So I've never been to the gyno.. but I'm 22. And well mom has been hammering me about going.
A. I really don't want to.
B. What in the world is one of the doctors going to think when they see my leg hairs grown like a beast
C. I really don't want to.
What have some of you guys done about that?
If your doctor gives you a pap smear then you don't have to go to a gyno
I am 40 years old and have had a total of 3 pap smears
My hormone doctor is a gyno so it's all covered
i'm 26, and i haven't had one yet. i know i need to, i'm just really good at doing that avoiding thing.
I went to one, about a year on T
I had to be rushed to the hospital because of servere pelvic pain, turns out I had a really bad infection in my cervix. so yeah I had to have a surprise visit from the gyno.
she was really professional, and she was the only dr or nurse there that was ice enough to not use any pronouns towards me.
It was really awkward, but I was in too much pain to care, plus they had given me painkillers so I was a little high.
I would suggest to just close your eyes and pretend you arent there, it will be over in just like 3 minutes.
I just told my mom I went and never did.
I haven't yet, but I will be soon because I haven't had one ever and that has been dumb on my part because I have a history of reproductive problems, mainly cysts.
A professional doctor will not say anything about "hairy legs". There are tons of women identified people who have hairy legs. Sometimes we have to do things we don't want to. It's part of being a grown up. If you are on T and plan to stay on it, this is something you have to get taken care of. Even if you aren't on T it's a part of your body that needs regular monitoring. You can request a sedative beforehand if you feel you can't make it through without one.
I haven't had one ever...I don't think I've ever even gone to the gyno. LOL God, seems like we are all on the same boat. No one wants one.Though let's be honest, trans or otherwise, no one wants to have a doctor checking them there...I don't know when I'm gonna get that done. I live with my family and again, I want to avoid this as much as possible. What am I supposed to do? Go to my mom and be like "Hey, I wanna go to the gyno!" LOL Not likely going to happen...
We should all really get this done though...LOL Let's all meet up and go to the same doctor! A support gyno group for the trans man who just doesn't want someone dealing with their junk! Then we can all have hairy legs and none of us will feel like the odd man out!
I have had a gyno appointment once a year for several years, twice a year in a few cases. The pap smears suck, but other than that, it's pretty much like a normal physical. Don't worry about hairy legs/hairy anything. My gyno never even blinked when I went in, and it had been at least a few months since I shaved anything. I would say if you are nervous, ask for a sedative and tell them that doctors make you really uncomfortable like Andy8715 suggested.
I mean, no it is not fun to have to go, and it sucks to put your legs in stirrups and get poked at. It's doubly not cool since we shouldn't have those parts to begin with. But, as someone who has had a really bad infection there once, I would say just go and get it over with. It doesn't last long at all and the stirrups only last maybe 5 minutes.
And really, the way I think of it is this: at least it isn't a colonoscopy. Not looking forward to having to get one of those. Camera+Butt=So not cool.
Quote from: Nick on February 13, 2012, 01:57:27 PM
Let's all meet up and go to the same doctor! A support gyno group for the trans man who just doesn't want someone dealing with their junk! Then we can all have hairy legs and none of us will feel like the odd man out!
:laugh: I support this statement.
Quote from: Ayden on February 13, 2012, 02:14:22 PM
:laugh: I support this statement.
LOL Right?! That would be awesome!
I'm 30 years old. I've never been to a gyno and I don't plan to ever go to one.
I had to have a gynae exam for the Marine Corps. Other than that, I've never been. My GP wants me to have a gynae checkup to be sure there isn't any disease or condition present that could be exacerbated by T. I'm already depressed right now and dread it. But it needs to be done for my welfare. My GP wrote in the referral letter that I am trans so no worrying about hairy legs for me.
Awesome feedback guys. I do believe we're all about in the same boat. I just know it's something that is prob. safe to go and get done. I just don't want to feel judged or more uncomfortable than I have to be. I'm sure everyone here understands. Oh well... gotta suck it up and face the music I suppose.
The GP who I go to for HRT, on informed consent, does my pap smears too. So no awkwardness at a random gyno. Yay!
Oh I did go to a regular gyno pre-T with hairy legs and no one cared or said anything.
Are you having (or have had) sex? It's my understanding that the whole PAP thing comes into play only when you're having sex. The regular exam thing checks for a number of other issues.
I started going when I was 14 because I was sexually active and figured the creepy experience was probably less bad than whatever my mind was manufacturing at the time about the possible alternatives. :laugh:
I have had to go yearly since I was a young teen, as my endometriosis is severe enough that I have to be on a certain dosage of birth control or I can't function.
I hate it, it terrifies me every time and makes me feel sick for a week beforehand. I've had a different doctor each time because they all rubbed me the wrong way, asking about why I don't have a sex life, telling me I'm unnatural, I need counseling and sex therapy, etc. They don't know I'm trans, they just know I'm 25 and a virgin, and I always tell them I am perfectly happy that way and just uninterested in sex.
To those of you who've gotten out of the pap smear, how do you do it? I tell every doctor that I'm a virgin and do not want the pap done, but they all tell me they won't renew my prescription to birth control if I don't do it.
I do agree it's probably healthy to have a check-up (though you bet I'd be like some of you guys and hide from it if I could still get my pills any other way) but the pap is not necessary for someone who is not and does not have plans to be sexually active, from what I've read.
I'm sexually active with my girlfriend. NEVER have had sex with a guy. I've only ever been sexually active with two others girls besides her in my entire existence though.
I recently finally found a gynecology place I'm comfortable with. I occasionally get a funny look or two from the other patients, but the staff are cool and never misgender me. And the doctor is mellow and respectful.
Felix, it must seems strange to the other patients to see a guy sitting there to see a GYN. It is great that staff and dr are good with you. What name does the nurse use you when she called for you in the waiting room to go back to the exam rooms? I am 22 and have never seen a GYN or had a female exam, I am not sexually active either.
They probably just assume your a patient's boyfriend or whatever.
Quote from: mm on February 14, 2012, 01:23:55 PM
Felix, it must seems strange to the other patients to see a guy sitting there to see a GYN. It is great that staff and dr are good with you. What name does the nurse use you when she called for you in the waiting room to go back to the exam rooms? I am 22 and have never seen a GYN or had a female exam, I am not sexually active either.
They call me by Felix. Which is key to my being comfortable there. The last place wouldn't do that. I understand it's difficult to use male terms for someone coming in to get this particular kind of healthcare, but if they can't do it I can't work with them except when I have an emergency.
I do have my name legally changed but I think it will be awhile before I get it changed on my insurance.
I know it's on a whole different topic Felix... but how do you go about getting all the legal name changes?
Quote from: Caleb on February 14, 2012, 08:10:17 PM
I know it's on a whole different topic Felix... but how do you go about getting all the legal name changes?
Lol that's a big question. It's different depending on where you live. I have a court order but I haven't had time to go to the SSI office yet, and I'm putting off the DMV changes until my next budget cycle because it's $60. SSI records change is free, and needs to happen before the driver's license.
Filing for the court order where I am cost $110 plus $5 per copy of the order, and I had a 2-month wait to see a judge. I had to post a notice with my original and intended name on the wall of a little room in the courthouse for 2 weeks.
I was told at my library, bank, etc that I couldn't use my new name unless I had photo ID in that name. I could argue with them on that but I'll be getting the ID soon enough anyway. So as it stands, my legal name is for all practical purposes just a nickname.
I can't change my health insurance name until I go to the dept of human services and get my casefile changed. The post office told me they didn't care, as I'd already been getting mail "for the parent of" a kid with the last name I chose, and they had it on file.
Anyway. It's a bit of a messy process and different for everybody. I'm sure there's a walkthrough on the internet somewhere.
I'm loosely going by this - http://www.resourcespdx.org/non-medical/change-sex-oregon-id/ (http://www.resourcespdx.org/non-medical/change-sex-oregon-id/) and this -http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/dv/chgname.shtml (http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/dv/chgname.shtml) but you'd want to find local versions of this info.
I forgot we have a wiki ;D
https://www.susans.org/wiki/Changing_legal_name (https://www.susans.org/wiki/Changing_legal_name)
Quote from: Caleb on February 14, 2012, 08:20:07 AM
I'm sexually active with my girlfriend. NEVER have had sex with a guy. I've only ever been sexually active with two others girls besides her in my entire existence though.
People who are FAAB but have only had sex with women are still at risk of getting HPV and at risk of cervical cancer.
weirdly, out of the blue my doctor called me up yesterday to talk to me about getting a smear. synchronicity much? reality shaping at its finest....
so now i have an appointment on monday. bah.
Thank you Felix!
And no way schism? Ironic. I'm sure everything will go fine though.
yeah, yknow, my apprehension was way disproportionate to the experience. it was quick and unremarkable.
also while there i found out that the psych letter has finally been sent to the gender clinic, hell yeah.
I saw my gynecologist yesterday. I've been sick and so haven't had sex in like a month, but the last time was with a sketchy guy. At some point he took the condom off, and I realized but only after significant unprotected contact. Stupid sleazy entitled bastard.
So. Between the creeping anxiety about that and the fact that my foot has been infected for weeks AND OMG I'M GOING TO DIE OF AIDS, I decided to call the genitalia doctor. The office staff asked my name and I simply spelled my former last name, not knowing what was actually in the computer. They were cool, said oh hi Felix what's the problem. I said I had unprotected sex with a stranger and need to make sure I don't have an STD or HIV. They offered me an appointment the following morning.
I went in the next day, and the office staff were happy to see me. I do think there's an element of they like me because I make their job more interesting, but I'm not offended by that. They're pretty respectful. They called me by my right name, and nobody else in the waiting room looked up or seemed to really notice me. I should mention I was also carrying a large toy alligator because I had to pick up my daughter later. People in gynecology lobbies tend to have things on their mind.
I saw the doctor, and she seemed a tad trepidatious and not sure how to address the situation at first. She visibly relaxed and became efficient when I was straightforward and rational about what my fears were and what I needed. She answered my questions and treated me like a normal person. When it came time for the pelvic exam she was careful, explaining what she was going to do and making sure I was okay with the different steps and aspects of it. She followed my lead on terminology.
This lady is not used to having male patients. She was recommended to me by another ftm, but it's clearly new to her. She slipped up on gendering once - I mentioned menopause and hot flashes, and she asked if that happens to other women who take testosterone. All I said was "um" and she was quick to apologize and correct herself. I'm willing to cut a vagina doctor a lot more slack than other people, honestly, and this lady has only screwed up that one time in the three times she's seen me.
I was happy with the fact that she didn't let her professional curiosity affect the exam. She didn't react to or ask questions about my clit at all, and limited all transition related questions to what was relevant to my health. Her morals didn't affect the exam either. I got no questions about drug use (which a lot of people associate with nonmonogamy) and no lectures of any sort. She takes me at my word that I know how to use and usually do use condoms. The whole visit was quick and easy.
All in all, least unpleasant gyno appointment I've ever had. Not what I expected considering the reason I saw her.
Well good to know you had an overall pleasant visit with the gyno Felix!
I still haven't made an appointment to see a gyno. My g/f has offered to tell hers about me, I'm leaning more into that if I do decide to go. I've never had sex with a male, so I'm not worried about anything really. I just feel it'd be the smart thing to get done. Since being on T, a month now, I've noticed my clit being bigger and REALLY sensitive. Normal?
I had no idea you had a kid! Which when I was reading it made me want to ask you a question about that. How do courts look at child custody and such considering you're an ftm?
Quote from: Caleb on February 29, 2012, 06:20:48 PM
Well good to know you had an overall pleasant visit with the gyno Felix!
I still haven't made an appointment to see a gyno. My g/f has offered to tell hers about me, I'm leaning more into that if I do decide to go. I've never had sex with a male, so I'm not worried about anything really. I just feel it'd be the smart thing to get done. Since being on T, a month now, I've noticed my clit being bigger and REALLY sensitive. Normal?
I had no idea you had a kid! Which when I was reading it made me want to ask you a question about that. How do courts look at child custody and such considering you're an ftm?
Totally normal about clit enlargement. I saw effects within the first week. It took awhile to get used to the fact that if it gets brushed against by underwear or whatever, it feels very different than it used to.
I have had to fight for custody. I don't want to go too much into that on an open forum, but I will say that your sexual and gender orientation does get taken into account. Family court is pretty no holds barred, and a lot of typical civil protections don't apply. But unless you live somewhere really conservative, nobody should have a problem with your identity if it's not hurting the kid. FTM's have it easier in custody battles than MTF's, and a good lawyer on either side can change everything.
Oh I see. I was just curious to how that all worked.
And yes... the clit getting bigger is crazy how quickly it happened. Not complaining though!
Quote from: Caleb on February 29, 2012, 08:49:37 PM
Oh I see. I was just curious to how that all worked.
And yes... the clit getting bigger is crazy how quickly it happened. Not complaining though!
Me neither. ;D
Pleased to know it worked out well for you Felix.
I suppose there are still results to come back from swabs, etc?
Or did she give you a clean bill of health?
Whatever you do Hun; look after yourself. Susan's just wouldn't be the same without you.
Be safe, well and happy.
Lotsa huggs
Catherine
Quote from: Catherine Sarah on February 29, 2012, 09:59:30 PM
Pleased to know it worked out well for you Felix.
I suppose there are still results to come back from swabs, etc?
Or did she give you a clean bill of health?
Whatever you do Hun; look after yourself. Susan's just wouldn't be the same without you.
Be safe, well and happy.
Lotsa huggs
Catherine
Thanks Catherine. I like it here. I tend to pick a place and stick with it if it's okay, and Susan's is more than okay.
Regarding ickier things, I got a call today saying I was clear for everything they checked from my vaginal/cervical juices. I'm still waiting on the results from my blood.
What a relief that phone call was. I'll bet you celebrated after that one.
Bloods no doubt be the same.
And Susan's OK because of you.
Huggs
Catherine
Quote from: Catherine Sarah on March 01, 2012, 08:58:03 AM
What a relief that phone call was. I'll bet you celebrated after that one.
Bloods no doubt be the same.
And Susan's OK because of you.
Huggs
Catherine
I celebrated mostly because they opened the call with "mister." ;D