Yes, some trans and non-binary people have a prostate. Those who do include:
People presumed male at birth will still have a prostate despite their gender affirmation. People presumed female at birth will not have a prostate.
Anyone who has a prostate can get prostate cancer, including trans women and non-binary people. People who were presumed female at birth cannot develop prostate cancer because they will not have a prostate.
There is some evidence that suggests people who are taking feminising hormones (such as estrogen) or who have had genital reconstructive surgery may have a lower risk of prostate cancer, which could be due to the lowered testosterone levels. Taking feminising hormones can also make the prostate smaller. However, more research is needed before this can be confirmed.
Your symptoms of prostate cancer may be like those experienced by cis men, although for various reasons, you may not experience any symptoms. If the prostate cancer is at an early stage, it may not present symptoms. Trans women and non-binary people who have had feminising hormones may be less likely to have symptoms than cis men because of the hormones they are taking.
One common early symptom is difficulty passing urine, but this can also occur in other health conditions. See your health care professional if you have difficulty passing urine.
It’s important to be aware that genital reconstructive surgery can cause urinary issues resembling the symptoms of prostate cancer. If you notice any urinary issues, see your health care professional.
We provide a lot of information on prostate cancer and related topics on the St Vincent’s website. This information is mostly based on evidence and guidance for cis men, but some of the information will still be relevant if you’re a trans or non-binary person with a prostate.
