Reproductive health myths and facts for intersex, trans, and gender non-conforming people in Kenya
By Lolyne Ongeri,
Reproductive health covers many areas, including fertility, contraception, STIs, menopause, and more. Understanding it is key to making informed choices about one’s body and well-being. Yet too often, myths and misconceptions cloud the truth, leaving people confused or misinformed.
A major challenge is that reproductive health advice usually assumes gender, anatomy, and needs are the same. In Kenya, this “one-size-fits-all” approach is deeply embedded in public services, policy debates, and even community support. For intersex, trans, and gender-nonconforming (ITGNC) people, the impact is especially harmful because it can change health-seeking behaviours such as missed screenings, or incorrect assumptions by providers, denial of care, or health messages that simply don’t apply.
By addressing myths and sharing facts, we hope to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to effectively take charge of their reproductive health.
Myth 1- Hormone therapy replaces reproductive health care
Fact: Hormone therapy does not remove the need for reproductive health screening and preventive care. If you are taking gender-affirming hormones, you still need reproductive health services relevant to the organs you have, such as cervical screening, prostate checks, STI testing, contraception counselling and cancer screening where relevant. Kenyan clinical guidance and family planning standards remain organ-based for a reason: screening depends on anatomy and exposure, not only on gender identity. This approach ensures that individuals receive appropriate care based on their biological and physiological characteristics.
Why this matters: Many ITGNC people avoid clinics after starting hormones because providers and health systems do not offer respectful, gender-affirming care. That gap increases the risk of late detection of cancers and of untreated STIs. Health providers should explicitly ask about body parts and screening history rather than assuming needs from individuals’ gender identity.
Myth 2-Only Women Menstruate
Fact: People who identify as men, nonbinary, or intersex can menstruate. Some cisgender women may not. Menstruation is biological.
Why this matters: Period stigma and lack of access to menstrual products are well-documented in Kenya. Studies show menstruation commonly disrupts school attendance and educational outcomes; these impacts are worse for people who are already marginalized. Public menstrual health programs must be inclusive of trans men, nonbinary people, and intersex people, in language, product distribution, and facilities. We developed an inclusive pad for intersex and trans individuals who menstruate. This new product, designed to harness menstrual hygiene for intersex persons, represents a significant step towards ensuring the human dignity of intersex individuals. Learn More about Inclusifit, here.
Practical steps: Menstrual health messaging and supplies distributed in schools and clinics should be gender-neutral and explicitly state that anyone who bleeds may need support.
Myth 3- Gender-affirming surgery eliminates fertility or the need for family-planning conversations
Fact: Fertility and the possibility of pregnancy depend on which organs remain after surgery and on prior fertility preservation steps. Some procedures reduce fertility; others do not. Many people who have had surgery can still conceive or cause conception.
Why this matters: Family planning guidelines and counselling need to include discussions on fertility preservation, contraception and parenting options for ITGNC clients. These conversations must be part of pre-surgical counselling and follow-up care. Clarity protects bodily autonomy and prevents avoidable distress.
Myth 4-STIs only spread in male-female sexual intercourse
Fact: STIs spread through genital, anal, oral, and skin-to-skin contact, no matter the genders of the people involved. Transmission risk is about practices and exposures, not identities.
Kenyan context: Prevention campaigns and testing services in Kenya have been effective in some areas but often rely on heteronormative framing. That leaves ITGNC people underinformed about risk and testing options. Healthcare facilities and outreach must broaden language to include ITGNC individuals and pack safer-sex guidelines for the full range of practices.
Myth 5- Reproductive health equals the ability to have children
Fact: Reproductive health is broader: sexual health, contraception, menstrual care, fertility options, cancer screening, menopause care, and post-operative follow-up all belong here.
Why this matters: When policymakers and providers narrow the focus to childbearing alone they erase many needs common to ITGNC people such as hormone interactions, post-surgical care, mental health, safe pregnancy care for trans men and intersex parents, and age-related screening.
Myth 6- You can tell what someone needs by looking at them
Fact: You cannot reliably infer a person’s anatomy, medical history, or reproductive health needs from their appearance or gender presentation.
Why it matters: Discrimination and hostile attitudes can make ITGNC people avoid clinics, misreport symptoms, or receive unsafe care. Reports from rights groups show that the ongoing stigma in Kenyan health services can lead to the denial of care. Improving provider training on respectful, confidential intake and anatomy-based screening questions is essential.
A few important recent developments in Kenya
Legal and policy landscapes are shifting in pockets: 2025 saw the government gazette a sample birth notification that includes intersex recognition, a step toward visibility for intersex people. That development creates an opening for better clinical protocols and legal protections, but it is only a start. See the document here.
International reviews and mapping show Kenya, like many countries, still lacks robust protections and specific clinical guidance for intersex minors and for gender-affirming care; activists and clinicians are pushing for standards that centre consent and bodily integrity.
What works- brief recommendations
For health providers and clinics
Use anatomy-centred screening checklists, not identity assumptions. Ask respectfully about body parts, surgery history, hormones, and screening history.
Provide gender-neutral language in forms and signage. Train staff to use chosen names and pronouns.
Integrate mental-health screening into reproductive health visits.
For policymakers and funders
Ensure national SRH guidelines explicitly include ITGNC people, with clear language on screening, fertility counselling, and post-operative care.
Fund menstrual product access and gender-neutral WASH facilities in schools and public clinics.
For ITGNC communities and advocates
Demand language and data that reflect your needs in county health plans.
Push for confidential, community-safe testing and peer navigation programs. Use trusted community organisations when navigating services; they often know which clinics are safe.
