Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Female to male transsexual talk (FTM) => Topic started by: Joe. on October 30, 2013, 06:22:21 PM Return to Full Version

Title: Do I have to have a hysterectomy?
Post by: Joe. on October 30, 2013, 06:22:21 PM
I'm not sure if this should be posted here or in the bottom surgery part, so please move it if it needs to be.

Do I have to have a hysterectomy? I want to go on T, and I want to get top surgery, I'm just not sure about anything bottom surgery yet. I don't necessarily want a hysterectomy, but I don't know if I'm required to have one? Can somebody please shed some light on this?
Title: Re: Do I have to have a hysterectomy?
Post by: King Malachite on October 30, 2013, 06:27:34 PM
I don't know how it is there but here, it's reccomended to have one if one plans to stay on T for the rest of their life because of the possibility of the T making the uterus and ovaries canceries within 5 and 15 years.  I don't think it's required though if one isn't getting bottom surgery....at least over here.
Title: Re: Do I have to have a hysterectomy?
Post by: Devlyn on October 30, 2013, 07:48:12 PM
Here's some reading: https://www.susans.org/wiki/Hysterectomy
Title: Re: Do I have to have a hysterectomy?
Post by: Jack_M on October 31, 2013, 12:43:26 AM
Wow.  That's a grosely misinformed "specialist".  Kinda embarrassed for him.  The risk is actually unfounded.  There's absolutely no firm evidence that not having a hysterectomy leads to cancer.  The research just isn't there.  It really is just an assumption right now.  But without a proper study, it's kinda bad for anyone to point blank state figures, especially this 10% thing.  Where'd he pull that number from?  It's simple enough to do a search online. the studies just aren't there, so he's, quite frankly, talking out of his ass!  He's just assuming everything he's stated and then admitted that there aren't enough studies.  What is it?  10% or we need more studies?  It can't be both!  Sometimes I really do worry about some medical "professionals".

You don't need to have one but it is advised, it's all just junk when you're on T anyway.  While there's no studies proving increased risk, there is still the possibility of an increased risk and it doesn't take away the risk you already have just by having them, so it is generally safer to just be without really. 

Depending on where you live it can also make the difference when it comes to being male or female on documents like birth certificates or medical records.  Also, after a hysterectomy (assuming you specify the cervix is removed) you no longer have to go through any gyn screening examinations.
Title: Re: Do I have to have a hysterectomy?
Post by: Chaos on October 31, 2013, 01:21:50 AM
Well we do know that if you are on T for so long,then you will become infertile (unable to have kids) does that mean because of that,it could lead to major risks? who knows but there are a few things you have to take into account when this comes up and bottom surgery

1) you keep the insides but you cant have ANY surgery other then a meta (release).because you will still need to expel waste.
2) you do get everything else but you cant expel waste and this will start to back up (im sure you get the idea) the same would be with pregnancy and c-section (if you want to have one that is)

It depends on whats right for you but also what the health issues will be afterwards. Im sure any smart person would not go with 2 but you never know now adays with the way things are going.I wish you luck and i hope you have a good transition.
Title: Re: Do I have to have a hysterectomy?
Post by: Taka on October 31, 2013, 05:30:28 AM
i don't think you're required to have a hysterectomy in the uk. there are no good statistics on the risks, possibly because trans guys have been required to have that surgery in more countries earlier, so there are very few who have been on t for at least 30 years without having had bottom surgery. but, women usually live long after menopause, so it isn't too unlikely that the body can handle t+uterus just fine.

hysterectomy can be performed in many different ways as well. you could remove everything, but it's also possible to leave one or both ovaries. they often recommend that women do that so they don't have to depend on supplemental hormones for the rest of their life. i'd probably want to keep the ovaries in case of some crisis, but i'm not sure if they allow that for trans guys who get the surgery (since they aren't women).
Title: Re: Do I have to have a hysterectomy?
Post by: LordKAT on October 31, 2013, 05:37:49 AM
You can pick and choose on what parts are removed. Many surgeons are reluctant to remove the vagina without doing a full meta or a phallo.
Title: Re: Do I have to have a hysterectomy?
Post by: FTMDiaries on October 31, 2013, 05:55:50 AM
No. It's not a requirement.

Your GIC will advise you to have one, and it is presumed that most transguys will want one... but it's not the case with everyone and it isn't a requirement for anything. The doctor at my GIC is perfectly happy with my decision to wait until 2 years after starting T before having any form of bottom surgery, so there's no big rush for you to make any decisions.

You also don't need to have undergone any medical treatment whatsoever (not even hormones) to get a Gender Recognition Certificate and be recognised for all legal purposes as male in the UK.

I should also point out that Thomas Beatie was on T for 11 years before he had his 3 kids. He started T in 1997 when he was 23, and had his first child in 2008 when he was 34. Last year he had a meta with urethral lengthening, and is considering (but has still not had) a hysto.

So really, the choice is yours.