An individual who proudly identifies as a "non-binary trans menstruator" has revealed what it's like to have a period when you're not a woman.
In an essay for the Huffington Post, LGBTQ+ activist Cass Bliss opened up about the trials and tribulations of menstruating when you are not a woman and do not use women's bathrooms.
They wrote: "Have you ever been in a bathroom stall and needed to throw away a used tampon or pad, but realized there was nowhere to put it?
"I have - almost every single day that I have my period. Why? Because I use the men's bathroom."
Cass then went on to explain that although they have a uterus, they do not identify as either male or female, but outside of the gender binary.
However, in a world where periods are still inherently associated with women, this is not without its challenges.
Cass explained that they first realized that they were nonbinary when they were a child, however, they did not have the language available at the time to articulate their identity.
They explained that growing up, they described themselves as a "tomboy", but eventually, they reached an age where that term was no longer acceptable.
While growing up is not without its challenges regardless of your gender identity, Cass explained that they really struggled when they got their period.
"I saw my stained underwear like a bloodied flag of surrender I was forced to fly as I left behind the freedom of childhood androgyny," they wrote. "As my breasts grew and my hips widened, I started feeling discomfort with my body's changes - discomfort that went far beyond the standard awkwardness of adolescence."
What Cass is describing here is known as dysphoria, which is what trans people feel when they realize that their bodies do not match their gender identity.
Now 25, Cass is finally comfortable with their body and has come to embrace living in between the male and female ends of the gender spectrum.
"My ideal body is one that turns the idea of gender on its head and blends the false line between woman and man," they wrote. "I am happiest when I am living in the in-between."
"The persistent gendered messages I regularly encounter hit me like thousands of metal slivers piercing through my skin: the feminine hygiene signs, the lack of disposal bins in men's restrooms, the sanitized advertisements featuring thin white women preserving their femininity with dainty white pads and periwinkle 'blood'," they wrote.
"If you thought just having cramps and mood swings was bad, try experiencing all of that while literally having a sign hanging over your head telling everyone around you that you don't belong."
Cass explained that prior to transitioning, they would use the female bathroom when they had their period because of their fear of being outed in the men's bathroom.
They explained that they can now no longer use the women's bathroom because of their more masculine appearance, which means that they have to struggle to tend to their period in the men's.
"My worst experiences with dysphoria have always come during my periods - not because I have to deal with the bleeding, but because my chest swells up significantly," Cass revealed.
"For cisgender women who menstruate, tenderness and swelling of the chest can be an uncomfortable, but unseen part of having a period; but for trans menstruators, the effects are a bit more complex."
They went on to explain that they are currently wearing a binder - a fabric device that flattens their chest - until they are able to have their breasts removed.
However, when Cass is on their period, their breasts are often too large to be contained by a binder, forcing them to wear a sports bra, which can lead to them being misgendered.
While there are some options available to Cass - such as a hysterectomy, or testosterone (which is not guaranteed to stop periods) - they ultimately hope that by sharing their experience, it will inform people that all nonbinary people want a world without gendered period products.
"Just stop gendering periods and let us menstruate in peace," they wrote.
