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[–]MarkTwainiac 21 insightful - 1 fun21 insightful - 0 fun22 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

Another example of the impossible situation mostly female gynecologists are being put in today:

https://www.volusonclub.net/empowered-womens-health/when-caring-for-transgender-patients-heres-how-to-ensure-comfort-each-step-of-the-way/

As you can see, in order to cater to TIFs who hate their bodies and are easily triggered by biological reality, gynecologists are being told to

Avoid using gendered terms such as "well woman visit" for patients who do not identify as women. Consider updating all of the terminology and intake forms in your practice to be as gender neutral as possible.

But in the very next breath, gynecologists are being told that they must call TIMs women and provide them with medical care, even to the point of providing them with prostate checks, a task that is clearly outside the bailiwick of any gynecologist:

Gynecologists also play an important role in the lifelong follow-up of transfeminine patients, particularly those who have undergone vaginoplasty, or surgical creation of a vagina. Regular care for trans women can include a vaginal and vulvar exam, counseling on protection against STIs and instructions on the use of regular dilation to maintain the vaginal opening.

Regular breast exams and mammography may be recommended for trans women who take supplemental hormones. Ultrasound can be useful for evaluating the risk of prostate disease in trans patients with a prostate: One study in Facts, Views and Vision found that transvaginal ultrasound had a higher clinical value (and often patient preference) than digital palpation for prostate examination in patients who have undergone vaginoplasty.

My feeling is that if internal ultrasound probes designed for use in the human vagina are useful in prostate exams, then the male doctors who typically perform prostate exams should be training to use these devices. But that's not what's happening. Instead, an expectation is now being placed on gynecologists to do this. And not coincidentally, this is happening at precisely the time in history when female physicians have finally come to make up the majority - more than 60% - of practicing gynecologists in the USA, and when an even higher proportion - 85% - of med students and physicians still training to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology are female.

[–][deleted] 29 insightful - 1 fun29 insightful - 0 fun30 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

Don't forget us GPs. In Canada we provide the bulk of well visits and specialists are consulted as needed. And we're mostly women. Preventive care is turning silly now. The wrong patients are being sent Pap reminders already.

So if I have a TiM with prostate symptoms, I have to check him myself as I would any male patient. Thing is, normal men are embarrassed and often ask to just be referred to a male urologist, which is fine with me cause I'll have to anyway as my fingers aren't long enough to feel the whole prostate. TiMs are eager for it in a super creepy way, and if I do need to refer, they ask for a female urologist.

Oh and referring a TiF to either gyne or urology for (as an example where either could be useful) prolapse is super fun to type out. I end up using no pronouns at all and just repeating Patient Name over and over.

[–]kwallio 17 insightful - 1 fun17 insightful - 0 fun18 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

TiMs are eager for it in a super creepy way, and if I do need to refer, they ask for a female urologist.

Oh god this creeps me out so much. I would hate to be a urologist or gynecologist in today's climate.

[–]MarkTwainiac 13 insightful - 1 fun13 insightful - 0 fun14 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

So sorry you have to put up with this. It's madness.

[–][deleted] 12 insightful - 1 fun12 insightful - 0 fun13 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Thanks. It is bloody exhausting.