Some people with our conditions are able to become pregnant (like many women with CAH.) And some women might have a small uterus that can grow and shed lining and have a period (like some women with Swyer’s.)
However, many women with our conditions won’t ever have periods or the potential to become pregnant via sexual intimacy.
However, women and men around the world worry a lot about pregnancy… especially having an unplanned pregnancy. And, in relationships, it is pretty common to talk about how you are going to avoid pregnancy—especially if you and your partner aren’t ready for a child.
If this happens to you and you don’t have a period or aren’t able to become pregnant, here is an example of words you can use.
“We are covered birth control-wise [and I don’t have periods.] Unless we’re both tested for STIs and are committed to only being sexual with only one another, we should use condoms.”
If you are a young woman with AIS, Swyer’s, 5ARD, or a condition where you don’t have a uterus, ovary, or make sperm, you won’t need to worry about unwanted pregnancy. You and your partner might even find this a relief or even a benefit!
“No periods? No problem!”
With sexual intimacy with a partner, sometimes having a period comes up. Some women and men might not like to have sex if the woman is on the period. Sometimes, women and men don’t mind.
When talking about periods (whether you have one or not) with a partner, remember that many women don’t have periods for some reason or another. Some choose to take pills to avoid periods and others have other conditions that mean they don’t have periods.
If your partner asks if you are on your period (or asks to know when it comes), it’s okay to say that you don’t have them, and your doctor says it’s perfectly fine for you. If you later want to discuss fertility and share your condition, you can definitely do that when the time is right—But don’t worry! There’s no need to share more if it’s not the right time for you.