Question: Halting Biology

Monster asks…

I’m a FAAB gendermixed/transqueer and I just can’t deal with getting periods anymore. I can’t keep this up, the regression back into a depressed pit of gender dysphoria every month, then re-learning how to build myself back up.

Going on T isn’t an option.

Going on pills or shots that will trick my body into thinking I’m pregnant isn’t an option. (because enhanced feminine features is the last thing that will make the dysphoria go away)

Are there other alternatives?

Thanks so much. So greatly appreciated! :D

Please post your response in the comments below.

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Posted by on September 1st, 2014 at 08:00 am

Category: questions 7 comments »

7 Responses to “Question: Halting Biology”

  1. Jello

    Yes. There is an option.

    There is an IUD that does contain a low dose of hormones in it. It does not effect the rest of your body, as it stay’s localized. They are branded as Mirena or Skyla. Once in place, they should prevent periods for years. I’ve heard some FTM guys have used them with good effect, because at least they don’t have to go through their cycles. Planned Parenthood, if you are in the US, is really good about them. They are expensive, and a bit ouchy to put in place, though.

    http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/intrauterine-device-iud-for-birth-control

    Other than the use of HRT, whether feminine or masculine, the only other safe and 100% option is a hysterectomy. This one is harder, but if you shopped doctors with reported symptoms of extreme Menorrhagia, extreme pain with your period. Might have to shop a lot of docs for that if you are young, and haven’t had children, but it can be done if you are looking for a permanent solution.

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  2. Xor

    Can’t recomand the IUD with hormones. I’m a transguy, tried out Mirena and it was horrible. Gained much weight in typical female bodyparts. It was bevore my outing and everyone asked me if I were pregnant. Hadn’t regular cycle, less bleeding, but cramps all the time (my head didn’t go well along with the idea to have something inside me, i guess). My moods were horrible too (depressed, moody and very weepy).

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  3. MEL

    You might try talking to your doctor about going on the mini pill without breaks so you never get your period. But it does come with a price.. You have to take it at the exact time every day. I had a heart to heart with my Obgyn and asked just how close to the same time you really had to take it. She said anymore then 30 min late and it could fail and I would likely ovulate. So they mean it when they say same time daily! The plus side of that one is the dose it TINY. Hence when you really have to be careful.

    There is also the possibility of using a steroid of some sort to stop it. This does not work for everyone and the dose can very greatly from person to person.. There is always side effects to consider with that too. But many women who take a daily steroid don’t have periods. I had to be on a daily inhaler for about 6 months while my lungs healed and after the first month I had no periods till I stopped the meds.

    Still it’s one of the things we have to deal with as ftm. Other then having the parts removed you are kinda stuck. Have you tried using like a diva cup to help with dealing with the blood? I know they can be worn far longer then a tampon and that’s not a lot I know but not having to deal with it as much might help you not think about it.
    I’ve just had to come to terms with it. I’m only 10 years away from menopause if I’m lucky.. So I’m just waiting it out myself. Good luck finding something that works for you. <3

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  4. anta

    I didn’t know that I was so superstitious that I actually think writing about this might somehow jinx me…

    I’ve been using the IUD (Mirena) for about a year now, and haven’t have problems with it. It can’t be recommended for everyone, though, since everyone’s bodies are different. If you happen to have a (close) female relative who uses one with no problems, that could indicate that you could use it too. (Then again, if you had such, you would already know of this option.)

    When I was getting the IUD, I was a bit worried because the doctor I spoke with (who knew I was specifically after getting rid of my periods) said that the IUD stops menstruation, no questions asked, even though according to what I had read, this was only a side effect and not something everyone gets. I’m just lucky that it’s worked for me I guess. *knocks on wood*

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    MEL replied:

    Wanted to add to what they said,
    It might not be a everyone thing but I know for me I used to do well with the progesterone BC methods when I was younger (15-22) but sometime around 23 or 24 I started having issues with breakthrough bleeding on them. By the time I was 28 I was bleeding non stop a light/med flow for 2 out of the 3 months in between shots. I also had this happen with the arm implant and Mirena. I have heard that the older you get the chances of that goes up.

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  5. Joe

    I know there is a shot you can get that will stop your cycle. My mother had a very bad car accident when I was young and she was hospitalized for three months. I asked her if she needed any girly items after she came to the second month and she told me that they had given her something to stop her periods. She didn’t have a cycle for a year and a half after that. I will have to ask her what it was but it is likely she will not remember seeing as how she was pretty badly banged up.

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  6. Murielle

    Nexplanon, Mirena (or Skyla) are the best bet. They do not usually cause any of the unwanted “female” side effects (like tender/sore breasts, slight weight gain), but the most common side effect is an *irregular* menses before stopping it completely.

    And when I say irregular, I mean: you can spot every day, have random periods, have no period, have random spotting – the whole gamut is normal.

    Everyone is different, as the saying goes. You may try one and it stops your menses right away. You might have one for 1-3 years and the bleeding never actually stops, but becomes very light. Or, you can’t stand the random spotting. One method may work better than the other.

    Try Nexplanon first, in my opinion, for at least six months to a year, before placing something in your uterus. It’s just a more comfortable procedure.

    – Speaking from my work in reproductive health centers as a counselor and clinician assistant. ^_^

    [Reply]


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