A friend recently shared a meme stating: “Hey guys, if you’re embarrassed about buying tampons, no one thinks they’re for you.” It’s frustrating, but honestly, who cares if they do? I felt compelled to chime in that some men do, in fact, menstruate. It’s a simple truth.
An anonymous commenter retorted that reminding people about transgender men and nonbinary individuals who experience menstruation doesn’t need to be included “in every single period post ever.” They went on to say, “Mostly women get periods. More cis women exist than whoever else you think gets periods. It feels like a ‘what about MEN though’ on every women’s post.”
To that commenter, I’d say it’s crucial to include everyone in this discussion. This meme wasn’t directed solely at women; it urged men to mature and stop acting like jerks when purchasing menstrual products. But we need to broaden the conversation. Men must confront the stigma that menstruation is dirty, solely a female issue, or something that undermines their masculinity. They need to understand that other men can and do menstruate, and there’s nothing shameful about it. It’s perfectly acceptable for people to assume the tampons a man is purchasing are for him.
Including Everyone in the Conversation
So, what about men? We must ensure that when we discuss men, we include transgender men and nonbinary individuals. In addition to confronting their egos, cisgender men need to shed their homophobia and transphobia. When I teach about LGBTQ topics or share related content on social media, guess who seldom shows up? Straight, cisgender men. It’s not because they are emotionally intelligent or confident; it’s often because discussions about LGBTQ issues make them uncomfortable.
Our culture has perpetuated toxic masculinity, and it’s time to dismantle it. The outdated mindset that associates masculinity with aggression and femininity with weakness must be tossed aside. Trans men are men, and nonbinary individuals may identify as male, embodying a mix of genders.
Being a man isn’t defined by anatomy, and it can certainly include menstruation. So to the commenter who doesn’t understand, this meme was not a women’s post. Moreover, just because more cisgender women menstruate than others doesn’t mean we should ignore non-cis individuals. It’s not just about “what I think”; I know that many men bleed. We must ensure those who are not cisgender feel included, especially when they face societal shame surrounding menstrual products.
The Impact of Menstruation on Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals
For transgender men and nonbinary individuals, menstruation can be a distressing experience that exacerbates feelings of body dysphoria. The physical discomfort—bloating, cramps, and breast tenderness—can intensify feelings of self-loathing. During these times, my depression often deepens, and my sense of worth diminishes. So yes, I will continue to voice my perspective on period discussions until I see inclusive dialogue.
What about transgender women who will never experience menstruation? While bleeding can be an unpleasant ordeal, some trans women feel deep sadness knowing their bodies cannot fulfill what their minds and hearts desire. We can’t say “all girls get periods” just as we can’t say “boys don’t.”
Encouraging Acceptance and Understanding
To those guys embarrassed to buy tampons: It’s perfectly fine if someone thinks they’re for you. Men can bleed, and that doesn’t make you any less of a man. Having a period doesn’t strip away masculinity, and there’s no reason to feel ashamed of your body. We should not only encourage boys to buy menstrual products for those who need them but also remind them that it’s okay if they need to use them too.
I tried explaining this to my narrow-minded commenter, but they replied, “I’m unmoved by your point of view. My opinion isn’t changing.” That’s unfortunate, because just like a tampon, outdated beliefs need to be changed before they cause harm to you or someone you care about.
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Conclusion
In summary, it’s essential to recognize that periods are not exclusive to cisgender women. Transgender men and nonbinary individuals also experience menstruation, and this reality should be normalized. Men should feel empowered to support those who menstruate, including themselves, without shame or embarrassment.