When Dr's ask "When was your last period?"

[veritatemfurto]

I'm sure we all get this question asked of us every time we go to a new medical place...

What is that question's importance for medical places outside of Primary Care, Gynecologist, or Specialists offices- like at a Chiropractor's office?

what should you respond with in that circumstance???

Should I be using when I get symptoms like cravings, bloating, headaches, irritability, and cramps as "my cycle"?

[MadelineB]

That question means the nurse, assistant, or physician perceives you as two things:

1. Female, and
2. Young enough to potentially be pregnant.

Many treatments, especially medications, must be modified or adjusted to keep your fetus safe, so if you are potentially pregnant, they need to know. That's why they ask.

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

Not necessarily Madeline.

They ask it of all their female patients.  Us older gals, it is to determine if you have entered menopause.  I have been asked it before.

[MadelineB]

Not necessarily Madeline.

They ask it of all their female patients.  Us older gals, it is to determine if you have entered menopause.  I have been asked it before.

That's true Ms O.

My wife who is older than I am gets asked by new doctors. When she tells them she hasn't had a period in years, they mark it on her charts and don't ask again.

My sister who is younger than I am has had a hysto. She just tells them she doesn't have a uterus, and they stop asking too.

[UCBerkeleyPostop]

I'm sure we all get this question asked of us every time we go to a new medical place...

What is that question's importance for medical places outside of Primary Care, Gynecologist, or Specialists offices- like at a Chiropractor's office?

what should you respond with in that circumstance???

Should I be using when I get symptoms like cravings, bloating, headaches, irritability, and cramps as "my cycle"?

Yes, or some other credible lie, you certainly do not want your doctor to know that you are MtF, now do you?

[Annah]

If it isn't important on whether or not my doctor needs to know my birth gender, I come up with a date.

I usually say, my period was 2 weeks ago.

[suzifrommd]

In America, if you tell your doctor that you were not born female bodied, your doctor may not tell anyone. Confidentiality of your medical records is protected by the HIPAA law.

[eli77]

"I don't get periods" usually terminates that line of questioning. There are various birth defects and illnesses that can cause that. Especially given that I'm on estrogen (and everyone is going to ask what drugs you are on), they just assume I had/have one. And it's a touchy subject, so they don't pry further unless it's actually medically relevant. And if they feel it's medically relevant enough to ask for clarification, I'll tell them. I don't like lying to doctors, I don't feel it's a good policy for my general health. And most of them take the doctor-patient confidentiality thing pretty seriously.

That said, I've actually had surgery under anesthetic without disclosure. So if they don't ask I don't tell, because they'd know if it matters. I just don't think I'm the best person to determine if it matters. I'd rather be honest but limited in my responses and leave it up to them to pry if they have to.

[ShaunaNinjagirl]

Yeah, happens to me too
I usually say, I don't get my period
The doc responds with: So when did you get a hysterectomy
I blush  and have to explain the situation
I go to walk in clinics as I know longer have a regular doc, and when I explain things it feels like the room is 10 degrees cooler as the doctor becomes less friendly.
I really have to find a better doctor

[Isabelle]

...it feels like the room is 10 degrees cooler as...

Are you sure its not demons?

[ShaunaNinjagirl]

Maybe demons, but more likely a case of the doctor having a stick up his ass 
Don't know, just after I explain things the doc seems to go from friendly to overly clinical.

[Rita]

Either that or your making the doctor so hot the warm air is being sucked out of the room and into his...  ::whoa whoa whoa  -puts police tape all over- Rated For Adults Only -cover cover cover-:: gets all 

[ShaunaNinjagirl]

Hey  What happens in the doctors room stays in the doctors room 

[Rita]

Hey  What happens in the doctors room stays in the doctors room 

Oh my 

[Annah]

Yeah, happens to me too
I usually say, I don't get my period
The doc responds with: So when did you get a hysterectomy
I blush  and have to explain the situation
I go to walk in clinics as I know longer have a regular doc, and when I explain things it feels like the room is 10 degrees cooler as the doctor becomes less friendly.
I really have to find a better doctor

That's exactly why I just say "my last period was two weeks ago" rather than "I don't get periods." I replied "I don't get periods" the first three times and I never had a doctor who just ended it there. You're right. They ask "when did you get a hysterectomy" or you better be well versed in period stopping illnesses and you may be denied an effective medication you NEED because you made up an illness that may react negatively to the medication you need.

[Rita]

You could always do the ketchup in the panty trick, bring it to a doctor.  And I guarantee he would never want to know again xD

[Padma]

...or look all mystical, and intone "in a previous lifetime..."

[Annah]

Do doctors generally know that we dont have periods? The doctors I have spoken during my transition didn't have a clue about transsexuaity. I haven't been asked the period question, but I wouldnt be surprised at all if theyre not aware that we dont have periods.

some of us do not tell our doctors we are transgender. So if a doctor does not know we are transgender then they do not generally know we do not have periods.

[UCBerkeleyPostop]

some of us do not tell our doctors we are transgender. So if a doctor does not know we are transgender then they do not generally know we do not have periods.

Where is Noey when we need her?

Luckily, so far, the doctors who have treated me have actually been to medical school and they also know how to read a chart.

[Nathine]

I just tell them a date, usually on the 27, but occasionally early. Very annoying at times. Bloating and salt cravings are not much fun.