Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I've been on T for a month and like clockwork I had a period at my normal time about two weeks into HRT. I don't really want to relive how that made me feel but I'll just say that it was not a good time for me.

I have never wanted to be pregnant, I have always hated my cycle, I always have extremely painful cramps and am absolutely miserable. I hate the idea of estrogen being in my body.

However I like penetrative sex with my husband and it's something I'm very happy to do with him because of our bond.

A hysto would come out of my pocket and that freaks me out. The pain of recovery freaks me out. But why should I get one? I'd like to hear your reasons for getting one or wanting one. I've talked about getting one later in life when menopause starts although I have no idea how menopause works for a trans man and that freaks me out. I'm also really worried about pregnancy because I feel like I'd be a danger to myself if I did become pregnant, but I absolutely HATE barrier sex and I refuse to take BC or use spermicide. I'd have no one to blame but myself if I did but that doesn't stop the thoughts of 'well I'd do something really crazy and stupid if I did get knocked up.'

Unfortunately periods don't always stop immediately after startimg T. Mine lasted until about 7 months on T. Hopefully that was your last one.

And menopause is pretty much happening to you right now due to testosterone.

So back you your question, I got mine mainly because I needed to for bottom surgery. In addition to that, I had a bit of dysphoria due to having those organs in me, and I have had some problems with bleeding after my monthlies had stopped. Right now i'm only 2 days post op and while the recovery is awful, i'm glad I had it.

It seems like a hysto would be a good choice for you from what you have said. Then shark week would stop in it's tracks and there would be zero chance of pregnancy. I had my hysto right before starting T but I have heard of guys bleeding up to a couple years after starting T.

The only down side from what you've said is the money having to come out of pocket. That is a bummer but if you have insurance maybe you could see a trans friendly gyno and get them to write it up as a medical necessity. If not then it's something that you'll have to save up for.

The only downside to a complete hysto is that you're then obligated to take hormones for the rest of your life. Before hysto you can be kinda relaxed about hormones. If something happens and you have to go without T for a few weeks it'll suck but it's not a big deal in the scheme of things. After hysto you'll crash HARD if you don't get your T on a regular basis. After a hysto T becomes a medical necessity. There is no "well, I can't afford it right now". It might be Ramen noodles and water for a month so you can get your T.

Eventually you should probably get one done, I thought being on T could possibly be related to increased chances of ovarian cancer and things of the sort. (Read that on here somewhere I believe, though was quite a while ago.)

About period 2 weeks in, I think that's normal. When I was first put on blockers, (Had blockers before T cause my endo is noob) I had one about 2 weeks later, then never again.

Personally I am getting hysto as soon as possible, I am still on blockers even though after 2 years of starting T I am finally on a normal dose. Going off the blockers and taking a chance I might get a period again scares me way too much ha.

I had a laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysto recently, and while it's gonna be different for everyone, the recovery was pretty much pain free. I took my prescribed pills in the evening the day of the surgery, to make sure I'd sleep well, and the next morning to be covered on the trip home. After that I had to pop a pill on a couple occasions after having been more active than I should have - which again was a result of feeling "fine". >.>

I had my hysto since it is required by law here to get paperwork changed to male, but would have done so either way just to be sure I'd never ever get another period. (Mind you, I never had one after I started T, but would get "twinges" to keep me on my toes at all times)

The idea of bleeding for years makes me want to die. I realize that sounds stupid and really immature but I'd rather just die than have to live through it month after month after month.

I'm going to start looking for a trans friendly gyno because I need one anyway. Any ideas on how to word the request to do medical coding for insurance to cover the hysto? I'm sure my endo would have some pointers since he works for a trans informed consent clinic. I'll ask him during my next appointment, too.

One other thing I need to do is talk to my husband about all of this. The amount of effort he's put into treating me right is mind blowing but I still don't talk to him about my dysphoria. I feel like it's whining on my part.

BTW John, I just realized why your avatar makes me laugh. I rewatched that episode on Netflix a few weeks ago and just now put together that his name was John Smith while he was in human mode.

My sister died of ovarian cancer and my other sister had uterine cancer.  Not trying to be alarmist, but if you dislike the parts, dislike what they do, and have no intentions of using them, I say be rid of them.  Getting rid of them won't mean you can't use the hole if you like to.  T is going to affect the lining whether you hysto or not, and you'll likely need more lube (so I've heard).  But yeah.  Be rid of parts that are useless and have the potential to cause harm.


Jay

I have been on T for a year and half and still can't get my periods to stop .... it sux....I also have painful cramps and pain with orgasms ... I am scheduled for a hysto in a couple weeks...my insurance doesn't cover srs ... however, b/c of the other issues my doctor was able to get it approved.

One month really isn't a big deal. From what I've seen most people tend to stop bleeding at around 2 months. But, this doesn't mean you can't get pregnant, it just means you're not bleeding. I wouldn't recommend a hysto right away, it's one of those eventual things and yes, it is really expensive without insurance covering it. Some insurance companies will cover an IUD which is around $500 out of pocket and lasts 5 years. There's usually little to no hormones involved and it's 99.99% effective.

Well you're only a month on T. I'd say wait a few more months, your issues could resolve themselves. I had one more period when I went on T then it stopped. I never had cramps or felt crappy due to estrogen again.

As for my own reasoning for wanting one, well I know I'll never want to have my own children and I know I'll be on testosterone for the rest of my life. So those parts are completely useless to me, might as well get rid of them. Right now my body is trying to produce estrogen but being shut down by the testosterone, it seems like it would be easier on my body to just have the testosterone. Also I'm waiting to change my sex legally until I have one, so that's another big reason I want to have it, then be able to do that and be done with everything. Unfortunately, last time I tried, my insurance wouldn't cover it. I had a trans friendly surgeon who understood that this was medically necessary for me, and wrote a letter exaggerating some things that made it sound more medically necessary for insurance, but nope, they wouldn't cover an "elective procedure" for a healthy 21 year old.

I've heard that it can take up to six months for some people's periods to disappear. That's just what I've heard, though, take that as you will. However, regardless of how long it takes, it is important to know that it's not instant and it can take longer from some people. For me personally, I had my last period a week after I started T.

However, I would say that you need to get a hysterectomy. Testosterone will not completely stop the risk of pregnancy, and it certainly won't help so early on in HRT. I suggest reading this article (http://www.originalplumbing.com/2011/08/03/testosterone-no-periods-and-pregnancy-risk/). While being on testosterone will greatly reduce the risk of pregnancy, there is still the potential to ovulate and therefore get pregnant. Plus, there's no precise time that the organs start to shut down, so it would mean going without sex for an undetermined amount of time. I'd recommend just getting the hysto. You're playing Russian roulette otherwise.

Definitely use protection for sex right now. Put it this way, do you want to be excited when you're late, hoping that it's over, or in a panic because you might be pregnant? Also, if you do end up pregnant you'd have to stop taking T immediately if you are going to take the baby to term because T would harm the baby. It's not worth the risk IMO.

If you don't want the parts, I say lose them.

To be clear I'm aware one month isn't a lot of time for them to stop. I want them to but I can't wave a magic wand and force it to be so