I was thinking about having a hysterectomy to remove my uterus, as I feel very uncomfortable with it, but I'm not feeling brave enough to do it. I hate having a uterus, I don't want to get pregnant or anything, but at the same time I am too paranoid about the risks of having surgery to remove it. I've already had one operation to remove my breasts which was massive, and my mum and dad stood by my decision and never gave up on me. I've put them through so much already, I just want to end all the doctors appointments and hospital visits right now (and I am, apart from testosterone injections; they are mandatory).
I can only depend on testosterone to help me cope with it. Although pregnancy is still possible while being on testosterone, I am hopeful in my case that I am sterile. I hope my ovaries and uterus are permanently non-functioning. I have been on testosterone for nearly six years now, and I intent to keep taking it for life.
By declining to have surgery at this stage, I am worried that when I get a job and start going to work, I am worried that I will be raped if someone found out I am a transgender man, and I don't want to get smear tests or cervical screening. I'm not planning on having sexual intercourse with a cisgender man, so hopefully I won't need testing. But I seem to be in a paradox. I don't want to have tests for cancer and I don't want to have another operation because it seems like too much hassle. What do I do? Any advice is appreciated. I just hope that someday in the future there will be a much simpler way to perform a hysterectomy (I know keyhole is simple, but it's still a big step) or easier methods of testing for cervical cancer (for example by a blood test or two).
I don't want to offend any women, but having a female reproductive system inside of me disgusts me.
Hi, Jamie!
Welcome to Susan's Place.
Obviously, I can't relate from the point of view of being FTM, but I certainly do relate to having the wrong reproductive system.
Whether or not to have the surgery is an intensely personal decision. It will come down to balancing how much you want to avoid the risks of keeping your part versus the risks of the surgery.
Be sure to check out the FTM section (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,27.0.html) of the forum to get perspectives from others in the same situation.
Please feel free to stop by the Introductions forum (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,8.0.html) to tell the members about yourself. Here is some information that we like to share with new members:
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Thank you, Kathy Lauren for taking the time to reply to my post. I suppose if those circumstances were to become a reality, then I would probably force myself to get a hysterectomy then. I would rather have surgery than be examined for cervical cancer. If cervical cancer could be detected by a blood test, it would be okay.
I told the psychologist that I would leave the door open just now too, so if I ever do feel brave enough I can go back and get referred. Like I said, I hate having a uterus, and I feel very EMASCULATED, but I'm postponing surgery for now...
For the time being, however, I am going to try and keep a low profile and be very careful not to get involved with people I am uncomfortable with.