Can Men Become Pregnant: What To Know - Medical News Today

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Can men become pregnant?

Medically reviewed by Stacy A. Henigsman, DO — Written by Jamie Eske — Updated on December 18, 2023

Is it possible?
People with a uterus and ovaries
Gender-affirming surgeries
Summary

A person who was born with male reproductive organs and is living as a man cannot get pregnant. However, some transgender men and nonbinary people can become pregnant.

In most cases, including cis-men who have sex with men, male pregnancy is not possible. New research in uterine transplants may mean that male pregnancy could be a possibility in the future, though.

In this article, we will discuss the difference between sex and gender before explaining more about transgender and male pregnancy.

Is it possible?

a person holding their belly and wondering if a man can become pregnant — GettyImages

Anyone who has a uterus and ovaries could become pregnant and give birth.

People who are born male and living as men cannot get pregnant. A transgender man or nonbinary person may be able to, however.

It is only possible for a person to be pregnant if they have a uterus. The uterus is the womb, which is where the fetus develops. Male reproductive organs include testicles and a penis but no uterus.

The terms “man” and “woman” refer to a person’s gender, which encompasses the socially constructed characteristics that differentiate the traditional binary sexes — male and female.

Unlike a person’s biological sex, which an individual’s reproductive organs and secondary sex characteristics define, genetics alone do not determine a person’s gender.

A person’s gender may include specific social roles, norms, and expectations that differentiate men and women.

These characteristics are subjective, and they differ among societies, social classes, and cultures. The gender by which a person identifies depends on the individual.

Gender is much more fluid than biological sex.

Typically, people are assigned male or female at birth. Those who identify with the gender that society associates with their biological sex are “cisgender” men and women.

Cisgender men who have sex with cisgender men cannot get pregnant.

However, not everyone identifies with the gender role that is associated with their designated sex. For instance, a person who was assigned female at birth (AFAB) but identifies as a man may refer to themselves as a “transgender” man or a gender nonconforming individual.

Many AFAB people who identify as men or gender nonconforming people retain their ovaries and uterus, which allows them to get pregnant and give birth.

People with a uterus and ovaries

People who have a uterus and ovaries can become pregnant and give birth.

However, some AFAB people may take testosterone. Testosterone therapy helps suppress the effects of estrogen while stimulating the development of masculine secondary sex characteristics, including:

muscle growth
redistribution of body fat
increased hair growth on the body and face
deeper voice

Research suggests that menstruation usually ends within 12 months after starting testosterone therapy and often within 6 months, which can make conceiving more difficult but not impossible.

Although testosterone therapy does not make people infertile, a person may have a higher chance of placental abruption, preterm labor, anemia, and hypertension.

In a 2014 study, researchers surveyed 41 transgender men and gender nonconforming AFAB individuals who became pregnant and gave birth.

Of the individuals who reported using testosterone before pregnancy, 20% became pregnant before their menstrual cycle returned.

The authors of this study concluded that prior testosterone use did not lead to significant differences in pregnancy, delivery, or birth outcomes.

The authors also noted that a higher percentage of transgender men who reported previous testosterone use had a cesarean delivery compared with those who had no history of testosterone use.

These findings do not suggest that testosterone therapy makes people incapable of vaginal delivery, as 25% of the transgender men who had a cesarean delivery chose to do so based on their comfort levels and preferences.

However, there is limited research regarding transgender pregnancy, so it is unclear how testosterone may affect a person’s fertility or pregnancy.

In a 2019 case study, researchers documented the experience of one 20-year-old transgender man who became pregnant 2 months after he discontinued testosterone therapy.

After 40 weeks, he gave birth to a healthy baby after an uncomplicated labor.

The authors stated that he chestfed for 12 weeks before restarting testosterone therapy.

People who have had a bilateral mastectomy or other chest surgeries may not be able to chestfeed.

Gender-affirming surgeries

Transgender men and AFAB individuals who do not identify as female may elect to undergo a range of medical treatments and surgical procedures during the transition process.

Examples of gender-affirming surgical procedures for transgender men include:

Male chest reduction or “top surgery”: This procedure involves the removal of both breasts and any underlying breast tissue.
Hysterectomy: A hysterectomy refers to the removal of the internal female reproductive organs, including the ovaries and uterus.
Phalloplasty: During this procedure, a surgeon constructs a neopenis from skin grafts.
Metoidioplasty: This treatment uses a combination of surgery and hormone therapy to enlarge the clitoris and make it function as a penis.

If a person has undergone a partial hysterectomy — which involves the removal of the womb but not the ovaries, cervix, and fallopian tubes — it is possible for the fertilized egg to latch onto the fallopian tubes or the abdomen, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy.

However, this is exceedingly rare, and according to a 2015 review, there are only 71 cases on record since 1895.

Summary

Gender does not determine who can become pregnant.

People who identify as men can, and do, become pregnant and give birth, if they possess a uterus and ovaries.

Fertility
Men's Health
Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Sexual Health / STDs
Parenthood
LGBTQIA+

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Ahmad, S., & Leinung, M. (2017). The response of the menstrual cycle to initiation of hormonal therapy in transgender men.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5685207/
Brännström, M., et al. (2015). Livebirth after uterus transplantation.https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(14)61728-1/fulltext
Ectopic pregnancy. (2018).https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Ectopic-Pregnancy?IsMobileSet=false
Fylstra, D. L. (2015). Ectopic pregnancy after hysterectomy may not be so uncommon: A case report and review of the literature.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5885999/
Hahn, M., et al. (2019). Providing patient-centered perinatal care for transgender men and gender-diverse individuals: A collaborative multidisciplinary team approach.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6814572/
Hysterectomy (surgical removal of the womb). (2018).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525761/
Johannesson, L., & Järvholm, S. (2016). Uterus transplantation: Current progress and future prospects.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4751897/
Jones, B. P., et al. (2018). Uterine transplantion in transgender woman.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6492192/
Light, A. D., et al. (2014). Transgender men who experienced pregnancy after female-to-male gender transitioning.https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Fulltext/2014/12000/Transgender_Men_Who_Experienced_Pregnancy_After.9.aspx
Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome. (2020).https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/mayer-rokitansky-kuster-hauser-syndrome
Obedin-Maliver, J., & Makadon, H. J. (2016). Transgender men and pregnancy.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4790470/

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Medically reviewed by Stacy A. Henigsman, DO — Written by Jamie Eske — Updated on December 18, 2023

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Is it possible?

People with a uterus and ovaries

Gender-affirming surgeries

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