not only be offensive, but you’re excluding a large amount of people who experience menstruation. It’s important to acknowledge the positive impact that using inclusive language can have on the gender diverse populations when talking about typically gendered products. Now I understand everyone has their own personalized language and what they are comfortable with, but I put together some tips and terms you should include in your vocabulary when talking about menstruation:
Use terms like menstruators/people who menstruate/etc. instead of women/girls who menstruate.
Do not refer to periods as a “female” thing because some people who menstruate do not identify as a female.
Periods are not “female healthcare”
Some trans men have periods, some non-binary people have periods, and some gender-neutral people have periods.
Stop calling pads and tampons hygiene products, sanitary items, or feminine products. Instead try calling them “period products".
Do not assume that if someone gets their period, they are female.
Instead of women’s health or female health, use “menstrual health.”
Instead of using the term “becoming a woman” when getting your period use “starting puberty”
People with periods were born female at birth but just because someone’s sex is female, does not mean their gender is female.
Gender identity and the sex you were assigned at birth are two different things.
Gender is how you present yourself, while sex refers to your anatomy.
It is possible to have a female reproductive system but not identity as a woman.
By using the terms “people who menstruate” or “people with periods” we are taking into account everyone who menstruates instead of using the binary term “women” to describe someone who menstruates.
Not all People Who Menstruate Are Women and Not All Women Menstruate
Having a uterus does not immediately guarantee that you get your period… for multiple reasons, but that does not make anyone any less valid as a person if they do or don’t. Some cis-women may not menstruate due to menopause, PCOD, hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus), or other health concerns. Some trans, non-binary or gender-neutral people can menstruate, but others may not. Menstruation is a biological function. It’s not a “woman thing.” It’s an experience that can be highly variable, and will mean different things to different people.
Testosterone and The Menstrual Cycle
There are a lot of trans people who do not get their period because of the hormones that they are on. Personally, my period stopped after 2-3 months of taking testosterone. This is different for all people, but normally when you are taking HRT, one of the changes is the stopping of the menstrual cycle. This, is more often than not, extremely helpful for trans masc individuals because of the dysphoria we experience when getting your cycle. I’ve gotten hate comments that tell me “you’re still a girl because you still get your period” or “you get your period so you’ll always be female”, etc. Comments like these are funny to me at this point because of the extreme lack of education. As a trans man on testosterone, I haven’t gotten my period in 3 years. At that point, commenting something like that on a trans person’s page is just blatant stupidity. By saying something like “having your period makes you a girl” you are targeting not only trans people, but all of the women who don’t get their period because of menopause, or other health concerns. Now you’re excluding trans women from being women if they don’t get their period as well. Menstruation does not define your gender.
Dysphoria, the Menstrual Cycle, and Safe Spaces
If you aren’t aware of the term gender dysphoria, it refers to the psychological distress that results from a mismatch between the sex you were assigned at birth and the gender with which you identify. This can be heightened when someone is menstruating, especially when having to shop for products. Every single product for menstruation is often in the “Feminine Hygiene” section, or they’re all pink with hyperfeminine packaging and feminine terms all over the boxes. This can easily make trans masculine people feel alienated and dysphoric when purchasing the products and they may even avoid purchasing the items all together. From personal experience, getting my period at the beginning of my transition was extremely triggering for my dysphoria. The sight of menstrual blood or menstrual products can be visually triggering because of their gendered associations. My goal with this post and with my cinematography is to allow for trans people to feel less alone with this part of their experience. Without better inclusion, the trans community is silenced in even more conversations regarding their health.
I included a list of gender inclusive brands below for you to shop from if you’re looking for menstrual products!
Whether or not someone has or had their period does not determine the validity of their gender.
