Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCan Men Get Pregnant?Cisgender MenTransgender WomenTransgender Men and Gender Nonconforming PeopleFinding an LGBTQ-Friendly DoctorFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Can Men Get Pregnant?
Cisgender Men
Transgender Women
Transgender Men and Gender Nonconforming People
Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Doctor
Frequently Asked Questions
With so many cisgender females on the birth control pill, you might have found yourself wondering what happens if a cisgender man takes birth control? The short answer: not much.
There is currently no birth control medication for people assigned male at birth. If a cisgender male takes a birth control pill once or twice, he’s not likely to notice any difference. Taking birth control will also not speed up the process of feminization for people assigned male at birth who are trying to transition to being female.
This article will review what cisgender males, trans males, and gender nonconforming people can expect if they take a hormonal birth control pill.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Most cisgender men and people assigned male at birth do not have a uterus or ovaries, and therefore cannot get pregnant.
However, trans men and gender nonconforming people may be able to get pregnant if they have a uterus and ovaries, even if they are on hormone therapy and taking testosterone. Many of them take hormonal birth control to avoid getting pregnant.
Cisgender men can still get their partners pregnant, so it’s important to use amale birth control option, like condoms.
What Cisgender and Gender Nonconforming MeanIn short, cisgender means that your biological sex aligns with yourgender identity. For example, if you are a biological male who was assigned male at birth, and you identify as a man, you are cisgender.Gender nonconformingmeans that the way a person presents themselves is not what would be expected for someone of their biological sex assigned at birth.
What Cisgender and Gender Nonconforming Mean
In short, cisgender means that your biological sex aligns with yourgender identity. For example, if you are a biological male who was assigned male at birth, and you identify as a man, you are cisgender.Gender nonconformingmeans that the way a person presents themselves is not what would be expected for someone of their biological sex assigned at birth.
In short, cisgender means that your biological sex aligns with yourgender identity. For example, if you are a biological male who was assigned male at birth, and you identify as a man, you are cisgender.
Gender nonconformingmeans that the way a person presents themselves is not what would be expected for someone of their biological sex assigned at birth.
If you’re a cisgender male who takes a birth control pill intended for females on one or two occasions, you’re not likely to notice any side effects.If you take birth control pills regularly, you may notice some mild side effects.
Birth Control Options
Right now, there are only two effective contraception options for cisgender males:condomsandvasectomies. Unfortunately, some people find condoms uncomfortable, and vasectomies are only right for people looking for a permanent form of birth control.
According to the Male Contraceptive Initiative, birth control for cisgender males is likely five to 20 years away from hitting the American market.
There’s a common myth that taking birth control pills can help trans women speed up the process of feminization. Although birth control pills contain female hormones, they will not speed up the process oftransitioningfrom male to female.
The type and amount of hormones found in birth control pills are different from those used ingender-affirming hormone therapy. If you are trying to transition from male to female, find a trusted, LGBTQ+ friendly healthcare provider who can discuss the type of hormone therapy that will help you transition.
If a transgender male or gender nonconforming person still ovulates and has a menstrual cycle, taking a hormonal birth control pill will affect their cycle and prevent pregnancy in the same way it does for cisgender females.
Some transgender men and gender nonconforming people choose to take birth control as a form of gender affirmation—they like being able to skip their periods. For others, however, having to take birth control can worsengender dysphoria.
Transgender men and gender nonconforming people who still ovulate can get pregnant any time they’re having unprotected (condomless) penis-in-vagina sex. This is true even if the person has been taking testosterone.
A small 2018 study found that 1.6% of trans men who responded to a survey had conceived while taking testosterone.
It can be difficult to determine when you’re ovulating, especially if your menstrual cycle is irregular. Because of that, everyone with a uterus and ovaries who does not want to become pregnant should use a birth control option if they are having condomless penis-in-vagina sex.
If you are not able or willing to take female hormones, talk to your doctor about non-hormonal contraception options, including IUDs and condoms.
Taking charge of your sexual health is important—for cisgender people, transgender people, and gender nonconforming people alike.
The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) is a national organization that maintains adatabaseof healthcare providers that are committed to serving the LGBTQ+ community.
A Word From Verywell
Managing your sexual health can be challenging for anyone, especially people who are members of the LGBTQ+ community.
If you are a trans man or gender nonconforming person, it’s important to know that you can still conceive if you have a uterus and ovaries, even if you’re on testosterone. Talk with your healthcare provider about what contraceptives are a good fit for you.
If you are in the process of transitioning to female, remember that taking birth control is not a replacement for gender-affirmation hormone therapy. When in doubt, find an LGBTQ+ friendly healthcare provider with whom you’re comfortable having vulnerable and honest conversations.
Frequently Asked QuestionsCisgender males cannot get pregnant, since they do not have ovaries or a uterus. Trans men and gender nonconforming people who still have a uterus and ovaries can get pregnant, even if they’re on hormone therapy. It’s important for everyone to take steps to avoid unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.Yes, trans men can get pregnant, even if they have started taking testosterone. A small 2018 study found that 1.6% of trans men who responded to a survey had conceived while they were taking testosterone.If you are a trans man or a gender nonconforming person having penis-in-vagina sex, be sure to use a contraceptive to avoid unplanned pregnancy. If you are trying to conceive, talk to your doctor about the best steps for you.
Cisgender males cannot get pregnant, since they do not have ovaries or a uterus. Trans men and gender nonconforming people who still have a uterus and ovaries can get pregnant, even if they’re on hormone therapy. It’s important for everyone to take steps to avoid unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.
Yes, trans men can get pregnant, even if they have started taking testosterone. A small 2018 study found that 1.6% of trans men who responded to a survey had conceived while they were taking testosterone.If you are a trans man or a gender nonconforming person having penis-in-vagina sex, be sure to use a contraceptive to avoid unplanned pregnancy. If you are trying to conceive, talk to your doctor about the best steps for you.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Planned Parenthood.What happens if a guy takes birth control?Male Contraceptive Initiative.What is in development?Power to Decide.How birth control can help with gender dysphoria.Light A.Family planning and contraception use in transgender men.Contraception. 2018;98(4):266-269. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2018.06.006
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Planned Parenthood.What happens if a guy takes birth control?Male Contraceptive Initiative.What is in development?Power to Decide.How birth control can help with gender dysphoria.Light A.Family planning and contraception use in transgender men.Contraception. 2018;98(4):266-269. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2018.06.006
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Planned Parenthood.What happens if a guy takes birth control?Male Contraceptive Initiative.What is in development?Power to Decide.How birth control can help with gender dysphoria.Light A.Family planning and contraception use in transgender men.Contraception. 2018;98(4):266-269. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2018.06.006
Planned Parenthood.What happens if a guy takes birth control?
Male Contraceptive Initiative.What is in development?
Power to Decide.How birth control can help with gender dysphoria.
Light A.Family planning and contraception use in transgender men.Contraception. 2018;98(4):266-269. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2018.06.006
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