Trans men and the menopause

[Senso]

Hello. I’m new here and am looking for information and support.

My DP’s niece is 21 and in the process of transitioning from “her” to “they” to “him”. Currently she is “they”.

Whilst I’m glad they have the support they need from the family, it worries me greatly that the effects on the body are not being properly understood. IMO they are too young to fully grasp the enormity of the road ahead given that they are biologically female.

As a perimenopausal woman myself, I know that one simply does not fully comprehend just how big a change it is until you are going through it yourself. DP certainly does not but he is a man after all. However his sister has gone through menopause so she has experienced it.

I realise that it is not my place to say too much of my own personal opinion and DP’s sister is frankly a nightmare to deal with at the best of times so mostly I keep quiet. But I have made it clear to DP that whilst I am supportive of his niece on a human level, I will not collude in the delusion that she will ever be anything other than biologically female.

what worries me the most is the hormones. We know how they change the body and I cannot fathom how DPs sister isn’t more concerned about what will happen to her biologically female child when the time comes for a woman to go through the biggest hormonal change since puberty.

any advice welcome. TIA

Surely this scenario is possibly 30 years down the line? And I imagine there will be advancements in medicine by then.

I do find it difficult to keep myself in check when I see DP’s side of the family. I have to keep reminding myself that it is their madness, not mine.

maybe I am being pessimistic but do you really think so? If you consider how little has changed in medicine with regards to women’s health compared to that of men’s health I wouldn’t bet on things being all that different.

For example the options on prostate issues are vast. Not all available on the NHS granted but if you look into it, the level of treatment available is highly sophisticated. However treatment for gynaecological issues remain pretty basic by comparison.

The truth is that men’s health is given massive priority in terms of research - and I imagine this to be the case when it comes to transwomen too. VS transmen.

I don't think you're wrong OP. Also being perimenopausal myself, it's been a shock to realise just what our hormones do. I mean, I know it's often spoken about but when you start to experience the very big differences, it's a real shock - or at least it has been for me.

I agree re future research. I doubt very much indeed that women's bodies and how they react to male hormones will get much attention.

I don't have any advice at all. I've always found with these things that if they're not given oxygen or attention, sometimes they fade away. The problem is that some young people make their gender their whole identity so it's hard to take a step back from it once they're on the path. Does your niece have other interests or hobbies, outside a friendship group that might be quite pro-gender identity? Spending time with a broader group of peers might help?

I'm sorry for your niece though. Our young people aren't being given accurate or clear information, and the potential effects are just devastating.

It’s not thirty years down the track. She will likely experience symptoms of perimenopause when she starts taking testosterone. With all the potential increased health risks it involves.

if they go for surgery removal of the ovaries medically induces menopause immediately

This madness needs to end. It is shocking that some doctors refuse to tell these young people the long term health implications of massive hormone imbalances

I can’t believe this madness is still going on.

Out of interest, is Dneice autistic, OP?

This. Hormone therapy (plus possible surgery?) means she will be going into menopause now. There is already limited research I believe on how bones suffer because of this. I wonder if she knows this. At the very least, I would want her to build up her bones before doing anything that could then destroy them. And that's without all the other menopausal symptoms she'll experience. I hate this "treatment" so much. It is beyond cruel.

That’s exactly my concern. Men who take female hormones suffer fewer health consequences in the longterm than women who take male hormones. The reason being that traditional medicine has focused on the male body and biological response.

This is exactly the issue

Let's hope that your neice stops at "they" and quietly drops the further transition.

I thought it was trending out amongst the teenagers. I am a teacher and it has been a couple of years since seeing any transitioners.

I would just try to stay out of the drama. Contribute to it being a non-issue. But, yes I agree with you messing around with hormones is disturbing.

Not as far as I’m aware. ADHD and dyslexic diagnosed

Sinead and others have talked openly about the impact of testosterone on their hormone health. Gussie has too. You are right that it’s a nightmare.

it seems bonkers that’s there so much now about menopause but no one has joined the dots for trans identified females

That’s what I’m asking though. She is not my child so I don’t feel I can ask her these sorts of questions but do doctors really not inform their patients of the very serious consequences of artificially stopping oestrogen in a biological female in her 20s?

Sincere apologies for my ignorance - please could you tell me who Sinead and others are please

No. The dangerous side effects will kick in as soon as cross sex hormones are taken. Premature menopause,
Vaginal and uterine atrophy, osteoporosis, increased risk of uterine cancer, bladder problems, pain and increased risk of fractures, incontinence, the list is extensive.
Elaine Miller is an obstetric physiotherapist who has done extensive work on this. She has produced a number of videos and papers. Her work is counted as cpd for health professionals.

And that is before you get to all the changes to brain and mental health. All science has worked out is that this is a really bad idea

Sinead is a very vocal female detransitioned woman. You can find her on x but it would be better to google YouTube interviews.

she’s given a lot of Frank interviews about the lasting impact of testosterone on her body and also the lack of support for detransed women from health care professionals. There will be other detransed women you’ll find once you start looking.

Ritchie Heron is a male detransitioner who also talks about it from the male perspective

Sinead Watson

she’s done so many I’m struggling to find exactly which one would cover the lasting negative impacts of the testosterone to her body

Whilst trying to find one I came across this paper which compares the loss of sexual function and fertility to that experienced by cancer survivors. Given some of the drugs are cancer drugs, its pretty obvious.

i once saw a YouTube trans man describing needing to go on puberty blockers alongside their testosterone to stop their natural cycles

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0092623X.2025.2531167

That’s actually a really important paper I’d not seen before

Gussie is Elaine Miller. She specialises in pelvic floor and related health, and has had a lot to say about what she has seen of the effects of testosterone on the female body. Including vaginal atrophy and incontinence. Goes under “Gussie Grips” as well. She is brilliant!

It is hard not to feel intensely protective of these young women. The brutal truth is, they are finding their own path and there’s very little you can do except be as open as possible to them as human beings. You can definitely predict they are more likely to have significant health issues due to taking that crap, and due to consequences of surgery. So you can ask them practical non-intrusive questions about any support needed, say you’d like to be able to help if they are willing to share the information leaflets given to them. But ultimately.., I’m taking a drug that has unknown health impact in the long term and quite significant side effects (weight loss jabs) because it does something I want right now. I’d be horrified if anyone tried to prevent me taking it. She is 21, not 16.