After receiving some information from an older trans fem, I'm starting to very much doubt that trans fems actually experience periods, as such--my symptoms are likely a hormone imbalance--but I think it's worth considering why, beyond the desire for gender affirmation, this idea has such a pull.
I do also wish to acknowledge that there aren't any studies specifically devoted to the question of trans fem periods, hence "very much doubt" rather than "I'm convinced they don't exist." We're all lost in the woods for now, since such studies are, er... not likely at present.
Being trans is a mix of incredible euphoria, and terrible isolation, othering, sorrow and pain. We embrace the freedom to explore multitudes of possibilities beyond those many cis people will ever even think about, but we sacrifice so much to do so--opportunities, relationships, communities.
Our realities are volatile. Correspondingly, so are our emotions.
So this notion of a bodily cycle at once gender-affirming and already tied to this framework for understanding social volatility and gaining, if not acceptance from others, then at least tolerance... of course it has a draw for trans fems.
