Hello. I'm FtM and I've been living with PCOS (Polycystic ovaries) since six years ago. Ever since starting testosterone, although my cycle is gone, I still feel discomfort and cramps every once in a while and believe I need to see a doctor about a hysterectomy before I change any of my documents as I know the insurance gets really pissy about it (I already changed my name but didn't tell the insurance). I am really hoping to find a doctor in the New Jersey, New York or Pennsylvania area that will be able to help me.

I have been trying to fight against the gynecologist I was seeing since six years ago about a hysterectomy (even before I transitioned and really knew that I was trans) and have always been met with excuses despite several ultrasounds throughout the years showing that I have cysts the size of golf balls in my ovaries. I feel sick and to make everything worse, I have been a Type 1 Diabetic for 13 years and I just really didn't want to deal with another chronic illness ever since I was diagnosed with PCOS six years ago.

Unfortunately, the topic of performing a hysterectomy on someone that is 24 years old (my current age) or younger is very controversial and I would think unless I was dying from this, most doctors won't do it because they think I would like to have children later. I have enough medical issues to deal with and never wished to have children as I can't take care of one because financially, I would never be able to due to my Diabetes. This apparently is not enough to convince gynecologists and my own gynecologist insisted I keep treating this terrible disease unsuccessfully with "pills" while I deal with the horrible side effects. To name a few, cystic acne and unbearable cramping. As it would turn out, I let my gynecologist of six years know that I was transgender and he was misinformed and I would even go as far to say he was transphobic. He expressed that he didn't think a female bodied individual could be a man "by nature" and a whole bunch of crap that is honestly best I don't mention because it was so insensitive. I have not gone back there of course.

I looked for a new gynecologist in the same hospital where my primary doctor is; they are aware I am transgender. He was apparently a good gynecologist but I knew I wasn't going to get any help when the receptionist called me by my "new" name. The doctor thought I was there to see him for a sex reassignment hysterectomy but I was there because of my PCOS. Now this baffled me completely. He said he didn't think a hysterectomy was necessary due to my PCOS and because "it would give me health issues" but he is perfectly fine with doing a hysterectomy for gender reassignment... This to me makes ZERO sense! Wouldn't I get health problems anyway with either surgery? The only difference is that insurance does cover for the PCOS hysterectomy and not the other one.

I asked my old gynecologist to transfer all my records to the new guy and not only did he take a fricken month to do so, but he also didn't send the latest ultrasounds that showed the cysts. He sent some ultrasounds that were around five years old! Seeing how the old doctor treated me, he probably did this on purpose to hinder me from getting what I need. The new doctor asked I get new ultrasounds but I can't be bothered to waste any more money on appointments if someone won't perform a hysterectomy based on the PCOS.

You can probably tell I'm frustrated at this point and will stop with the background story but I felt I needed to explain myself on why I need this procedure so badly. I have been on testosterone for six months already and I need to have this surgery asap before I change too much and the insurance starts to become complicated. Due to the fact that I'm Diabetic, money is definitely an issue already. Even then, my parents were willing to pay for a plane ticket for me to see a doctor I found online that is in Georgia and is transfriendly. However, it is just too much money ($450 just for the plane) and I would probably do this as a last resort. I am looking for someone closer in the NJ/NY/PA area. I already tried the Papillon Center in Pennsylvania but they unfortunately do not have someone that writes hysterectomy referrals at this moment.

Any sort of insight is extremely appreciated! I just want to feel healthy again. The PCOS is the worse thing that has ever happened to me and is worse than my own Diabetes. The two illnesses also do not get along and PCOS causes insulin resistance and I am insulin dependent. My blood sugars have been a mess since six years ago.

Alamos,

I am so sorry this has been such a challenge. You seem remarkably calm for all that. I am afraid I have no information that addresses your concerns. However, we have a large membership from around the world. I hope one of our members might be able to find some names for you.

I also want to share some links with you. They are mostly welcome information and the rules that govern the site. If you have not had a chance to look through them, please take a moment:

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

Once again, welcome to Susan's. Look around, ask questions and join in. I hope you find what you are looking for.

With warmth,

Joanna

Hello,
I highly recommend the trans friendly surgeon Dr Scott Richard at the Hahnemann University Hospital in PA who will help you get your hysterectomy covered.

Quote from: Joanna50 on June 23, 2016, 11:36:41 AM
Alamos,

I am so sorry this has been such a challenge. You seem remarkably calm for all that. I am afraid I have no information that addresses your concerns. However, we have a large membership from around the world. I hope one of our members might be able to find some names for you.

I also want to share some links with you. They are mostly welcome information and the rules that govern the site. If you have not had a chance to look through them, please take a moment:

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

Once again, welcome to Susan's. Look around, ask questions and join in. I hope you find what you are looking for.

With warmth,

Joanna

Thank you for your support! I have been reading posts here for a bit and decided to finally join when I found myself in this situation. Please let me know if I screwed anything up, haha. I've read the links you provided. I've been through a lot but I feel this is my current big hurdle that has unfortunately gone on for too long because it's hard to find an understanding gynecologist and even more when you're transgender. Most people don't want to deal with it or in my experiences, don't know how to.

Quote from: FreakOfNature on June 23, 2016, 02:33:01 PM
Hello,
I highly recommend the trans friendly surgeon Dr Scott Richard at the Hahnemann University Hospital in PA who will help you get your hysterectomy covered.

Hi, thanks so much for your recommendation. I will look into this doctor tomorrow. I thankfully have family in PA that would let me stay with them if I do end up going to see him. I really hope he will take my insurance.

If the doctor that was already mentioned doesn't work out, look into the OB/GYN department at George Washington University Hospital in DC. They handle all the hysterectomies for transmen in the city here. It would not be a terribly long trip, and you could take the train instead of flying.

I would also consider calling Mazzoni Center or Callen Lorde and seeing who they refer hysterectomies to. Those would both be much more local to you.

Have you been regularly getting medical care covered with your legal name not matching your insurance? That could be an issue for a major surgery/hospital procedure so if you haven't already set that precedent, I would look into getting it updated on there before you have surgery.

Quote from: FTMax on June 24, 2016, 07:57:16 PM
If the doctor that was already mentioned doesn't work out, look into the OB/GYN department at George Washington University Hospital in DC. They handle all the hysterectomies for transmen in the city here. It would not be a terribly long trip, and you could take the train instead of flying.

I would also consider calling Mazzoni Center or Callen Lorde and seeing who they refer hysterectomies to. Those would both be much more local to you.

Have you been regularly getting medical care covered with your legal name not matching your insurance? That could be an issue for a major surgery/hospital procedure so if you haven't already set that precedent, I would look into getting it updated on there before you have surgery.

My Diabetes medication and my hormones are being covered still. My endocrinologist I see for my Diabetes luckily also deals with transgender patients so he prescribes the hormones and knows I legally changed my name; they haven't talked to me about changing the name on the insurance just yet.  There's not much info on whether I have to change it right away but I will look into it asap once I can hopefully have a doctor agree to help me. I just got the name to go through around two months ago.
I'm afraid to get the name changed on the insurance right away because I know insurance companies think your ovaries magically disappear when you change your gender lol. Then they pretty much stop offering help, which is scary for me because I know that my condition will only worsen with the testosterone. After having such bad experiences with gynecologists, I'm afraid to go get my ovaries checked due to the cramping because it's so horrible sitting in that room with people looking at you weird and then the doctor ain't much better.

I'm in Jersey and I think I will call the Callen Lorde Center. Thanks so much for the resources! I've just started so I don't know much of where to go specially with all my health issues. I do have family in Pennsylvania so that's why I extended my search for a doctor to this state but New York is much more accessible and I know my way around it.

QuoteAfter having such bad experiences with gynecologists, I'm afraid to go get my ovaries checked due to the cramping because it's so horrible sitting in that room with people looking at you weird and then the doctor ain't much better.

The doctor I mentioned is so nice that he specifically has opened Fridays just for the people who feel that way while women have their appointments other days.

Good luck with your process anyhow.

Not sure where you re with your medical transition but you might want to contact Mount Sinai which is supposed to open or has opened a center for transgender medicine and surgeries. http://www.mountsinai.org/patient-care/service-areas/center-for-transgender-medicine-and-surgery