In your experience, what were the pros and cons of hysto?

[Arch]

That's right, I'm trolling for feedback on everything from hormones to hysto. So here's the hysto thread.

I'm still deciding about hysto, so I wanted to hear other folks' experiences. I can see some clear benefits to hysto--no more periods and no more estrogen production, for two. But I've already reached menopause, so I'm already not bleeding, and I'm already not putting out as much of the evil female hormones as I used to.

Then there's a psychological benefit--you don't have the wrong organs in your body. I'm not sure how I feel about my female organs now that they have gone into semi-retirement. I don't hate them so much anymore, now that they don't plague me on a monthly basis; I'm more indifferent to them. What about you?

I'm concerned about my sex life. I do have vaginal sex, and I plan to continue to do that. I'm wondering how hysto will affect my sexual experience. If you have any insights on this, I'd love to hear from you.

Any other pros and cons you can think of, let 'er rip. I'm all ears.

[icontact]

Getting on T stops periods altogether, so that's an irrelevant factor. [Thank god, I would not enjoy shelling out major $ to stop Mr. Monthly.]

-lurks topic-

[Arch]

Getting on T stops periods altogether, so that's an irrelevant factor. [Thank god, I would not enjoy shelling out major $ to stop Mr. Monthly.]

-lurks topic-

Yeah, but I've heard that some guys on T (maybe the lower doses) have periods for a few months. And if you go off T (for whatever reason), your periods start again as long as you have all of the female equipment. But you're right--as long as you get on the right dose of T and stay on it, no more red-headed cousin staying for overlong visits.

[tekla]

If you can avoid invasive surgery, do so.  The older you get, the higher the risk. 

[sneakersjay]

Personally it was the best thing I ever did for myself.  I wasn't quite menopausal, but close enough to have irregular and frequent bleeding complicated by fibroids.  So stopping that alone was a HUGE mental boost.

Also, I am so glad to be rid of those parts for good.  At my age (and I assume you're about my age if you've reached menopause) I wanted them gone so I didn't have to worry about cancer of those parts.

Yes, any invasive surgery has risks, but if you are healthy otherwise and have insurance I'd go for it.  I didn't realize how much I really hated HATED those parts until they were gone.  Like a huge weight lifted off me.  I can't tell you.  I didn't realize how much pressure the parts were putting on my other parts or causing other slight discomforts until they were gone.

Huge relief.

Jay

[Mister]

This thread frightens me.

Please watch the documentary Southern Comfort.  The biggest benefit of my hysto is that I will not be dying of cervical or ovarian cancer.  Hysto is not an elective procedure.

[Aiden]

actually i heard that T may not stop periods entirely in some guys.  Is that true, hope not mind me asking it here as well?

[Mister]

actually i heard that T may not stop periods entirely in some guys.  Is that true, hope not mind me asking it here as well?

I've yet to come across someone who has claimed to continue to bleed while on testosterone.  An indicator of a therapeutic dose of testosterone is the cessation of menstruation.

[Dennis]

Sometimes a guy can have an episode of bleeding years after being on T, but it's usually just an episode, shedding some old stuff.

For me, hysto means no more checkups of those parts. I am noticing more chest hair coming in and my body fat redistributing a little more (thinner face). It's just nice to be rid of them.

I don't think it affects the sex lives of guys who like to use the front hole, other than you can't for six weeks following. The straight women posting on boards don't complain about any change.

The only negative was the bladder infection I got post-surgery and that I didn't notice because I was on meds, so it got really bad.

Dennis

[Arch]

For me, hysto means no more checkups of those parts.

I don't think it affects the sex lives of guys who like to use the front hole, other than you can't for six weeks following. The straight women posting on boards don't complain about any change.

I read somewhere that you have to keep seeing a gyno once a year even after full hysto (removal of everything). I was kind of thinking, "What for?" Then I forgot about it. Then again, I also read somewhere (maybe the same place) that you're supposed to get breast exams and mammograms even after top surgery. Breast exams I could sort of see, but I was thinking, "Uh, how can I get a mammo when there isn't anything THERE anymore?"

I am confused. Guess I'll have to ask around.

Regarding the sex life issue, when I became menopausal, I started having some pain with front-hole intercourse, I guess because the tissues down there are becoming more sensitive due to the lower estrogen levels in my body. I figure that when I go on T (and maybe get a hysto), the problem will only get worse. Certainly the male hormones cannot help my situation.

Real women would consider doing their own version of HRT (Premarin or the equivalent, which I wouldn't use in any case because they torture horses to get it) or use some sort of estrogen cream down there (actually, Premarin can be taken orally or applied topically). I've read about clinical trials of non-estrogen substances to ameliorate this kind of pain/discomfort, but I don't think there's anything on the market right now.

Then again, I might not have to worry about it because T will change my body chemistry. If my partner no longer likes the way I smell and taste, we might be having a reaaaaallllllly long dry spell in the sex department anyway...

Cripes. I wish all of this could be easier.

[sneakersjay]

Arch, there is a vaginal estrogen cream you can use down there if you are too dry for front hole use that doesn't affect your T levels.

I'm one of those who still had my period after starting T; granted I was on a lower dose because my endo knew my hysto was going to happen in a month, but that was the lowest feeling ever.

My gyno said recheck in 1 year probably and then I wouldn't have to see him again; I'm lucky in that my primary also does basic gyn work so I'll have her do any checks.  I plan on seeing her after top surgery.

IMO, if you are not on T but have had issues with the female parts, try to get them out before T esp. if you have insurance.  If you haven't had issues, I'd still try to get them out.  I do know guys on T and listed as M have had their insurance cover it, but I believe many do NOT cover it.  If you're on T and your insurance won't cover it, I'd still save to have it done.

Personal opinion and experience.  I'm not a doctor and don't play one on the internet.

Jay

[Arch]

Arch, there is a vaginal estrogen cream you can use down there if you are too dry for front hole use that doesn't affect your T levels.

IMO, if you are not on T but have had issues with the female parts, try to get them out before T esp. if you have insurance.  If you haven't had issues, I'd still try to get them out.  I do know guys on T and listed as M have had their insurance cover it, but I believe many do NOT cover it.  If you're on T and your insurance won't cover it, I'd still save to have it done.

If I could find an estrogen cream that doesn't involve abusing horses, I'd try it. I guess I'll have to do some research. Those creams require a prescription, right?

I have heard from some guys that they changed their legal sex before hysto and then had all sorts of trouble getting a hysto covered because they were male! But I don't see how I could get my insurance to cover hysto anyway. Most HMOs (including my current provider, but I'm about to switch) will not cover any type of SRS, and I'm not having any problems down there that would qualify me for surgical coverage. Am I missing something?

[Jamie-o]

I attended a lecture on SRS by Dr. Marcie Bowers.  She definitely recommended having hysto early in, or better yet, before transition, because of the insurance issues.  She hinted that, although she wouldn't condone insurance fraud, there were "ways around" insurance company coverage rules.  For instance, I believe a doctor has the discretion to recommend hysto as a necessary procedure if there is a family history of ovarian cancer and the patient is terribly afraid of getting it. (Let's face it, ovarian cancer is one of those things that, by the time it's diagnosed, it's often too late.  So with a family history, there is a valid argument for yanking the things out.)

[sneakersjay]

Arch, there is a vaginal estrogen cream you can use down there if you are too dry for front hole use that doesn't affect your T levels.

IMO, if you are not on T but have had issues with the female parts, try to get them out before T esp. if you have insurance.  If you haven't had issues, I'd still try to get them out.  I do know guys on T and listed as M have had their insurance cover it, but I believe many do NOT cover it.  If you're on T and your insurance won't cover it, I'd still save to have it done.

If I could find an estrogen cream that doesn't involve abusing horses, I'd try it. I guess I'll have to do some research. Those creams require a prescription, right?

I have heard from some guys that they changed their legal sex before hysto and then had all sorts of trouble getting a hysto covered because they were male! But I don't see how I could get my insurance to cover hysto anyway. Most HMOs (including my current provider, but I'm about to switch) will not cover any type of SRS, and I'm not having any problems down there that would qualify me for surgical coverage. Am I missing something?

I know a couple of guys who got theirs covered even though their ID says male. I don't think mine would, though they cover T.  I had a medical reason for hysto (fibroids, heavy irregular periods, abdominal pressure and wicked cramps) but my endo also told me some things to say wrt cancer in the family, pain, bleeding -- that could qualify you for hysto, esp. if you're older, and it sounds like you are.

They are offering women more options to fix these parts and hysto is no longer the norm, but if you want them out they will take them out, after they advise you the thousand ways to save them (as mine did; he didn't know I was trans).

Jay

[Aiden]

Not sure mine would let me get hysto first.  Think their concerned how T will effect me some and Hysto probably would mean going perminantly on T  so if anything wrong can't really stop. 

My Doctor is Transfriendly, actually partially why picked him.  But he hasn't had a lot of expereince with me either to go by.