Damn, I got asked again quite unexpectedly during a blood test and I still don't have a good answer.

If I say I am past menopause, they still want to know at least the year of the last period.

If I say I don't have periods, they expect more information.

I prefer not to discuss my ancient medical history unless it is directly related.

Ideas?

Hmm, I think your last period was in...2003, if I'm not mistaken (wink, wink).

Yeah, hard situation when those things come up. It still surprises me when my boyfriend's family starts bringing up having a baby...I'm thinking, "Huh? Oh...yeah, that's right." But alas, I have no good idea about what to say in response to the period question. It's harder for me too since I can't even pull off the "past menopause" answer.

Do you think it would be terribly wrong to just come up with a random date that matches the typical GG timeframe of having their last period? It doesn't seem like they would inquire past that if you have a general year you give them.

~Sarah

I'll tell you what I used to say as a natal female who still gets those questions time to time.  For the "last period" question I said "I don't remember, I don't keep track."  If they press for more information (length of period, length of cycle, etc), I just said "I don't know" or say "I guess I'm regular/average" and leave it at that.

If you are over 45, you can say you are menopausal or post-menopausal and say your last period was over a year ago.  Menopause, by definition, is an absence of menses for at least one year.

"When was your last period?"
"I don't have periods."
"Are you on birth control?"
"I don't have ovaries."
"You've had a hysterectomy?" <---at this point in the real conversation, I told her I was a boy, because it was over a year before HRT anyway.
"Birth defect." <---gave that answer once


Expect to be asked for anything you ever do, medically. I have an exploratory procedure tomorrow morning, and of course my medical records are in a male name with a notation to refer to me by my female name. I've still been asked about menstruation. Luckily the nurse for this one was smart enough. "You don't menstruate, correct?" "Correct."

One could claim to have CAIS Which would account for pretty much all those "symptoms" (i.e. not having ovaries, periods, or the potential to be pregnant). If it is nothing serious then this answer may suffice, but I think if it is anything serious (i.e. more than just a physical) the total truth would likely be better unless you think that there is going to be harm that may come to you from disclosure, I don't want anyone to get an incorrect diagnosis or anything.

yeah, I've gotten that question a lot from doctors. I just say hysterectomy unless I have to out myself due to some trans-related medical condition.

I just say, truthfully, that I was intersexed and therefore sterile.

Sterility doesn't necessarily equal no menses.

True but it usually suffices as an excuse for all but the most persistent medical enquiry.

"I don't have periods"
"why?"
"I don't have ovaries"
"aww"

it happens, people are born and don't have ovaries, surprise surprise!

Yes, I have said I was born without a uterus, which is strictly true, and that seems to stop the questions with some degree of sympathy.

Quote from: Northern Jane on March 16, 2010, 09:45:56 AM
Yes, I have said I was born without a uterus, which is strictly true, and that seems to stop the questions with some degree of sympathy.

And yes that does happen!  I was born with only one ovary and a weird mass where the other one should have been.  All happily removed now!

Not sure how I can explain that I was born without a prostate....

LOL


Jay

nurse:  when was your last period?
me: oh, I don't get those
nurse:  oh, did you have some sort of surgery?
me:  well, I'm a transsexual and was born with male parts.  So I've never had periods

I figured they had a good reason to know.  It's nothing to be ashamed of.

I was asked this question today, took me by surprise, I said Id a hysterectomy, he wanted to question me further about ''my hysterectomy'' I just told him if he didn't mind, I didn't wish to discuss it, I think he excepted me not discussing it because  he was a male doctor respecting a woman's privacy, he didn't give it another thought, just another woman with a woman's problem, a sensible man doesn't go there.
p

I do get regular periods, but dont keep track of them at all, so I never know what to say either

"when was your last period?"
"uh..... couple weeks ago?? I really have no idea..."
"Oh. um..."
"well I know for sure its not right now."
"Ok"

Quote from: kyle_lawrence on May 04, 2010, 05:58:40 PMbut dont keep track of them at all, so I never know what to say either

Same here, and those damn PA's never give up, they won't let you get away without answering, so sometimes I just throw out some random date.

Quote from: kyle_lawrence on May 04, 2010, 05:58:40 PM
"well I know for sure its not right now."

LOL

I hadnt even considered that this might come up. (I am a bit slow, gimme a break)
Hmm. I think the born without ovaries excuse is neat. Factualy true and it leads them to make a false conclusion.

I'm 65 so there is not much to explain, although I tend to be honest with most doctors cause a CT scan will show a prostrate and unlike 10 years ago, nobody seems to blink the old eye or even ask any questions about transition.

The first time I was asked that was during a physical before I even started presenting as female which really caught me off guard (the doctor stood up, kicked his chair across the room and stormed out when I told him).  Second time was during transition, in the ER, and was caught again off guard but I just told the nurse I was transgendered and she complemented me and went on with her assessment.  After that I've been asked several times and I just tell them the truth.  The reason being is they aren't asking because they are curious.  They are asking because the answers to those questions are pieces in a puzzle for your medical history.  When you give false information you make it more difficult for a doctor to make an informed decision on your care.  Certainly, most time it seems the answers are completely irrelevant but that's not always the case.  I'd rather the medical staff knew my details and did everything right than to hide that information and hope they don't do something wrong. 

Well said, Brandi.  I would rather a patient be honest with me than lie, even by omission.  I also realize, though, that coming out to a doctor or nurse can be difficult, and for those who are stealth, it can be even more so.

I can't believe that a doctor would act so disrespectful and downright childish (kicking a chair and storming out).  Well, I can believe that, but that doesn't make it right.