Going through puberty and getting their first period can be challenging for anyone, and being transgender adds another emotional layer to that. It can be confusing and stressful when what is going on in their body biologically does not match how they are feeling and identify. The most important thing for your preteen or teen when learning about periods is to know that they’re normal and that having a period doesn’t mean that they have to identify as a girl or woman. Not every person who identifies as a woman menstruates and not all people who menstruate identify as a woman. To learn more about navigating menstruation with a preteen or teen that identifies as transgender, visit BLOOM’s Menstruation 101 page.