Menopause and the LGBTQ+ Experience: Honoring Pride, Expanding the Conversation

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate LGBTQ+ identities, uplift diverse voices, and advocate for inclusion and equality in all aspects of life. It’s also an opportunity to shine a light on conversations that too often remain in the margins. One of those is menopause.When most people think of menopause, the image that comes to mind is a cisgender woman in midlife navigating hot flashes, mood swings, and hormonal shifts. But menopause doesn't only happen to cis women. It's a deeply personal and often misunderstood transition that impacts a wide range of people, including trans men, nonbinary individuals, intersex people, and queer women.This Pride Month, it's time to expand our definition of menopause, center the voices of those too often left out, and create space for everyone to be seen and supported during this significant life transition.

Menopause Beyond the Gender Binary

Menopause is a biological process typically marking the end of menstruation, usually between the ages of 45 and 55. While most commonly associated with cisgender women, many others experience menopause due to natural aging, medical interventions, or hormone therapy changes.

This includes:

• Trans men who have not had full hysterectomies

• Nonbinary and gender non-conforming individuals

• Intersex individuals with ovary-related anatomy

• Queer women who may face additional disparities in care and support

Too often, menopause care and education focus solely on women’s experiences, which creates barriers for anyone who doesn’t fit neatly into that category. It's time to acknowledge that menopause isn't just a women's issue, it's a human issue.

Challenges for LGBTQ+ People in Menopause

1. Accessing Affirming Healthcare

Many LGBTQ+ individuals report feeling misunderstood, ignored, or disrespected by medical professionals. This creates real barriers to accessing care for menopause symptoms. For trans men and nonbinary people, this may include being misgendered, having to educate providers, or being dismissed entirely.

2. Mental Health and Minority Stress

The hormonal shifts of menopause can impact mental health, compounding existing stressors like discrimination or lack of social support. LGBTQ+ people already experience higher rates of anxiety and depression due to societal stigma; menopause can amplify these challenges.

3. Gender Dysphoria

Physical symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, or even the return of bleeding after stopping testosterone can be triggering for individuals dealing with gender dysphoria. These experiences are rarely acknowledged in typical menopause care.

4. Lack of Representation and Community

There are few support groups, educational materials, or public conversations that reflect the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in menopause. This invisibility can create feelings of isolation, shame, or confusion during a time that already brings physical and emotional upheaval.

Hormone Therapy and the Menopause Journey

For those undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy, menopause symptoms may be delayed, altered, or masked. For instance:

• Trans men on testosterone often experience amenorrhea (loss of periods), which can obscure the onset of menopause.

• If testosterone therapy is paused or stopped, menopausal symptoms may emerge, often without adequate guidance or support.

• Research on hormone therapy and menopause in trans and nonbinary individuals is scarce, leaving providers with little direction and patients with unanswered questions.There is an urgent need for inclusive, evidence-based research that supports all people experiencing hormonal transitions, regardless of gender identity.

What Inclusion Looks Like During Pride and Beyond

Pride Month is about visibility, belonging, and justice. Those principles apply to menopause, too. Here’s how we can build a more inclusive menopause experience:

• Use inclusive language: Say "people experiencing menopause" rather than "women in menopause."

• Provide affirming care: Train providers on LGBTQ+ health, including the impact of gender identity and hormone therapy.

• Build supportive workplaces: Ensure that menopause-related policies reflect the needs of all employees, not just cisgender women.

• Center diverse stories: Share and elevate LGBTQ+ voices in menopause conversations.

• Create inclusive spaces: Offer support groups and resources that explicitly welcome all gender identities and sexual orientations.

Stories That Build Understanding

Representation is powerful. When LGBTQ+ individuals share their menopause stories, it fosters understanding and shifts culture. Whether it’s a trans man navigating night sweats while on testosterone, or a nonbinary person advocating for inclusive workplace benefits, these narratives matter. They deserve to be heard, not just during Pride Month, but every month.

Keep the Conversation Going

At MiDOViA, we are committed to creating menopause-friendly environments where everyone is seen, supported, and empowered. This Pride Month, let’s broaden the lens on menopause, challenge exclusionary narratives, and celebrate the full spectrum of midlife experiences.Together, we can make menopause more inclusive, with empathy, equity, and pride.

Resources

• National Center for Transgender Equality

• [LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Menopause Support Groups (Facebook, Reddit, etc.)]

• GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality