Yes, certain components of FTM (female-to-male) bottom surgery will stop menstrual periods.
Understanding FTM Bottom Surgery and Menstruation
"Bottom surgery" for transgender men is an umbrella term that encompasses several gender-affirming surgical procedures designed to align physical anatomy with gender identity. Not all procedures included in bottom surgery directly affect menstruation. The key procedures that impact periods are those involving the reproductive organs.
The primary surgical procedure that definitively stops menstrual periods is a hysterectomy. This surgery involves the surgical removal of the uterus. Once the uterus is removed, menstruation ceases permanently, and the individual will no longer be able to become pregnant.
Additionally, an oophorectomy, the removal of the ovaries, is often performed alongside a hysterectomy or as part of a broader gender-affirming surgical plan. When the ovaries are removed, the body no longer produces estrogen. This cessation of estrogen production further supports the stopping of periods and can also lead to changes in hormone levels, potentially allowing for a reduction in the amount of masculinizing hormones, such as testosterone, that an individual takes.
Other procedures commonly associated with FTM bottom surgery, such as metoidioplasty (construction of a phallus from existing clitoral tissue), phalloplasty (construction of a phallus using tissue grafts from other body parts), vaginectomy (removal of the vagina), or scrotoplasty (creation of a scrotum), do not directly cause periods to stop. Their purpose is to reshape the external genitalia.
Key Procedures and Their Effects
To clarify the impact of different surgical components, consider the following table:
| Surgical Procedure | Primary Effect on Menstruation | Other Significant Impacts |
|---|---|---|
| Hysterectomy | Directly stops menstrual periods | Prevents future pregnancies |
| Oophorectomy | Stops periods (by eliminating estrogen production) | Ends natural estrogen production, may influence testosterone dosage needs |
| Vaginectomy | No direct effect | Closes the vaginal canal |
| Phalloplasty/Metoidioplasty | No direct effect | Creates a penis |
| Scrotoplasty | No direct effect | Creates a scrotum |
Why is this important for Transgender Men?
For many transgender men, stopping periods is a significant step in their transition. Menstruation can be a source of gender dysphoria, causing distress and discomfort because it aligns with a female experience. Undergoing a hysterectomy, often combined with an oophorectomy, helps to alleviate this dysphoria by physically aligning the body more closely with their masculine identity and stopping a biological process often associated with femaleness.
For more comprehensive information on gender-affirming care, individuals can explore resources from reputable medical organizations such as the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) or leading medical centers like UCSF Health.
