LGBTQ+ & Menopause

Read on to learn more about LGBTQ+ & Menopause.

What Happens When Trans Women Experience Symptoms Of Menopause? 

When people talk about menopause, it’s assumed that only cis women experience it. But that’s not the case at all. Even those who identify as LGBTQ+ can experience the same.

With the government estimating 200,000 to 500,000 trans people in the UK, it’s expected that those who would undergo gender confirmation treatment will continue to rise dramatically, as it had since 2016. 

That’s why this is a meaningful conversation to be had. Regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, everyone deserves to have the same treatment and care for their health concerns.

Why Do Trans Women Experience Menopause?

When trans women stop hormone therapy, their bodies react the same way as those of cis women because both involve a sudden drop in estrogen levels. As such, they experience symptoms typical of menopause, even if the root cause differs.

Some transgender women also choose to lower their estrogen dose as they age. This can also trigger menopausal symptoms, although less severe if their body is still producing testosterone. 

The Challenges Transgender Women Face

Unlike with cis women, the challenge doesn’t end in dealing with menopause symptoms. 

On top of that, it’s also harder for trans women to keep themselves healthy because of the following:

Discrimination

Imagine fearing going to a doctor because of how you’ll be treated. Sadly, trans people have a genuine basis for these fears.

According to this 2015 survey, 33% of their respondents went through a bad healthcare experience because of their sexuality. Some were verbally harassed, while others were refused treatment altogether.

That’s why it’s not surprising how 24% of them avoided going to the doctor altogether. Meanwhile, 33% didn’t seek medical attention because of the cost.

The same survey also talked about how 13% of them were also denied gender-specific services like mammograms. Considering the increased risk of breast cancer that menopausal women face, this could be potentially fatal.

Trans women and the entire LGBTQ community need healthcare, too. Unfortunately, the entire healthcare system has been ignoring those needs. Medical professionals tend to think of them as transgender instead of as people who may need medical attention.

For trans women of color, it’s even worse. Although trans people, in general, suffer from discrimination, existing issues on racism make it harder for them to access high-quality health care.

Lack of inclusivity

The ongoing assumption is that everyone who goes through menopause is straight. That’s how general practitioners were trained (and continue to be trained) even though many more people now identify as trans women or trans men.

Although this can also be because of discrimination, not using inclusive language may also be to blame. How can you address something in the first place if you don’t recognize it exists?

This is a huge issue. A trans man, for example, may suffer from anxiety because menopause symptoms are a constant reminder that he was born in the wrong body.

And without the sound advice of a medical professional, a trans woman may transition into menopause unprepared as she lowers her estrogen dose or stops  HRT altogether.

How we talk about menopause is vital so everyone will be seen and heard. With more people expected to identify as part of the LGBTQ community, general practitioners need to:

• Recognize that menopause isn’t exclusive to cis women. This means keeping in mind that the patient may have other or different concerns.
• Be open to hearing about the experience of the LGBTQ. Different experiences require a different response. GPs need to realize that it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation.

Higher susceptibility to heart risks

According to a study published in the European Heart Journal, older trans women who used hormone replacement therapy are at a higher risk of developing stroke, blood clots, and other cardiovascular issues than cisgender women.

This is true no matter the form of estrogen used. Today, many prefer estradiol. It’s what cis women also use for managing menopausal symptoms.

But if you’re a trans woman over 40, you’re better off with non-oral forms of estradiol like creams to reduce the risk of blood clots.

How Can Members of the LGBTQ Manage Menopause?

If you’re facing the challenges above, here are two things you can do:

Have a heart-healthy lifestyle

Regardless of your sexual orientation and gender identity, this will always be useful. But for a member of the LGBTQ community, it’s even more critical.

Because you’re more prone to heart-related risks compared to cisgender men and women, you need to do things to reduce your odds of contracting these risks:

Exercise regularly.

Not only does exercise improve blood sugar levels and your mental health, but it also promotes cardiovascular health. It’s also great for protecting against blood clots. 

According to one study, regular exercise can help reduce the risk of developing blood clots by 39%. 

Don’t just go for any type of exercise, though. Choose low-impact exercise to protect your bones and prevent injuries.

Eat foods that are good for the heart.

They say you are what you eat. There’s some truth in this because how you manage your diet will affect you a lot.

To further reduce your risk, you need to protect your health by consuming food known to be good for your heart, like:

• Whole grains
• Berries
• Tofu
• Leafy greens
• Dark chocolate
• Chia seeds
• Flax seeds

At the same time, you should also moderate eating food like red meat, white bread, and soda. These are bad for you and may reverse any effort you make to keep yourself healthy.

Take care of your mental health.

Many mental health issues are related to heart disease, including chronic stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mood disorders, and anxiety disorders.

This means you should take care of your body and your mental health. Don’t be afraid to seek professional help to address your issues.

Seek medical attention and employment in places that value inclusivity

Unfortunately, this is out of our hands most of the time. 

The health industry as an institution should take action to make healthcare more inclusive to everyone. For most workplaces, this is also true. Both have a long way to go in making sure that members of the LGBTQ community feel safe and protected. 

But that doesn’t mean that everyone’s like that. If possible, ask other members of the community for recommendations on GPs and employment.

If not, talk to HR about what you want changed. At the very least, you can educate them on using your proper pronouns. If you’re taking hormones, you should talk about it, too.

Because hormone disruptions can induce menopausal symptoms, you may need special accommodations, like better ventilation and flexible working hours.

We have a long way to go. No matter the situation, the right move will always be to seek help.