How Does Transitioning Impact Periods?
The process of transition between genders is a complex one, and both physically and psychologically challenging. There are many aspects of your journey that will impact your reproductive systems, such as your menstrual cycle, both directly and indirectly.
In this article we cover some of the things you might experience as you transition, what will happen to your period as a trans man, and the changes you may see in your body as a trans woman.
Will I still get my period if I am taking puberty blockers?
The first thing to note is that puberty is not a one -size-fits--fits-all concept, and that since everyone’s puberty is unique, the effects of hormone therapy are also unique.
In the case of most trans men, hormone blockers will cause your period to decrease and even stop after about 3 months. However, for some people it can take much longer. You may still experience some spotting and some pain around the time you would usually bleed. Taking higher doses of medication will not necessarily bring about faster changes, and more importantly, it could endanger your health.
If you are taking testosterone blockers that are also known as anti-androgens, you may experience other types of side effects including dizziness and increased urination.
What will happen to my period when I start taking testosterone?
It is normal to still have a period after you start taking testosterone. It can take up to 6 months for the right amount of testosterone to build up in the body to cause periods to stop. Some studies have shown that with moderate amounts of testosterone it can even take up to a year for periods to cease. While it is possible to make adjustments in dosing and medication type, it is not always advisable to do so since the way your body changes in response to hormones depends on a variety of factors, including genetics and the age at which you begin your transition.
It is also important to remember that while testosterone reduces your ability to become pregnant, it does not eliminate the risk completely. If you remain sexually active with someone who is capable of producing sperm, you should continue to use contraception.
What other effects can testosterone have on me?
Testosterone has a broad spectrum of physical and psychological effects on your body. You may or may not experience any one of these effects, and the extent to which you experience them will be unique to you and your susceptibility to the hormone.
Physical: expect to see changes in your skin as it thickens and becomes oilier. You may develop acne and notice that you sweat more as you pores enlarge.
Your body weight will begin to redistribute, you are more likely to gain muscle definition and some fat around the abdomen, however, your chest will probably not change in size significantly. You will also begin to see male pattern hair growth – with hair on the body becoming thicker and growing at a faster rate. Your vocal cords will also thicken, and this will deepen the tone of your voice. Soon after beginning hormone treatment, your clitoris will begin to grow and become larger when you are aroused. You may find that you are aroused more frequently.
Emotionally: You may feel that you are changing as a person, developing different interests, or feeling a new range of emotions. Emotional fluctuations are a normal part of the hormonal changes associated with puberty and should be expected when taking hormones during transition. These emotions should balance out eventually.
What will happen to my body as I begin to take estrogen?
Trans women do not get periods as they do not have the reproductive equipment needed to do so, such as ovaries and a uterus. However, when taking estrogen, you should expect to experience other physical and emotional changes associated with the hormone.
Your skin will become thinner and probably dryer as your pores become smaller and your skin produces less oils. Some people report feeling “odd” as they become more suspectable to pain, bruising, and sensitive to temperature. You will begin to develop small breasts, which can be a little painful at first. The size to which your breasts will ultimately grow varies from person to person. Your body will begin to redistribute its weight and fat deposits. The hair on your body will decrease in thickness and grow at a slower rate, but it will not go away altogether.
Emotionally: You may feel that you are changing as a person, developing different interests, or feeling a new range of emotions. Emotional fluctuations are a normal part of the hormonal changes associated with puberty and are expected when taking hormones during transition. These emotions should balance out eventually.
What other aspects of transitioning can influence my period?
Transitioning is not just physical, it is also a difficult psychological process that can be full of anxiety, stress, depression, and frequently involves periods of body dysmorphia (check the weblinks at the end of the article for more information about this). All of these can affect your period by causing hormone irregularities associated with the release of stress hormones. Moreover, depending on the age in which you are transitioning, there are regular psycho-physical processes to deal with, such as the cognitive changes associated with puberty as your brain becomes more plastic and you become more social.
NOTE: The important thing to remember, whether you are a trans man or woman, is that your body is not trying to purposefully sabotage your intentions by having a period or responding slowly to hormones - it is simply implementing its inherent biological, mechanised system. While these are unique in characteristics to each person, they are universally without bias. You and your clinician will work together to bring your body’s systems into line with what your heart and mind want, but will take time and it will demand a lot of patience from you and those around you. In the meantime, be kind to yourself and to your body, as you both learn to be the new you.
Sources:
https://helloclue.com/articles/cycle-a-z/what-it's-like-to-get-your-period-when-you're-trans
https://helloclue.com/articles/cycle-a-z/gender-dysphoria-your-cycle
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/body-dysmorphic-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353938 https://www.self.com/story/male-period-trans-model-kenny-jones
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5685207/
https://transcare.ucsf.edu/article/information-testosterone-hormone-therapy
https://transcare.ucsf.edu/article/information-estrogen-hormone-therapy