People Often Ask – Common pronouns and how to use them (e.g., she/her, he/him, they/them, neopronouns)

People Often Ask

Are pronouns and gender identity the same thing?

Pronouns and gender identity are related, but not identical. Gender identity is your internal sense of who you are – woman, man, nonbinary, gender-fluid, agender, etc. Pronouns are the words other people use to refer to you in language.Most people pick pronouns that align closely with their gender identity, but it is not always a one-to-one match. Some women use they/she, some nonbinary people use she/they or he/they, some men use they/he, some folks use neopronouns. The point is not to solve a math equation; it’s to use language that feels least like sandpaper on their skin.Your gender identity can stay steady while your pronouns shift over time as you find what fits best – or both can evolve together.

Can my pronouns change over time if my gender feels fluid?

Yes. Your pronouns can absolutely change if your relationship to gender shifts. Gender fluidity is real – some people move between genders, discover new language for what they’ve always felt, or simply outgrow labels that once fit.You’re allowed to:- Start with she/her and later move to she/they, they/them, or neopronouns.- Ask people to adjust as you figure it out.- Change again if something else feels better down the line.Think of it like updating your haircut or style as you grow. It’s not being difficult ; it’s being honest.If people complain it’s too hard to keep up , what they’re really saying is my comfort matters more than your reality . That’s on them, not you.

How do I add pronouns to my email or social profiles without making it weird at work?

Adding pronouns to your email signature or socials is one of the easiest ways to normalize pronoun sharing, especially in professional settings.Simple options:- Email signature: Name | Role | she/they- LinkedIn/Slack/Teams: Jordan Lee (they/them)- Zoom: Maya – she/herYou don’t need a paragraph explaining why. Just put them there like it’s the most normal thing in the world – because it should be.If someone asks why, you can keep it short: It helps people not make assumptions and makes things safer for trans and nonbinary colleagues.Some workplaces are still catching up. If you’re in a hostile environment, protect yourself first. You can always choose where and when to be visible.

Do hormones, my cycle, or birth control change my gender or pronouns?

Hormones, your menstrual cycle, and birth control can absolutely affect how you feel in your body – mood, energy, libido, irritability, even how strongly dysphoria or euphoria hits. But they don’t dictate your gender or your pronouns.Here’s what they do influence:- Cycle phases shift estrogen and progesterone, which can change how emotionally raw or resilient you feel.- PMS and the luteal phase can make everything feel more intense – including discomfort with gendered expectations.- Hormonal birth control can smooth out mood swings for some; for others it brings emotional blunting, anxiety, or depression.You might notice your feelings about your gender get louder at certain times in your cycle, but that doesn’t make them less real. It just means your nervous system is responding to multiple things at once.If you’re ever wondering whether what you’re feeling is hormones or gender , that’s a valid question – and not one you have to answer overnight.

How do I talk to my doctor about pronouns and periods without getting dismissed?

You start by remembering this: you are hiring them, not begging them. You’re allowed to set terms.Try this at the start of an appointment:- I use they/she pronouns. Please use those when you’re talking to or about me.- I’m here because my cycles are irregular and my cramps are severe. It’s affecting my daily life.Be specific about your menstrual cycle:- How long your cycle is (from first day of one period to first day of the next).- How many days you bleed.- Symptoms in each phase – mood shifts, pain, heavy bleeding, clots, PMS.Red flags: they ignore your pronouns, dismiss your pain, or immediately jump to birth control will fix it without explanation.You’re allowed to say I’d like a second opinion or find a different provider. And if you want help figuring out how to word all of this, you can always unpack it with Gush before you go in.If you’re sitting with questions, trying to decode your symptoms, or just wanting to know if what you’re going through is normal, you don’t have to guess in the dark. You can bring all of it – pronouns, periods, rage, and confusion – to Gush and actually get to talk it through like a human, not a problem to be fixed.