TRANS AND NON-BINARY CONSIDERATIONS
Embracing inclusion and diversity
Analysis of the 2021 Australian Census reveals that 43,220 respondents, comprising 0.17% of the population, marked the non-binary sex option on their forms. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has indicated that the non-binary sex category does not provide data that is of sufficient quality to be used.
The responses suggest a lack of consistent understanding of non-binary sex, with varying interpretations among different individuals. As such, it cannot be used to measure diverse sexualities or to interpret the number of people with varying sex characteristics.
Transgender: An umbrella terms that describe people whose gender is different to the sex assigned to them at birth¹.
Non-binary: Genders that sit outside of the man/woman binary are often called non-binary. This includes people whose gender is not exclusively female or male. A person might identify solely as non-binary, or relate to non-binary as an umbrella term and consider themselves genderfluid, genderqueer, trans masculine, trans feminine, agender, bigender, or something else¹.
People of the trans and non-binary community can experience menopause symptoms if they have previously been exposed to oestrogen (whether from their ovaries or from medication).
People taking hormones to feminise will usually take oestrogen and testosterone blockers. To masculinise, testosterone is required. People taking these hormones are recommended to have regular health checks.
Trans-men and non-binary people with ovaries may experience menopause, particularly if they have had oestrogen exposure during puberty. Currently, there is limited data about menopause and trans-people.
Most menopausal symptoms occur due to a drop in oestrogen levels. As gender-affirming hormones are typically given lifelong, most people taking gender-affirming hormone therapy will not experience menopausal symptoms.
There is usually no need for trans-women taking oestrogen to cease treatment; if they do, menopausal symptoms will often occur.
If you are trans or non-binary and symptoms have interfered with your health and quality of life, it is a good idea to make an appointment to see a medical specialist in trans and non-binary health.
1. Pride in Diversity. Glossary of terms. Retrieved September 10, 2024, from https://www.prideindiversity.com.au/resources/glossary/.
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Embracing the needs of the trans community.
