Having 'M' on insurance & no hysterectomy

[makipu]

I wanted to know if this is true:
(Pre hysterectomy)
Even if my gender marker on my HEALTH INSURANCE (along with every other document) said M, the doctors who would have to prescribe any form of female specific medication (birth control, patch, IUD, etc) for me to stop having periods WILL REQUIRE a pap smear or other exams like a biopsy/ pregnancy tests because of the fact that I have a UTERUS?

(Post hysterectomy)
On the other hand, if I had the uterus removed BUT KEPT THE OVARIES, the above won't be the case and I won't be required; meaning I can just refuse?
So basically, with the ovaries the doctors won't assume anything female from me and it has to do with the uterus?

My question doesn't apply to already passing as male but simply about still having a uterus.


This is what I was recently told and it's kind of making me uneasy and would like to know if anyone experienced something like this and I want to make sure if I am being told the truth...

[Alexthecat]

My birth control required a pregnancy test (when I switched doctors) due to that if there is a baby cooking it will kill it. All that involved was peeing in a cup. The first time I took it, I needed a pap smear. Probably only because my doctor is old.

[aleon515]

I'm guessing it's TRUE. I think I had to have a pregnancy test before I had top surgery. I am also legally male on everything. AND I'm too old to have a baby, it would be a medical miracle.

--Jay

[Bimmer Guy]

Maliki, what is your goal exactly?  To figure out how to avoid GYN exams?

Jay, who requires the pregnancy test ?  Was it a standard part of your physical?  Garramone didn't require that of me.

[makipu]

I had the urine one to check for the stupid pregnancy a couple of times (at that time I wasn't aware of it being one) but what would bother me the most is checking down there. The very first gynecologist wouldn't prescribe anything for me until I had the pap smear years ago so I unfortunately had one myself and refused all the others because it was the most traumatizing physical thing I had to go through, I wish even now that it could be erased from my memory. 

I think the pregnancy test Jay is referring to comes with the already required general bloodwork before any surgery BECAUSE of the fact that we have the uterus... I had this too. I heard it's the rules.
But I was specifically referring to an actual examination of the genitals. That's what I can't put up with. Checking up whatever is showing externally is tolerable although embarrassing but internally touching is unacceptable.

My goal is simple:  Not to ever have any amount of bleeding from periods and I don't want to continuously take external hormones of any kind.  I've been searching countless information to confirm the chances of the risks associated with hysterectomy and I can't take how overwhelmed and beat it made my mentality.  Basically, the doctor is saying there is no other option besides the surgery for what I am looking for.  The hysterectomy I am supposed to have involves removing uterus and cervix but... I recently learned about 'ovary failure' and 'premature menopause' EVEN THOUGH the ovaries will be untouched...

[aleon515]

I thought it was in the hospital. Maybe not. I seem to recall it, but maybe I just recall joking about it. I know that the day surgery center requires it, but it would be a little silly. These tests are urine tests, btw. Nothing intrusive.

I believe to not need physical exams anymore you would need a complete hysto (takes ovaries), though I believe really the exam is of the cervix, cavity, and so on. A pap smear is an exam for cervix cancer. But doctors generally can access the health of the ovaries (afaik). My understanding is that the risk of cancer, if there is one on T (very debatable and afaik not provable) would be ovarian cancer, not cancer of the cervix.

I am guessing people here have had complete hystos at your age (not sure how old you are), just think it is done.

--Jay

Maliki, what is your goal exactly?  To figure out how to avoid GYN exams?

Jay, who requires the pregnancy test ?  Was it a standard part of your physical?  Garramone didn't require that of me.

[FTMax]

Jay, who requires the pregnancy test ?  Was it a standard part of your physical?  Garramone didn't require that of me.

Fischer ordered a pregnancy test with my blood work. It is standard practice for her, even if you are beyond child-bearing age or not sexually active with men.

[supremecatoverlord]

Unfortunately, I think it's the lack of knowing how to deal with trans*patients in most areas that make this standard practice, other than the birth control. I think it's silly to require someone to be on birth control who has already stopped having periods, under the assumption you're currently on HRT. I feel like if you aren't having periods for years that should be enough to keep them from forcing you to go on something to keep them from happening.

Anyway... I had to get a pap and an ultrasound before my hysterectomy...and I made it clear I wanted everything gone before I was even the office. Funnily enough, I ended up going to another surgeon, because she led me to believe I wasn't going to have to do any of that and that my first appointment was going to be surgery consult. Her idea that since I'm young and might still want to get pregnant kind of offput me. She commented on my clit size when she had me on stirrups as if it was worthy of commenting on in terms of the hormones "working".
The other lady I went to was at a women's clinic, but clearly had copious experience with trans*people, to the point where she actually treated me how I wanted to be treated and didn't feel awkward at all being in a women's clinic. I feel like this is the more rare experience to have though still.

[Ian68]

My goal is simple:  Not to ever have any amount of bleeding from periods and I don't want to continuously take external hormones of any kind.  I've been searching countless information to confirm the chances of the risks associated with hysterectomy and I can't take how overwhelmed and beat it made my mentality.  Basically, the doctor is saying there is no other option besides the surgery for what I am looking for.  The hysterectomy I am supposed to have involves removing uterus and cervix but... I recently learned about 'ovary failure' and 'premature menopause' EVEN THOUGH the ovaries will be untouched...

If you have any female reproductive anatomy, you must, must, must get exams until the technology changes to just allow blood tests or something.  Pregnancy aside, you have to check for cancer, and yes, you can get ovarian cancer even after a hysterectomy.  And yes, you can have all sorts of issues with your ovaries if you have a hysterectomy - though, it's not guaranteed at all.

If you don't want to have a hysterectomy, you shouldn't have it - it's that simple.  Assuming that you live in the US, you can go on birth control that stops or reduces periods with little hormonal effect (progesterone-based IUD for example); I'm planning to do this at some point also.  To go on birth control, you may have to get a pelvic exam if you haven't had one in the past three years, and certainly if you've had one come back abnormal.  If you are sexually active with a partner who could potentially impregnate you, you have to get a pregnancy test before starting.

Regarding insurance, if you are listed in their records as male, they will likely not cover any female-specific procedures or medications.  You'd have to check with your insurance provider, and find out if they cover trans-specific procedures.  For example, my health insurance currently lists me as "female transitioning to transgender male," so that once I have top surgery, it will list me effectively as "T" instead of as "M," which allows me to retain coverage for birth control, etc.

Honestly, it sounds like you need to get a new doctor who is more sensitive to what your health goals are.

[makipu]

This gynecologist already works with trans patients and had everything set up for me yet I am the one who failed with my unstable mentality (due to the risks and complications I read about which eventually poisoned my mind)  Because of the fact that the overwhelming way periods affected me my insurance was even going to cover it.   

The thing is, if I don't have hysterectomy, I will ALWAYS rely on the birth control method (Depo shots messed my bones and taking the pills all the way up until menopause isnt recommended. In fact, I was told I am supposed to still have a period 4 times a year which is a no no. I cannot tolerate IUD considering the fact that even I would have to check down there every month) so clearly the surgery is the ONLY option.  I considered endometrial ablation for many years but if it's not guaranteed why would I have it, I can't have this already sensitive body to be put into more procedures if I bleed again. Plus, the gynecologist is understanding enough that he doesn't require for me to have any exams because my disgust is so obvious to the eye.  I am 100% asexual forever so I am not associated with pregnancy anyhow.

I wish I could stop periods with a low dose T but it didn't work either.