Now everything makes sense. I had my appointment today with my PC physician this morning. After a thorough and humiliating exam, she said she could not feel any testis in the scrotum or in my abdomen where they might be undesended. She said she didn't think I have any at all. Not even undecended but she has refered me to a urologist for further tests. More humiliation. However, it make a lot of sense to me now why I look female with male genitals. That has always baffled me, my parents and close friends. I'll update as I find out more.
Wow! What a revelation!
*hug*
I hope this gives you some understanding and peace... it will certainly make transition easier/easy to justify to family and relations. I can only imagine...
Woo human stuff. Don't let the doctors appointments get to you. It's just part of the process of figuring out what's going on. Sounds like you have a pretty strong form of a congenital condition. Here's hoping that you're just on your way to an awesome outcome!
Quote from: robinmack on October 08, 2013, 12:08:24 PM
Wow! What a revelation!
*hug*
I hope this gives you some understanding and peace... it will certainly make transition easier/easy to justify to family and relations. I can only imagine...
I guess now I will find out if I need estrogen. It's a relief though to know my body isn't producing T.
Your face looks amazingly as female without feminizing effect of estrogen. So will they investigate why. Its good because you may only need a low dose of estrogen if you wish to go further or none at all if you wish.
Quote from: Tatyana on October 08, 2013, 12:51:57 PM
I guess now I will find out if I need estrogen. It's a relief though to know my body isn't producing T.
Absolutely... this gives you a great benefit; all the time you need to determine the path you wish to take without having to worry about T changing your features irrevocably. Although I imagine it was not easy at all for you when all your peers were going through "the changes".
*hug*
I wish you joy and happiness in whatever direction you choose to take in life.
I'm kinda curious - did nobody notice this before? Doctors doing physicals? Parents?
That said, I don't think you have to worry about T running wild in your system. :)
Quote from: Tatyana on October 08, 2013, 11:18:58 AM
Now everything makes sense. I had my appointment today with my PC physician this morning. After a thorough and humiliating exam, she said she could not feel any testis in the scrotum or in my abdomen where they might be undesended. She said she didn't think I have any at all. Not even undescended but she has referred me to a urologist for further tests. More humiliation. However, it make a lot of sense to me now why I look female with male genitals. That has always baffled me, my parents and close friends. I'll update as I find out more.
Don't feel bad or humiliated. No one likes invasive exams, but it is for your well-being.
From what you say in you post, you may very well have an intersex condition. You might want to look up "
anorchia." It will be okay. I am proud of you for taking control of you life and seeking answers.
There is nothing to feel humiliated about. Defects are much more common than people usually realize or are willing to discuss. Just remember that there is nothing wrong with you or your body. It's okay. Don't let yourself get humiliated by this. It's good you discovered this and are going to look further into this. My best wishes to you. Stay strong! :)
Quote from: ZoeM on October 08, 2013, 01:00:02 PM
I'm kinda curious - did nobody notice this before? Doctors doing physicals? Parents?
That said, I don't think you have to worry about T running wild in your system. :)
Only thing anyone noticed was my female appearance. My parents are layed back hippies from the 70s. They didn't see a problem with it. I'm sure doctors noticed but with my parents layed back attitude they probably brushed it off.
Quote from: Jamie de la Rosa on October 08, 2013, 01:05:29 PM
Don't feel bad or humiliated. No one likes invasive exams, but it is for your well-being.
From what you say in you post, you may very well have an intersex condition. You might want to look up "anorchia." It will be okay. I am proud of you for taking control of you life and seeking answers.
I guess the next step will be looking into SRS. Does anyone know if insurance would pay for it since this a birth condition?
Quote from: Tatyana on October 08, 2013, 01:47:21 PM
I guess the next step will be looking into SRS. Does anyone know if insurance would pay for it since this a birth condition?
It really depends on the insurance policy. I would imagine that some would argue that since you have the other bit, you don't physically need SRS, and would probably argue instead for hormonal therapy to make your body match you appendage. :P
Some insurance companies actually cover SRS for anybody as long as it is deemed medically necessary. Here's hoping yours is one of those... you can ask for a copy of your policy and go through it yourself, or you can call the insurance company and ask. I wish I could give you an unconditional "yes"... if I had my way, it would be flat out covered for everyone who needed it. :\
*hug*
Quote from: Joules on October 08, 2013, 02:05:21 PM
Hugs Tatyana.
That must be quite a revelation indeed, I can only imagine.
Can I ask a question? Have you been to a gender therapist? I see by your gender flag that you are identifying as female. It would likely be very helpful to any insurance claims to have a well supported professional opinion of your inner gender. I think it would be painful and aggravating to argue with "those people" about your real gender.
I've never seen one. I absolutely do identify with the female gender. Always have.
Quote from: Joules on October 08, 2013, 02:18:39 PM
Have you always presented as female?
Yes but then I couldn't pass as a boy even if I wanted to.
Quote from: Tatyana on October 08, 2013, 01:47:21 PM
I guess the next step will be looking into SRS. Does anyone know if insurance would pay for it since this a birth condition?
I've had corrective surgery for a genital defect that I was born with. Insurance covered it for my family, but it was not to change my assigned gender at the time. Fixing a genital defect as best as possible is a bit different from having a sex change. If you were born and assigned as "male" at birth, it would probably only be covered f they offer transgender care and SRS. Genital defects and intersex conditions, I believe, are usually covered, but you are now looking to transition which means you likely fall into the same coverage dilemma that trans people face. I could be wrong, but I believe this is the case.
Quote from: Tatyana on October 08, 2013, 01:47:21 PM
I guess the next step will be looking into SRS. Does anyone know if insurance would pay for it since this a birth condition?
If this is a congenital condition, perhaps your insurance will cover it. You really need to talk to your insurance plan and doctors. It might help to find out what your genetic karyotype is too.
Quote from: Jamie de la Rosa on October 08, 2013, 02:38:54 PM
If this is a congenital condition, perhaps your insurance will cover it. You really need to talk to your insurance plan and doctors. It might help to find out what your genetic karyotype is too.
What is a karyotype?
Poor you for all that poking a prodding.
How are you feeling in life, happy, depressed, concerned?
A karyotype is like if your XX, XY, XXY etc. I am 46XY which is 'normal' male karyotype...
Quote from: Emmaline on October 08, 2013, 02:47:56 PM
Poor you for all that poking a prodding.
How are you feeling in life, happy, depressed, concerned?
A karyotype is like if your XX, XY, XXY etc. I am 46XY which is 'normal' male karyotype...
Oh that's another issue then. I have no idea what my karyotype is but I will find out that's for sure.
There are some rare conditions in which a person with 46 XX genes has the appearance of a male at birth.
And there is always the possibility of chimerism or mosaicism. Both of these are the result of a "mixture" of XX and XY chromosomes in one individual.
It would just be good for you to have that knowledge, for your own peace of mind.
Well,
I'm nearing the end of a 20 month process with an intersexed condition. I hope I can share some do's and don'ts.
1. Urologist – get a high quality MRI looking for both ovaries and testicles. It should also be able to see a prostate and/or a uterus as well as other female anatomy. Make sure the person who is reading the MRI knows the testicles are either missing or aren't where they should be.
2. Karyotype – needs at least 30 blood cells, not the standard 3. It needs to be statistically relevant to rule out or rule in chimerism. Even then, getting that one diagnoses is tricky.
3. If you do have female parts, cool. However, that first visit to a gynecologist is really odd when you are missing the vagina so call first with what the problem is and then make the appointment if they feel capable of seeing you.
4. There are 12 +/- intrersexed conditions that can produce the symptoms you describe. Find out which one, exactly and then go accordingly. (Your description is lacking in detail.)
5. Don't settle for the standard DNA analysis if that is needed. Send me a message, I have a list of labs that actually can separate out a mixture of DNA s from a single source.
6. If the doctors put it into the system correctly, there is little or no reason why you're insurance doesn't cover virtually anything you need. I got FFS, SRS (such as it is) and breast augmentation covered (if I need it).
7. There are a number of good hospitals in the US and abroad for intersexed conditions. However, there are far more that are bad. Be careful. Check them out. I can send you some contacts from very good people (mainly Stanford) who will help you find the right doctors or hospital to go to. Send me a message if you would like.
8. If the really suspect chimeraism, go to a dermatologist and have them shine a UV light on you – it's correct about 90% of the time.
It is quite probable that you are more female than male. You are you and you are unique. You are also quite beautiful. Please, keep us updated.
Quote from: izzy on October 08, 2013, 12:56:14 PM
Your face looks amazingly as female without feminizing effect of estrogen. So will they investigate why. Its good because you may only need a low dose of estrogen if you wish to go further or none at all if you wish.
Wow! So does yours. Are you trans?
Quote from: JLT1 on October 08, 2013, 03:42:33 PM
Well,
I'm nearing the end of a 20 month process with an intersexed condition. I hope I can share some do's and don'ts.
1. Urologist – get a high quality MRI looking for both ovaries and testicles. It should also be able to see a prostate and/or a uterus as well as other female anatomy. Make sure the person who is reading the MRI knows the testicles are either missing or aren't where they should be.
2. Karyotype – needs at least 30 blood cells, not the standard 3. It needs to be statistically relevant to rule out or rule in chimerism. Even then, getting that one diagnoses is tricky.
3. If you do have female parts, cool. However, that first visit to a gynecologist is really odd when you are missing the vagina so call first with what the problem is and then make the appointment if they feel capable of seeing you.
4. There are 12 +/- intrersexed conditions that can produce the symptoms you describe. Find out which one, exactly and then go accordingly. (Your description is lacking in detail.)
5. Don't settle for the standard DNA analysis if that is needed. Send me a message, I have a list of labs that actually can separate out a mixture of DNA s from a single source.
6. If the doctors put it into the system correctly, there is little or no reason why you're insurance doesn't cover virtually anything you need. I got FFS, SRS (such as it is) and breast augmentation covered (if I need it).
7. There are a number of good hospitals in the US and abroad for intersexed conditions. However, there are far more that are bad. Be careful. Check them out. I can send you some contacts from very good people (mainly Stanford) who will help you find the right doctors or hospital to go to. Send me a message if you would like.
8. If the really suspect chimeraism, go to a dermatologist and have them shine a UV light on you – it's correct about 90% of the time.
It is quite probable that you are more female than male. You are you and you are unique. You are also quite beautiful. Please, keep us updated.
Thank you for that list of very interesting information. A lot of things to think about. Up to this point I thought of myself as just a stereotypical girl with a penis. Sort of a joke. My self esteem wasn't that great but now I'm starting to feel better about things. I hope they find some lady parts inside me. That would fantastic but I'm just going to wait and see where this takes me. My PC doc is setting up an appointment with a specialist. Hopefully I won't have to wait too long.
If the doctor couldn't find testes, it is worth having a really thorough examination by a specialist and probably an MRI to find out that you DO have. If you have parts of the female reproductive system it could have a huge effect on your future. Were you tested for estrogen? You may have ova-testes or even non-functional ovaries.
Welcome to the world of Intersex! ;D
Intersex medical issues are covered by insurance in the US much more frequently than transgender medical issues. Hopefully whatever policy you have will help you get things corrected so you can live your life as you should. I'm sure all of this must be quite trying and confusing at times.
*hugs*
Tatyana,
You look lovely & I'm sure in due time you will become a beautiful happy young woman. Please do not delay in estrogen & your planned SRS.
Thanks for posting & I'm sure all of us are very proud of you for sharing your life story.
Quote from: FrancisAnn on October 08, 2013, 05:56:05 PM
Tatyana,
You look lovely & I'm sure in due time you will become a beautiful happy young woman. Please do not delay in estrogen & your planned SRS.
Thanks for posting & I'm sure all of us are very proud of you for sharing your life story.
Thank you. I really appreciate all the support. This has been coming for a long time and this place gave me the courage to face it. It's nice to know that there are other people like me. I love you all.
Tatyana,
We all love you too. It is so difficult opening up about life sometimes.
You are young & deserve a beautiful life. Estrogen & as soon as possible should help you feel even more normal.
Take care of yourself & just try to relax.
Quote from: Tatyana on October 08, 2013, 04:12:07 PM
Wow! So does yours. Are you trans?
thats not my face, lol. i am trans.
Your gorgeous, one of the nicest girls I've ever seen. You do what you got to do and have SRS. Love and hugs. Beth x
Quote from: bethanyjadefowell on October 08, 2013, 06:47:42 PM
Your gorgeous, one of the nicest girls I've ever seen. You do what you got to do and have SRS. Love and hugs. Beth x
Thank you. And you are gorgeous too.
So that's why you are so beautiful. You are one lucky girl, Deep Sigh! :)
Quote from: Jessica Merriman on October 08, 2013, 08:48:24 PM
So that's why you are so beautiful. You are one lucky girl, Deep Sigh! :)
Yeah when I think about it I can't complain too much.
Just a question, do you feel female inside?
Quote from: bethanyjadefowell on October 09, 2013, 11:09:23 AM
Just a question, do you feel female inside?
Yes I think so. I definately have female emotions. I cry like a girl. I'm typical of a female when it comes to female things like clothes. I have no interest in things that appeal to men. So yeah I'm a girl inside no doubt.
Thats great! You are a stunning girl already and I hope you come to a good place discovering all about yourself.
I suspected I was mosaic xxy, so went through all the reading material whilst waiting for my results to help come to terms with the prospect- so I only kind of touched on your experience and am fascinated to hear about your journey.
But yep, ultimately I am your vanilla xy trans.
Def get a good MRI and have yourself a solid endo as well. You deg would benefit from a urologist and ultrasounds, those can be quite the little surprise keepers lol. And ya, I dare say you are gorgeous! A karotype test def will be more productive hen not at this stage. And dont fret, there are many of us IS ppl out there! There is a solid IS society as well, not at home so Ill have to wait to get home if u want the links? Welcome aboard! This all reads out to me 46xx, 47xxy, but i could be drastically wrong. Only proper testing could reveal that one. The possibilities are endless genetically, up to 47xxxxy really!
I think you look very pretty and i wish you good luck on your journey to help yourself.
That's very interesting.
You could be considered intersexed by your insurance, which, according to mine, is the only way you can get SRS.