I've been thinking about this the last week or so. I get really bad periods (which are always combined with cramps from hell that, without Midol, limit me to doing nothing but lying in bed groaning in pain), and for most guys it takes a few months on T before they finally stop. In 3 to 6 months, depending on... well, a lot of things... I'm going to come out as trans at work, and start taking T. Problem is, I'll most likely still be getting periods, and men's bathrooms don't have any discreet ways of disposing of pads (I can't use tampons. Don't ask.) so... what the heck am I going to do about that? I'm working full-time so it's not exactly avoidable.
Anyway. The point is, I don't know of any way to stop getting periods without taking some sort of estrogen (going on the pill, etc.) which I really don't want to do. And I definitely want to stop getting them before I start T, so things are less complicated, and because getting periods is a huge cause of dysphoria for me. So the only other option is to get a hysterectomy before I even start transitioning. I don't have insurance, but I will after 6 months of working (just barely got the job) or maybe a little sooner, I'm not exactly sure. So, I'm not sure how much it'll cost me, or if there will even be a significant difference if I wait til after I have insurance to get the surgery. Also, since I just barely started this new job, I don't know how long I should wait before asking for time off for surgery. That might not be an issue though since it might take me a while to save enough money for it. Thoughts?
I can't recall a single drop of blood after my first T shot. I don't think that's uncommon. At the most, you're probably looking at one or two more periods. If the main reason for the hysterectomy rush is periods, you're probably worrying for nothing. You could always place the product in tissue and carry it to the trash when the coast is clear.
What about asking for estrogen blockers with your testosterone prescription? I got both and took the blockers for a week before starting T and while on T. I only got my period once because I was due anyway but after that I never had one again. And the longer you take the estrogen blockers before T the faster T can start in your system when you get your shots since it won't have to fight so much with estrogen.
Quote from: quinn on April 16, 2011, 02:56:41 PM
Anyway. The point is, I don't know of any way to stop getting periods without taking some sort of estrogen (going on the pill, etc.) which I really don't want to do.
I'm wondering what your specific objection is. Could you perhaps reconcile yourself to the Pill if it's part of your transition plan, if it relieves you of the monthly agony while you're getting ready to go on T, and if it obviates the need for dealing with the pads-in-the-men's-room problem?
Mind you, I'm not telling you what to do, but I think you should carefully consider your options. You might be missing out on a good TEMPORARY option for a reason that isn't very tenable.
I was on the Pill for years, and it gave me a great deal of relief from miserable periods. Later in my life, I was able to get a few extra packets of pills every calendar year and only take the first three weeks' worth of pills in every packet--so I could skip periods entirely. (I was told to give my body a break and take the fourth week of pills every so often.)
At least one pill regimen is specifically designed for folks to have only a few periods a year.
All I'm saying is, investigate your options.
Another thing to consider: if you have perfectly horrible periods, you might indeed qualify for medically-necessary hysto. However, you might have problems getting the surgery covered once you come out and once you start T. Insurance companies often look for any way to avoid covering surgeries that they think might not be "necessary" as they define the word.
So do your research, think about what you're willing to do and what's worth doing, and see if you can arrive at a sensible timeline.
Blockers might be a good thing to look into. I forgot about that because I've never known a guy IRL who went on estrogen blockers.
Oh, and the pad problem--you might be able to manage if you carry a small ziplock bag for the used pad and then, as Forum Admin suggests, throw it away later when you can.
The blood acquires a distinctive odor once it hits the air--keep that in mind. And also remember that a lot of employers will give you some trouble about the bathroom situation anyway. Does this company's written policy have anything about trans folks?
JayUnit: Thanks, I didn't even think of that :)
Arch: My specific objection is I've taken the pill before to stop getting periods, and for whatever reason it didn't work, just made them 2 or 3 days shorter. So I assume any other similar method would also not work for me. I have PCOS, so I figured my insurance (once I get it) just might cover part of the surgery, since it could be considered medically necessary. But I have no idea what my insurance plan is going to be like, and I'm not sure how much a hysterectomy costs without insurance (I've heard anywhere from $3,500 to $10,000, so I really have no idea). I was thinking of getting a hysterectomy before I start T because I'm going to get one eventually either way, so I might as well do it before I start transitioning so I have a good chance of paying less.
The company doesn't have any written policies about trans people, but they are very invested in other non-discrimination issues, and are adamant about their ideals of judging employees based solely on work performance. I doubt they've ever had anyone who's trans work for them before, I think that's the only reason they haven't specifically got it in their non-discrimination policy. Based on their attitudes, I think there is a very good chance that they'll be fine with it when I come out as trans.
I see, Quinn. I'm thinking, though that if you have no periods at all, that would be an improvement. Or the blockers are a good idea, something to look into.
I've heard all sorts of price estimates for hysto and don't know what to believe.
I've also heard that some types of procedures are far less invasive than others and require far less recovery time. Maybe you can opt for a less-invasive surgery and not take much time off from work. Once you get your health insurance, you'll know more. But also consider that once you've gotten past the probationary period, you should be able to take time off for legitimate medical reasons.
But it's hard to be patient and not worry about it, isn't it? And even if you're not worrying, you want to plan...
P.S. Sorry, Forum Administrator. My bad.
Like Forum Admin, I stopped the evil bleeding after my first shot. I did have one for a few days a couple weeks ago but it wasn't bad enough to have to bother with anything. Maybe you could bring a backpack to work and use a specific pocket of it with a little bag like they suggested and no one would need to know?
Arch: Yeah, I like to have everything planned out neatly, or else I start worrying about the future too much. Do you think I could get estrogen blockers without telling my doctor I'm trans? I think if I did that, he might say it's not good for my health, or try to discourage me in some way because it isn't the healthiest thing to go without getting a period for an extended amount of time (or, so I've heard). I guess I could tell him I'm trans but at this point I don't want any medical records noting that I'm trans, as then I might be denied coverage for when I get a hysterectomy. If I got blockers, is there a possibility my insurance would look at that and, once I could get a hysterectomy, somehow connect the dots and realize I'm trans, and try to deny coverage? Or am I just being paranoid?
Andrew: It's not just that I'm worried they'll find out. It's also the fact that I absolutely hate dealing with it, even with taking Midol I still get bad (though not debilitating) cramps and I'm generally in a bad mood just because of that. Then there's the dysphoria, it makes me feel like such a girl. I don't mean to shoot down you guys' idea but I don't want to go with that option.
When you have estrogen it produces a lining on the uterus that build up and release when you have your period. If you take estrogen blockers it stops the periods from actually forming.
The only thing your doctor might be concerned about is that fact that you're blocking your dominant hormone. Even when women have a hysterectomy they have to take estrogen pills after. And I'm not sure a regular family doctor can prescribe you it. You might have to get it from an endocrinologist.
Quote from: quinn on April 16, 2011, 09:52:22 PM
I don't mean to shoot down you guys' idea but I don't want to go with that option.
It's alright man, I get it. I used to end up in tears and wasn't able to go to work because I couldn't stand up straight sometimes due to it, so I do somewhat understand. I hope you can find a surgeon who will perform it and your insurance will cover it. Good luck man :)
Quote from: quinn on April 16, 2011, 09:52:22 PMI don't mean to shoot down you guys' idea but I don't want to go with that option.
Quinn, you want what you want for your own reasons. Shoot away.
I was thinking that you would have to get the blockers from an endo outside of your insurance--pay out of pocket and keep your records from getting into the hands of your insurance provider. Or, if there's an informed consent clinic in your area, you might be able to go that route. Or even Planned Parenthood might help...but maybe not. Anyway, the Republicans are busy gutting the PP's budget...
In short, I doubt that there is an easy and direct route for you to take. But once you figure out what you need to do, go for it.
Thanks for the help, guys :)
Just a quick question about the pill you mentioned, was it a low or high dose pill? I was put on the pill when I was twelve for regulation because my period was hell on earth, and the first pill they put me on did bugger all. They doubled the dosage and suddenly it worked a charm.
I've spoken to my GP about not taking the sugar pills, and she told me there hasn't been any real proof that not having your period does damage to the body, she said most GPs will tell you to take the sugar pills every couple of months as a precautionary measure. She told me straight up I would be fine to just keep taking them, especially since I plan to get all of the plumbing removed as soon as possible anyway :P
I went four months without, then I went away for a weekend and forgot my pills so the red death visited again, then another precious four months without. If you could get a pill that actually worked for you, as horrible as the idea of taking estrogen is, I think it's probably the quickest, easiest fix you'll find, and it won't cost like I'm told hormone blockers will.
Other than that, I really don't know how you'd fix the problem XZ It's great you have such a supportive work though! I actually found a small paragraph in my employers policy specifically covering trans workers, and it was the best feeling ever! :D Hope it all works out for you!
Quote from: MaxAloysius on April 17, 2011, 08:31:54 AM
Just a quick question about the pill you mentioned, was it a low or high dose pill? I was put on the pill when I was twelve for regulation because my period was hell on earth, and the first pill they put me on did bugger all. They doubled the dosage and suddenly it worked a charm.
Now that I think about it (don't like to remember this stuff if I can forget it), I was on one pill that didn't work at all for me when I was in my twenties. Constant spotting. It was a nightmare. They put me on a higher-dose pill, and that did the trick. Then, later in life, I encountered a pill that had graduated hormone levels instead of constant ones. That worked fine, too, but I was in my middle to late thirties by then. I think some people have to experiment, and a lot might depend on how your body ages and stuff like that.
I have no idea what the dosage was, probably a low dose since it didn't work. I think I'd rather avoid experimenting with estrogen doses though, even though blockers are more expensive. This probably sounds silly, but I hate the way estrogen makes me feel, especially when it's at its peak in my mensing cycle (ew! i hate that word!), I get so emotional over everything, it's freakin ridiculous. Seriously, I end up crying over everything. Maybe it would be less extreme if I had a constant, level dose of estrogen instead of it varying so much, but the thought of taking estrogen still makes me shudder. So even though I have to present as female for a while, I would feel a lot more comfortable feeling as un-female as possible (it's sort of impossible to feel male when you even have to wear ladies' deodorant so it isn't obvious you're trans!).
I guess one concern with taking blockers is, if my body isn't producing estrogen (or, enough of it to get periods), wouldn't that make my testosterone levels increase, as there's no estrogen to balance it out or whatever? What I mean is, since I don't plan on coming out as trans until after I get my hysterectomy done, which will be at least three months from now and more likely to be six months from now, I can't look too masculine (or even androgynous) or people will notice something's going on... At the moment, because I have PCOS I have enough facial hair to be furry for a woman (but a 13-year-old cis-boy probably has more facial hair than me), and overall I just have way more hair than cis-women, so I already feel self-conscious about that since I'm trying to present as female. Also, my voice is noticeably lower than 99% of cis-females, though it's still definitely more on the female side of things. So, if taking blockers increases my T levels even by a little bit, I'm worried it'll be more and more noticeable.
Quote from: MaxAloysius on April 17, 2011, 08:31:54 AM
I actually found a small paragraph in my employers policy specifically covering trans workers, and it was the best feeling ever! :D Hope it all works out for you!
That's awesome! Thanks, I hope so too :)
Ok, I'm just totally over-thinking this. Here's the plan: start taking estrogen blockers soon, save some money for a hysterectomy, wait til I have insurance, get the surgery done, then come out at work and start taking T. So now I've officially got a plan! xD
Quote from: quinn on April 18, 2011, 06:55:38 PM
Ok, I'm just totally over-thinking this. Here's the plan: start taking estrogen blockers soon, save some money for a hysterectomy, wait til I have insurance, get the surgery done, then come out at work and start taking T. So now I've officially got a plan! xD
That's great man! You're looking at it very maturely :)
I too want a hyster ASAP, with no insurance and making just enough to live on it is yrs away. There are several procedures used some have very small or no scars and recovery is fast. I am 23 so insurance complanies want lots of data and a good medical reason to pay. I use tampons and am still concerned everytime I need to change in the mensroom. I hope you find a way to get a hyster soon, my cramps are bad every month too.
I kept my ovaries even though they were cystic, and had my uterus removed at 47 after bleeding nonstop for 2 years because I was on estrogen blockers with T. Tamoxifen is a form of estrogen, and while it works to prevent new breast tumors, it targets the uterus and ovaries. My estradiol on T and tamoxifen went from 32 to 174 in 3 months, and was over 200 in three more months. Even though I had a lumpecomy (they will not do mastectomies in Hawaii for FTM for prevention or plastic surgery, even for cash). Tamoxifen made me lose 30 pounds, a lot of hair, any smell made me vomit, food made me sick, and I lost muscle mass and my breasts got 2 inches larger, which reversed when I stopped the tamoxifen. Its chemotherapy. Don't rush out and think its a panacea.
When they took out my uterus it had 6 pounds of tumors in and growing outside of it on stalks.
You are not a lab rat. Use a good endocrinologist. Changes happen slowly with hormones, and if you try to rush them you can get very ill.