Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Here's a question that Gill saw on a news feed she gets.  An SO reminded MtF's who are going through with SRS/GRS to make arrangements for a gynecologist for post operative life.  Have any of you done this?  When I saw my doctor yesterday, she said that as soon as I get a date for surgery she would provide me with a referral as a special case as the waiting list in my area can be up to a year.

Steph

I have not had SRS but have known a few women locally who have gone to a gynecologist after surgery was done.  One had moved into the area and surprised her doc when she told him she was TS.  he went back in for another look and complimented the surgeon.  And cool that your doctor can do that for you.  :)

I have had SRS and I have seen a gynocologist. I saw her about 3 months after surgery and then about 6 months later as I felt I had some problems. It turned out that I didn't. My surgeon was in Thailand so there was no way that I could go back to him so a gynocologist was the first doctor that looked down there. I have since learned that really any doctor could do the same as we don't have the plumbing that genetic female has. All we have is just a vagina and for a doctor to look up there and make sure there is nothing growing that shouldn't be. Also the doctor could check other parts too. You really don't need an expensive gynocologist. Now, I really thing for the first two or three exams you should use the gynocologist. Just to make sure everything is in order. My doctor writes my prescriptions for hormones and everything else that I need. She checks my breasts and also checks my prostrate. You will still have one of those and needs to be checked.
Sheila

Thanks so much for the replies, info and advice.  Makes a lot of sense.  Fortunately Gyno visits are covered under our health system.

Steph

Quote from: Sheila
She checks my breasts and also checks my prostrate. You will still have one of those and needs to be checked.

Sheila,

I had no idea the prostate stayed. For some reason I thought it was removed. Do you know why it is not? I thought it's only function was to make ejaculate. Do you know what function it serves, if any?

Thanks in advance,

Love always,
Elizabeth

From what I've seen, it's better to leave the prostate in.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2715.0.html

I think the prostate's left in because to take it out means more cutting, more healing, more time and more expense for a very small benefit.

The lack of T when on hormones and after surgery keeps the growth and the chance of prostate cancer to a minimum - mostly non-existent, I would think.  (Of course, because we can't win, the chance of breast cancer increases from the presence of E!)  It's still good to check it though, especially if there's a history of prostate cancer in your family.

I use an anti-androgen to keep mine in check (Avodart) - helps keep the T in check too,  ;D

helen

My surgeon (Toby Meltzer) explained that prostate removal is very tricky.  It is difficult to avoid cutting the nerve that contols bladder function.  One slip of the scalpel and you're incontinent for life.  With the estogen, prostate size becomes very, very small.  Even so, I am always reminded by GPs, gynecologists, and urologists to continue prostate exams rectally or vaginally, and by PSA test.

Pap smears don't work, as our vaginas aren't mucosal tissue, but the pelvic exam (currently recommended every three years) is a must.

Robyn

My surgeon (Dr. Preecha) told me that the prostate will help in sexual orgasm and also it will secrete some fluid, I don't know what kind of fluid. This is what he told me. He also said that I probably won't ever have to worry about prostate cancer, cause of my family history and the estrogen. He also told me that I should have it checked every once in a while.
Sheila

There is an article in the Wiki on the  prostate (https://www.susans.org/wiki/Prostate) I'll look at expanding it with a little more info :)

Steph

Hi All,

Doc just checked my PSA levels about a month ago. Now all I know is that it is "ok"...alright what would it be if it was NOT ok? LOL  I only have a partially developed prostate, so i am not sure what difference this could make in my lab results for telling me much info. Anyone have a clue if I can just use the PSA test to know that I am clear of cancer there? My number is low becaue of the limited tissue there to begin with. So how would I know if it was "too" high? Wife and I wondered if the doc ever thought of that?

Hope it is ok to ask this question here...I know it is a IS question, but this seems like real good group to ask this question to, because you all are educated!

Thanks,
Taylor

I would think that if you have a partially developed prostate and you got cancer, then cancer cells would start to grow.  I think you would eventually be able to tell.  It's also possible that:
a. Because you have so little tissue, it may be a while longer before it would show up or
b. Because you have so little tissue, even slightest amount of cancer would show up or
c. Because you have so little tissue, you chances of getting cancer are equally diminished

Melissa

Quote from: taylor on June 08, 2006, 10:23:12 PM
Hi All,

Doc just checked my PSA levels about a month ago. Now all I know is that it is "ok"...alright what would it be if it was NOT ok? LOL  I only have a partially developed prostate, so i am not sure what difference this could make in my lab results for telling me much info. Anyone have a clue if I can just use the PSA test to know that I am clear of cancer there? My number is low becaue of the limited tissue there to begin with. So how would I know if it was "too" high? Wife and I wondered if the doc ever thought of that?

Hope it is ok to ask this question here...I know it is a IS question, but this seems like real good group to ask this question to, because you all are educated!

Thanks,
Taylor

I believe that a PSA test is the most accurate test available at the moment for detecting Prostate Cancer, I just had mine done and it was clear also.  I think that it would be best to ask your doctor about the implications of your partially developed prostate and how it would affect your test results.  Personally I don't think that it would.

Check Prostate in our Wiki and this out in the Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostate_specific_antigen)

Steph

Taylor,
    Well, I have learned something new today. So I guess I can go back to bed. Ha. I didn't know that after taking testosterone you could grow a prostate. I would think that the PSA tests would be sufficient, but always keep up on these things as they could be wrong for your circumstance. Talk to the doctor and make sure of everything. Oh and thank you for thinking that I was educated. Hmmmm. I do have a BS degree. 35 years as a meatcutter.
Sheila

I don't understand how an FTM could "grow" a prostate.  There are common equivalent organs between the 2 sexes:

Female              Male
------               ----
Uterus               Prostate
Ovaries              Testicles
Fallopian Tubes   Vas Deferens
Labia                 Scrotum
Clitoris               Penis

They develop into whichever one based on your hormones and xx or xy chromosomes.  This is why intersexed people can exist.  So if somebody was born with a uterus, how can they grow a prostate?

Melissa

Taylor's intersexed - had parts of both genders. He didn't grow one from nothing on T.

Dennis

I knew he was intersexed.  I just didn't realize that Sheila didn't know that.  That's why I couldn't understand her statement.  From what I understood, Taylor had said he was born with "a partially developed one" and was wondering if the tests would work accurately on his partially developed one.

Melissa

Oh my! I didn't know that Taylor was intersexed. Well, I learned two things today. Well, looks like I really don't have to go back to work. Summer is almost here, maybe I can start it early. Sorry Taylor, I didn't know.
Love Sheila

Hi All,

Not to worry Sheila I don't mind at all.  That was just too cute! :D

I will ask my doc more specific questions. She is a new doc for me, and I like her a lot...I rarely can say that about a doc. But anyway I will be seeing her on Monday and ask her for more information of what I need to know for the future and all. She said I was ok, so I guess that means ....well....ok lol 

Peace,
Taylor

And I must say I'm glad you don't grow a prostate on T. I just got rid of my two risks for hormone assisted cancer. I don't need to grow another one.

Dennis