Do transgender people need to use birth control?

It depends on the individual, but the short answer is that it depends on what parts you have and how you’re using them. Regardless of your genders, if one partner has a penis and the other has a uterus and ovaries, and you’re having unprotected penis-in-vagina sex, the partner with the uterus could get pregnant. So if you’re a transwoman with a penis and your partner has a uterus and ovaries, and you’re having penis-in-vagina sex, your partner should definitely use birth control if they don’t want to get pregnant. Same if you’re a transman with a uterus and ovaries—if you ever have penis-in-vagina sex with a partner who has a penis, you should use birth control if you don’t want to get pregnant.

It’s also important to know that gender-affirming hormone therapy alone will not protect you from getting pregnant.

And remember, the only birth control methods that also protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are condoms and internal condoms. Using dental dams and/or gloves can also help reduce the risk of STIs, depending on what kind of sex you’re having.