Transgendering Menstruation: En kvalitativ studie av uppfattningar kring menstruation i relation till transidentitet i Sverige.

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to shed light on transgender persons’ experiences and perceptions of menstruation, and thereby identify and show how menstruation, as well as gender, is culturally constructed. In doing so the aim is to create a broader understanding of the meanings and nuances that menstruation carries. The data has been collected through semi-structured interviews with four self identified transgender people. The study emanates from the viewpoint that gender norms and structurers are reproduced within a heterosexual binary system within the Swedish society, as well as many others. Accordingly, the data was analysed with support from theories about performativity and transgendering. Theories on stigma and abject was also used to analyse the individual experiences of menstruation. Among the several conclusions that were made, these are the main ones: 1. Being a transgender person affects the experiences of menstruation because of current gender norms, an example of this being the fear of being misgendered or outed if the menstrual body becomes visible; 2. There are experiences of menstruation that are not related to the transgender identity that affected the respondents, e.g. the bodily experiences of pain, PMS and bleeding; 3. Several norms, including the female gender norm, were identified in relation to menstruation: such as a norm of reproduction and a norm of good health.