Periods aren’t just an issue for women, as trans men and non-binary people may also have a womb and periods. That’s why Vuokkoset launches tampon for men during international Transgender Awareness Week.
Information increases equality
Trans men might continue to experience menstrual cycles even while undergoing hormone replacement therapy. Mestruation will usually end within a few months of starting testosterone. However, some men do not want hormone replacement therapy, so menstruation can continue as normal. Asexuals and non-binary people can also have periods.
With the new product, Vuokkoset wants to raise the issue of genderedness of hygiene products and anxiety related to menstruation in trans men, because for trans men menstrual pain is not just physical pain. Studies show that 93% of trans men have experienced menstrual-related gender dysphoria. Project expert, human rights trainer who has been through the gender affirming process, DEI consultant, speaker and LGBTQ+ specialist Dakota Robin shares the concern:”When I was young, menstruation felt not only strange but somehow wrong. Our culture does not really acknowledge the diversity of menstruating individuals”
Society changes along with attitudes
Taking a close-minded approach to periods may cause headaches and identity issues. Trans women may experience discrimination and have their womanhood criticized because they don’t have periods. Trans men may experience difficult situations if their period begins suddenly but there are no pads or tampons in the men’s toilets in the workplace. People find it hard to approach challenges relating to periods, such as PMS symptoms with compassion. In addition to the for men tampon, there are also plans for another, for me tampon is for everyone regardless of gender or identity.
By changing attitudes and broadening perspectives, we can also stamp out discrimination against gender minorities. The least anyone can do is to understand that periods do not define womanhood and understand the diversity behind them.
Dakota Robin.
Do you already know these terms? How to use the right terms
Cis means that a person’s gender identity and expression align with the gender they were assigned at birth and with cultural expectations. A cis woman is called a girl at birth, and a cis man is called a boy.
Trans is the opposite of the word cis, and refers to a person whose gender does not unambiguously align with the gender they were assigned at birth and the related cultural expectations.
A trans youth refers to a young person whose gender identity may be non-binary, transgender, or a cross-dresser.
A cross-dresser is usually satisfied with the gender they were assigned at birth, but they feel the need to express another gender in how they dress and act. It is important to cross-dressers that you interact with them as the gender that they are currently expressing.
Intersex refers to when a person’s chromosomes, genitals or hormone function is not unambiguously typically male or female. Intersex may also be a gender identity for some people.
A non-binary person may be both a man and a woman, something between the two, or something else entirely.
Gender reassignment refers to medical treatments that a transsexual or non-binary person can use to make their body align with their gender identity. Gender reassignment is a social and legal process.
An agender person is someone who has no gender identity. Some people, however, think agender is a gender identity of its own. An agender person may refer to themselves as agender.
Source: Duodecim Aikakauskirja, Seta ry, numerous comments on blogs and Instagram
Period shame has no place in the 2020s. Let’s beat it together! Read the full article.
