BY: ANUSHA
When we hear the word ‘menstruation’, we think of girls and women bleeding and suffering, but are the women the only ones going through the menstruation? Well, women don’t bleed alone. Some transgender men and non-binary people who have a uterus and ovaries as part of their physiology menstruate too. They do not like to be called women or anything feminine, but they too every month go through menstruation, and this is a topic that is often under-discussed or overlooked. From school textbooks to menstrual health campaigns, periods are almost always presented as a women’s issue.
This reality challenges how society understands both gender and menstruation health.
For many transgender men, menstruation is more than a monthly biological process. It can lead to emotional distress, discomfort and gender dysphoria. Picture being a man and having something that society is always calling “female”. No room for the change of sanitary pad, no answer to the question – ‘You are a man, yet you bleed?’ HOW? WHY? All those questions that normally have no gender-related answer. This disconnection between identity and bodily function can lead to feelings of anxiety, isolation and frustration and cause them to question their entire existence.
The challenges are not just personal but social as well. Menstrual products are often marketed solely to women. Public toilets, health education and health care services are often designed based on the assumption that all people who menstruate are women. This can leave transgender men feeling isolated or uncomfortable when seeking information, buying menstrual products or using health services.
Menstrual health should be inclusive from a public health perspective. Health programmes should be designed to be inclusive of all people who menstruate, regardless of gender identity. This is an unexplored area, and we ourselves have not thought about it at the grassroots level. Thou shall begin to change. Healthcare providers should be trained to communicate respectfully and provide non-judgemental care. Educational materials can use more inclusive language, such as “people who menstruate”, where appropriate, so that no group is rendered invisible.
Also important is being aware. Many folks just don’t realise that transgender men get periods. Public awareness can go a long way in reducing stigma and encouraging a more supportive environment for those affected.
As society starts to acknowledge the diversity of the human experience, so too must conversations about menstrual health. Menstruation is not just a women’s issue; it is a health issue. Creating inclusion, respect, and access to care can help ensure all who menstruate get the support they need.