Post: #1

Yes, Trans Women Can Get Period Symptoms

Quote:If there’s one thing cis and transgender people agree on, it’s that trans women and transfeminine people don’t get periods.

Those of us who were assigned male at birth (AMAB) generally came out of the womb without ovaries or a reproductive system that can support a pregnancy, so we don’t bleed every month in preparation for one. It’s generally seen as one of the net positives about being a transgender woman as opposed to a cisgender gal; before and after I started transitioning, my cis girlfriends came to me with their tales of woe—bloating, cramps, violent mood swings, nausea—all sometimes too intense for them to reasonably get out of bed. “You’re so lucky,” they’d moan, and I would shrug sheepishly, implicitly agreeing that I was fortunate to never share in those experiences. That would be impossible. Right?

Imagine my shock, then, when I talked with my friend Ashley last month, just before she went into the hospital for a few weeks. Nervous about the length of time she would have to stay, she told me the reason for her reticence: “I’m due for my period in a couple days, and that’s going to really suck.”

Uh, what?

Ashley’s a 23-year-old trans girl who’s been on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for over a year. She takes a cocktail of the antiandrogen spironolactone and estradiol, a form of estrogen. About five months into her treatment, she began experiencing a predictable pattern of symptoms: First would come the soreness and swelling in her chest along with bouts of nausea; the next day, she’d endure painful abdominal cramping lasting minutes at a time, as well as constant nausea, hot flashes, dizziness, photosensitive migraines, and bloating. This cycle, she says, lasts for about six to seven days and repeats roughly every five weeks.

If those symptoms sound familiar, it’s because billions of cis women all over the world experience similar symptoms while menstruating. Along with insomnia, general muscle fatigue, joint pain, acne, and a host of other side effects, all the afflictions Ashley reported are symptomatic of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and/or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). (Debilitating symptoms can be indicative of endometriosis and shouldn’t be considered a natural part of menstruation for people with uteruses—folks, call your doctors!)

Intrigued by Ashley’s disclosure, I put out a call online for trans women to get in touch with me if they had experienced regular symptoms like hers since they began HRT. It turns out, Ashley’s not alone in her experiences—it’s not impossible for me to develop a “period” after all.

The respondents to my question varied in age, length of time on HRT, dosage level, and administration method—while some trans people take their hormones in pill form, others choose to use patches or intramuscular injections—but they all reported similar results. Most seconded Ashley’s accounts of pain and nausea, and added that they experienced intense mood swings. One agender respondent, Blue, reported immobilizing cramps that were 30 seconds long, extreme mood swings and depressive episodes, and constant headaches—all beginning six months after starting HRT, and appearing regularly for the past five months.

Aspen, a 24-year-old trans girl, said that although she almost always felt nauseated in the morning, she’d recently experienced excruciating “morning sickness” for a nearly weeklong stretch before it abated—almost without a trace. Still another respondent, who requested to remain anonymous, said they had “a lot of really bad period shits where it’s practically explosive it’s so horrible.” (Menstrual diarrhea isn’t as known or discussed as other symptoms, but it is definitely a thing—to nobody’s relief.)

After speaking with about 10 diversely identified people who identified as having PMS-esque symptoms, I saw only one possible explanation: AMAB trans people can and do seem to experience period-like symptoms as a part of HRT. Just like cisgender women, our period experiences range from barely noticeable or almost nonexistent to debilitating. I haven’t identified a hormonal cycle of my own, but it was clear that others had, and they weren’t limited to feeling sad and wanting chocolate (though Ashley did wryly note that she “had to be talked out of putting chocolate syrup on [her] hot dog” during a recent cycle).

Scientifically, I was puzzled; were these symptoms strictly psychosomatic, driven by knowing feminization of these individuals’ bodies? Or were they a direct result of the physiological effects of HRT, an awakening of latent femininity in AMAB bodies? After all, there’s only one gene separating testicles from ovaries in adult humans, and all human embryos are primed to develop ovaries until a chain of genes on the Y chromosome get involved. Plus, animals of all kinds (like frogs and hawkfish) change sex frequently in response to environmental stimuli. I certainly didn’t consider my informal surveys to be comparable to a clinical trial, but the anecdotal data I rounded up was strong.

In fact, I even heard from a cis woman whose mother was prescribed HRT after having her ovaries removed, and who experienced cyclical back pain, bloating, and frequent urination/defecation—“everything but the bleeding.” “[My mother] actually has a healthier, regular cycle without most of her reproductive system than I do while still having mine,” griped the respondent. Given the dearth of medical literature regarding the effects of HRT on transgender people, why wouldn’t it be possible for AMAB people to experience something akin to a bloodless period? After all, side effects like bloating, cramping, nausea, and breast soreness are well-documented side effects of estrogen therapy. Is it such a stretch to believe that these effects could be experienced cyclically?

This is a phenomenon that clearly requires greater study—in all of my research on the topic, I couldn’t find a single scientific examination of the matter. Perhaps part of the problem is that so few people know about it. The general cis population is understandably in the dark, because lots of trans people aren’t aware of it as a broad phenomenon either. Though a few of my respondents had discussed their symptoms in private trans groups online, most had assumed they were the only ones who were getting their “periods.”

There is one group with strong views on the matter, however. If you listen to trans-exclusionary radical feminists (TERFs), we actually can’t experience period-like symptoms . . . because, well, we just can’t. After I put out the call for interviewees on my Tumblr, the TERF brigade leapt all over my post and covered it in some of the most vicious, unprovoked vitriol I’ve ever seen—from accusations of sexism, to claims that those talking about this were “delusional” and “parasites,” to outright threats (“i’ll gladly help them if they want to bleed from their genitals once a month”).

I was shocked and confused—I had gathered enough anecdotal evidence to suggest a truly fascinating hormonal phenomenon, but these people had no interest in challenging their preconceived notions of what was possible for transgender people (notions that, I’ll reiterate, I used to share as well).

But then again, perhaps this shouldn’t have come as such a surprise to me. Whether it’s in a conversation with our medical providers, friends, or even immediate family, trans people—AMAB folks in particular—have historically been met with violent opposition when discussing their feelings and medical needs. We’re often told we’re exaggerating things, seeking attention or sympathy, and that our reality can’t possibly be as we describe it. Sometimes these verbal assaults turn physical. When I asked how these attacks made them feel, Blue laid down some truth:

“I’ve always been terrified to mention [these symptoms] to anyone for the reason of feeling as though it wouldn’t go over well with anyone . . . My neurodivergency alone makes me feel as though I have to slowly kill myself at school or work (when I was in either) in order to be accepted and acknowledged. I don’t respond to criticism well at all, so I am horrified. It’s an especially odd topic for someone like me, an agender individual, who dreams every night that they might wake up AFAB instead of AMAB, [but] doesn’t really desire to relate to these symptoms in the end. It’s sad that it might not be easy to find a safe way to ever have a discussion on them.”

On the other hand, Ashley said she tries to focus on the positive. Although her mother has accused her of exaggerating her symptoms in the past, and she’s afraid to contradict those who say she’s just “looking for attention,” Ashley tries to educate those cis women who say she’s “lucky” not to bleed. “Well, actually,” she grins, “I don’t have a uterus, but I have some of the downsides.” At the end of the day, she’s glad to have a little more solidarity with her trans siblings now that she knows some of them share her experiences: “It’s good to know I’m not alone.”

Hopefully, one of these days, the medical community will dive into the matter and confirm what Ashley already knows—that periods aren’t just for vaginas anymore.

Fuck me sideways. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Post: #2

Oh thank god those weren't medical pics.

Maybe all this horseshit they are "feeling" are side effects from all the crazy shit they are pumping into their veins.

Post: #3

So..., they supposedly acquire 'tranny periods' via artificial means (consumed hormones), & they're trying to pass it off as 'normal'.
Or something to have solidarity over...

Retards...

Post: #4

When I first saw this, I recalled a line from a Cecil Adams column about M-to-F post-op trannies who claim they are able to experience orgasms: "One suspects a certain amount of wishful thinking."

Then again, these ain't just men in skirts & heels. These are legit surgical/pharmaceutical freaks — self-made mutants, if you will.

Take a psychologically damaged man, one steeped in confusion and self-delusion, remove his penis & testicles, feed him a daily "cocktail" of artificial female hormones . . . and it's little wonder you end up with a being who experiences a host of strange symptoms that defy medical explanation.

Post: #5

How is this even biologically possible? It's been a long time since I took a physiology class, but I recall PMS involving wild fluctuations in hormone levels, the shedding of the uterine lining, and other cyclical changes relating to OEM lady-parts. Would not surprise me if they're deliberately messing with the levels of the hormones they take so as to mimic the effects of real women's natural fluctuations.

Next we'll hear from aging trans-men about their enlarged prostates. "I'm so afraid it could turn out to be cancer of an organ I don't possess. After my close brush last year with Neuticle cancer, I'm on edge about these things."

Post: #6

I've heard that men already get male equivalent of "periods", or at least they tend to have certain times each month in which their natural hormones are off balance.

This makes sense because both men and women have "vestigial" body parts of the other sex; the fetus is born asexual but when it becomes male the clit develops into the penis, or when it becomes female the pectoral area and nipples develop into breasts. (I've also heard of some rare cases where male nipples were capable of producing breast milk).

So this is nothing remotely new, it's just stating a generic biological fact about men in a dishonest way just to attempt to push transgenderism as normal; men can experience monthly hormonal surges regardless of whether or not they're "transgendered".

Post: #7

(06-03-2016 09:15 PM)Scoundrel Wrote:  Take a psychologically damaged man, one steeped in confusion and self-delusion, remove his penis & testicles, feed him a daily "cocktail" of artificial female hormones . . . and it's little wonder you end up with a being who experiences a host of strange symptoms that defy medical explanation.

Actually, they don't always just remove their dicks. There is a procedure where they cut the penis into quarters from tip to base and invert the four parts inside the body to create a potentially sexually sensitive vagina.

Post: #8

Hmmm....

Tranny periods and heroin withdrawal have similar symptoms.

Aloha!

Post: #9

Some good comments on this thread.

No "likes" however

Post: #10

(06-03-2016 10:17 PM)Alsos Wrote:  How is this even biologically possible? It's been a long time since I took a physiology class, but I recall PMS involving wild fluctuations in hormone levels, the shedding of the uterine lining, and other cyclical changes relating to OEM lady-parts. Would not surprise me if they're deliberately messing with the levels of the hormones they take so as to mimic the effects of real women's natural fluctuations.

Absolutely awesome!

That article just comes off as crazy ramblings of a seriously mentally disturbed person.
Not every crazy person is a tranny but every tranny is a crazy person.

Back in the days when CSI was the number one show on tv they did an episode in which a guy was living with a trans person (M to F). He had no clue because they wanted to wait till marriage to have sex etc. The trans person even went to great lengths to fake periods by "used" leaving female products in the trash can.
Back then i thought that was some crazy fucking shit...now it's highly likely this is taking place right now.
How long till we hear about some guy finding out his gf of 5yrs is actually a man and as a result loses his mind and kill "her"?

Post: #11

I too got a giggle out of the "OEM Lady parts" line. Classic, Alsos.

Post: #12

*throws rope over rafter*

Post: #13

(06-04-2016 12:31 AM)Suits Wrote:  Actually, they don't always just remove their dicks. There is a procedure where they cut the penis into quarters from tip to base and invert the four parts inside the body to create a potentially sexually sensitive vagina.

Fuck, man.

Trigger warnings please.

Post: #14

Men also get periods - when a man has not lifted for a longer time his hormones drop down and he becomes easily irritable, can get headaches and becomes low-energy self loathing piece of shit. Only heavy physical load can help then.

Men who don't lift don't know this, because they have never experienced big hormone shifts but each lifter knows it that the hormonal spike from lifting feels great but a hormonal drop form being lazy potato feels like shit.

So I conclude that symptoms like mood swings, nausea and all this shit is a result of hormonal shifts - either natural or artificial. Trannies use hormones so it is no wonder.

The explanation is simple.

So to the people behind this article I just want to ask: Do you even lift?

Post: #15

(06-04-2016 12:31 AM)Suits Wrote:  Actually, they don't always just remove their dicks. There is a procedure where they cut the penis into quarters from tip to base and invert the four parts inside the body to create a potentially sexually sensitive vagina.

It seems you're quite knowledgeable on this subject. Could you bust out a data sheet please?

Post: #16

^ Ahahhahahaha.

Suits is right, though. Some trannies can even experience orgasm, though very often having orgasms will be a thing of the past.

Post: #17

(06-04-2016 04:24 AM)Horus Wrote:  

(06-04-2016 12:31 AM)Suits Wrote:  Actually, they don't always just remove their dicks. There is a procedure where they cut the penis into quarters from tip to base and invert the four parts inside the body to create a potentially sexually sensitive vagina.

It seems you're quite knowledgeable on this subject. Could you bust out a data sheet please?

I'm only a few months into hormone treatment, but will write up a datasheet as soon as I'm post-op.

Post: #18

(06-04-2016 07:42 PM)Suits Wrote:  

(06-04-2016 04:24 AM)Horus Wrote:  

(06-04-2016 12:31 AM)Suits Wrote:  Actually, they don't always just remove their dicks. There is a procedure where they cut the penis into quarters from tip to base and invert the four parts inside the body to create a potentially sexually sensitive vagina.

It seems you're quite knowledgeable on this subject. Could you bust out a data sheet please?

I'm only a few months into hormone treatment, but will write up a datasheet as soon as I'm post-op.

You're still pre-op? Nothing suggests faggot as much as a guy who is too much of a pussy to chop off his dick.

Post: #19

(06-04-2016 07:48 PM)Horus Wrote:  

(06-04-2016 07:42 PM)Suits Wrote:  

(06-04-2016 04:24 AM)Horus Wrote:  

(06-04-2016 12:31 AM)Suits Wrote:  Actually, they don't always just remove their dicks. There is a procedure where they cut the penis into quarters from tip to base and invert the four parts inside the body to create a potentially sexually sensitive vagina.

It seems you're quite knowledgeable on this subject. Could you bust out a data sheet please?

I'm only a few months into hormone treatment, but will write up a datasheet as soon as I'm post-op.

You're still pre-op? Nothing suggests faggot as much as a guy who is too much of a pussy to chop off his dick.

I'm going to man-up sooner or later, just as soon as my Costa Rica vacation is over.

Post: #20

(06-04-2016 11:41 PM)Suits Wrote:  

(06-04-2016 07:48 PM)Horus Wrote:  

(06-04-2016 07:42 PM)Suits Wrote:  

(06-04-2016 04:24 AM)Horus Wrote:  

(06-04-2016 12:31 AM)Suits Wrote:  Actually, they don't always just remove their dicks. There is a procedure where they cut the penis into quarters from tip to base and invert the four parts inside the body to create a potentially sexually sensitive vagina.

It seems you're quite knowledgeable on this subject. Could you bust out a data sheet please?

I'm only a few months into hormone treatment, but will write up a datasheet as soon as I'm post-op.

You're still pre-op? Nothing suggests faggot as much as a guy who is too much of a pussy to chop off his dick.

I'm going to man-up sooner or later, just as soon as my Costa Rica vacation is over.

Aloha!

Post: #21

Hahahahahahaha. This thread definitely went in a direction I didn't foresee.

Post: #22

(06-05-2016 12:37 AM)Kona Wrote:  

(06-04-2016 11:41 PM)Suits Wrote:  

(06-04-2016 07:48 PM)Horus Wrote:  

(06-04-2016 07:42 PM)Suits Wrote:  

(06-04-2016 04:24 AM)Horus Wrote:  It seems you're quite knowledgeable on this subject. Could you bust out a data sheet please?

I'm only a few months into hormone treatment, but will write up a datasheet as soon as I'm post-op.

You're still pre-op? Nothing suggests faggot as much as a guy who is too much of a pussy to chop off his dick.

I'm going to man-up sooner or later, just as soon as my Costa Rica vacation is over.

Suits Before Hormone Treatment



Suits After Hormone Treatment

Post: #23

(06-05-2016 03:03 AM)Suits Wrote:  Suits Before Hormone Treatment



Suits After Hormone Treatment

I think you're doing it wrong. You're supposed to look LESS masculine after hormone treatment.

Post: #24

(06-04-2016 12:24 AM)EDantes Wrote:  This makes sense because both men and women have "vestigial" body parts of the other sex; the fetus is born asexual but when it becomes male the clit develops into the penis, or when it becomes female the pectoral area and nipples develop into breasts. (I've also heard of some rare cases where male nipples were capable of producing breast milk)..

Default sex of fetus is actual female. If the fetus has Y chromosome, there is production of testosterone and other hormones that converts his body to male body. In case with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, a baby is genetically XY, but physical appearance is female due to defects in chemical signaling to become a male.