Periods and Gender Inclusivity: How to Talk About Menstruation

10 min read
Gender-inclusive period care and menstrual health

Periods are often discussed as a women's issue, and women and girls remain central to conversations about menstrual health. But they're not the only people who menstruate. Some transgender men, non-binary, gender-diverse and intersex people have periods too.

Gender-inclusive period language means talking about menstruation accurately and respectfully, without assuming everyone's gender. It doesn't mean removing women and girls from the conversation. It means choosing words, information and practical support that include everyone affected.

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Who can have a period?

A menstrual period is the bleeding that happens when the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, is shed through the cervix and vagina.

Whether someone menstruates depends on their anatomy, hormones, age, health and medical treatments, not simply their gender identity.

People who may have periods include:

  • cisgender women and girls
  • transgender men and boys
  • some non-binary, agender and gender-diverse people
  • some intersex people

Trans and gender diverse is an umbrella term for people whose gender differs from what was presumed for them at birth. TransHub's guide to what it means to be trans explains the terminology in more detail.

Not everyone in these groups menstruates. Many women don't have periods because of menopause, pregnancy, medicines, health conditions or their anatomy.

Having a period doesn't determine someone's gender, and not having one doesn't make anyone less of a woman.

Can transgender men have periods?

Yes. Some transgender men and boys menstruate, particularly if they haven't used treatments that stop periods.

For some trans people, menstruation is simply another bodily function. For others, it may be uncomfortable or increase gender dysphoria.

When information applies to everyone who menstruates, phrases such as "people with periods" or "people who menstruate" can be useful. When an issue specifically affects women, it's still accurate and appropriate to say "women".

The goal isn't to replace one set of words with another everywhere. It's to use language that accurately describes the people you're talking about.

Why use gender-inclusive period language

The words we use can influence who feels included in period education, product information and healthcare.

For some trans and gender-diverse people, menstruation can heighten gender dysphoria, which is distress related to a mismatch between someone's gender and aspects of their body or how others perceive them.

But experiences vary. Some people feel strongly about their periods, some feel fairly neutral and others may actively want to suppress menstruation.

A 2024 review of menstrual management among transgender and gender-diverse people described barriers involving gendered language, period products, toilets and healthcare. The authors emphasised the importance of individualised care rather than assuming how somebody feels about menstruation because of their gender.

The research in this area is still limited and much of it comes from North America, so we shouldn't use it to make sweeping claims about every trans or gender-diverse person.

Inclusive language won't remove every barrier, but it can make period conversations clearer and help people feel more comfortable asking questions and seeking support.

How to talk about periods inclusively

Gender-inclusive language doesn't need to be complicated. Often it's simply choosing the most accurate words for the people you're addressing.

Instead of automatically saying Consider saying
Feminine hygiene products Period products or menstrual products
Women's products Pads, tampons, menstrual cups or the specific product name
Every girl gets her period Many people begin menstruating during puberty
Your first period means you're becoming a woman Your first period is one of the changes that can happen during puberty
All women menstruate Many women menstruate, but not all do
Girls need to learn about periods Everyone benefits from understanding menstruation

 

These are examples rather than rigid rules.

There's nothing wrong with referring to women and girls when that's who you're talking about. "People who menstruate" is useful in general health information, but it doesn't need to replace someone's personal identity.

Anatomical language can also be helpful. Terms such as uterus, ovaries, vulva, vagina and cervix explain how the body works without assigning those body parts to a particular gender.

When talking with someone individually, follow the words they use for themselves and their body. If you're unsure, ask respectfully.

How can we talk to young people about their first period?

A first period can be an important milestone, but it doesn't mark the beginning of womanhood.

A young person who starts menstruating is still a young person. They might feel excited, curious, uncertain, uncomfortable or a mixture of all of those things.

Useful things to say include:

  • "Your period is one of the changes that can happen as your body grows."
  • "You can ask questions about your period whenever you need to."
  • "There are different period products, and you can choose what feels comfortable for you."
  • "People of different genders can have periods."

Period education should also be available to everyone, not only young people expected to menstruate.

WHO/Europe recommends timely, comprehensive puberty and menstrual health education for both boys and girls. Shared knowledge can reduce misinformation and help friends, classmates and siblings offer practical support.

Parents and carers can read our Guide to Talking to Young People About Periods for conversation ideas and practical information.

How to make period education inclusive

Inclusive period education is about more than terminology. It also involves how information is presented and how people can access support.

Use different examples

Show a range of people, experiences and product preferences. Avoid suggesting that everyone who menstruates looks, dresses or identifies in the same way.

Explain anatomy clearly

Use accurate terms such as uterus, ovaries, cervix, vagina and vulva without suggesting that everyone with those body parts is a woman or that all women have the same anatomy.

Respect privacy

Don't ask young people to disclose whether they menstruate, what products they use or how they identify in front of others.

Make it possible to ask questions or access products privately.

Include everyone

Whole-class period education allows students to learn without identifying themselves.

It also makes menstruation everyday health knowledge rather than a secret topic that only certain students are expected to understand.

Period products should offer choice, not another gender rule

There isn't one period product that's more gender-inclusive than all the others.

A product that feels comfortable and discreet for one person might feel uncomfortable or distressing for someone else.

Some people prefer external products such as cloth pads because they don't involve insertion.

Others prefer tampons, menstrual cups, menstrual discs or menstrual sponges because internal products may make bleeding feel less noticeable to them.

For other people, insertion or removal may be uncomfortable, painful or contribute to dysphoria.

Useful things to consider when choosing period care include:

  • whether the product is worn internally or externally
  • comfort and anatomy
  • any insertion-related concerns
  • flow and capacity
  • access to water and private changing facilities
  • cleaning, storage and disposal
  • personal preferences around visibility, handling and removal

No one should feel pressured to use a particular period product because of their gender, age or how sustainable they think they should be.

If choosing feels overwhelming, our Menstrual Products Comparison Hub is a practical place to compare the options, or try the Find Your Best Fit Quiz.

Inclusive toilets and facilities

Period access is about more than having the right products. People also need somewhere safe, accessible and private to manage them.

Research involving trans and gender-diverse people has described problems including feeling unsafe managing a period in men's toilets, a lack of privacy and toilets without disposal bins.

The studies in this area are relatively small and shouldn't be used to suggest that every trans person has the same experience, but the practical barriers they describe are worth addressing.

Schools, workplaces and public venues can help by:

  • providing period products in all-gender and accessible toilets as well as women's toilets
  • installing covered disposal bins in every cubicle, including men's toilets
  • providing water, soap and a private place to change products
  • using discreet, non-gendered signs for free period products
  • making it easy for people to carry products to the toilet without drawing attention

Gender-inclusive menstrual healthcare

Good menstrual healthcare responds to someone's symptoms, anatomy and circumstances without making assumptions about their gender.

Healthcare professionals can support this by:

  • using the person's name and pronouns
  • asking which words they prefer for their body where this is relevant
  • explaining why a question or examination is needed
  • seeking consent and allowing the person to pause or stop an examination
  • asking about the organs present, medicines and health needs rather than relying on assumptions based on gender
  • discussing menstrual management or suppression without judgement when requested
  • taking period pain, heavy bleeding and unexpected changes in bleeding seriously

Periods, testosterone and contraception

Testosterone commonly makes periods lighter or stops them over time, although how quickly this happens varies and not everybody experiences complete menstrual suppression.

Testosterone shouldn't be relied on as contraception.

Current Australian GP guidance notes that ovulation can still occur even when someone taking testosterone no longer menstruates. If pregnancy is possible and isn't wanted, an appropriate contraceptive method is still needed.

Read our Periods, Testosterone & Transition guide for trans men and transmasculine people for a more detailed look at bleeding, contraception, fertility and vaginal health while using testosterone.

TransHub also has a useful contraception guide for trans and gender-diverse people.

When should you seek medical advice?

Speak with a GP or other qualified healthcare professional if:

  • bleeding returns unexpectedly after periods have stopped while using testosterone
  • periods are very heavy or interfere with everyday life
  • you develop new or severe pelvic pain
  • your bleeding pattern changes significantly and you're unsure why
  • period-related distress is affecting your wellbeing

A gender-affirming healthcare professional can be particularly helpful if previous healthcare experiences have made it difficult to seek help.

What if you use the wrong words?

Inclusive language is a practice, not a test.

Many of us grew up hearing periods described only in feminine terms, so changing long-standing habits can take time.

If you make a mistake, correct it briefly and continue. A long apology can put the other person in the position of having to reassure you.

Listen when someone tells you what language they prefer and be willing to adjust.

Respect, accuracy and a willingness to learn are good starting points.

Inclusive language and period care

Gender-inclusive period care doesn't diminish the experiences of women and girls.

It recognises that menstrual health affects different people in different ways and that everyone deserves accurate information, suitable products and practical support.

We can talk plainly about period poverty, menstrual health inequities and the experiences of women and girls while also acknowledging transgender men, non-binary and gender-diverse people who menstruate.

At Period Shop, we believe period care should be guided by anatomy, flow, comfort and personal preference rather than assumptions about gender.

A period is something some bodies do. It doesn't define anyone's gender.

Related reading

Sources and further support

This article provides general educational information and isn't a substitute for personalised medical advice.