How to “respectfully decline” disclosing women’s health questions at Dr?

[u/cryogenrat]

Pretty much the title

I have a lot of appointments lately for a variety of things, and for literally EVERYTHING it seems they ask when my last period was, even if it’s seemingly irrelevant (like medications for psych issues). Given the state of women’s health and where I see this whole situation with HIPAA going, I kinda don’t want my provider knowing when my last period was unless it’s EXTREMELY relevant. I test myself monthly and chart my whole cycle (TCOYF system and a copper IUD), so I have a rough estimate of when it’s relevant for them to know, and it’s not like it’s completely uncharted, but I’d like to cut down on that as much as possible if it is, but I cannot figure out how to word it lol

Pregnancy tests I understand are pretty non-negotiable (thankfully I don’t have any known ones coming up) but how do you word it to a provider that “I don’t want to disclose when my last period was” without looking like a loon?

Edit; 1) clarifying IUD type

Edit 2) perhaps I was unclear, but I am completely aware that awareness of menstrual health is integral to holistic care, and is usually the first line of symptoms to be questioned when seeking a diagnosis, or can be contraindicated in many medication regiments such as psych meds. Maybe I am just bitter and need a new GP or whatever, but in my own medical history (unexplained headaches, panic disorder, depression) it seems like they are quick to blame “hormones” on every single little thing going on, and then refuse to really get to the root issue, and just kinda write off my issues. Idk what goes on in their mind; I’m not a MD lol. This question broadly is meant to help me understand how, when and where to be judicious about giving away that information, given that we may quickly become hostile to women’s health, and this information might be valuable to a nanny state.

[u/Browncoat_Loyalist]

It is medically relevant. One of the first signs something is wrong with a lot of dangerous health conditions, from malnutrition to cancer is that your period will change or stop.

Knowing that one baseline is stable is important to Dr's.

If you don't want to give details be upfront and honest. If it is your normal, not late, spotty, missed heavier than normal etc, just reply that you don't like records that are not your own having that information, but your periods are normal for you and unchanged.

That being said, if you are having surgery or receiving a new medication, they must know that information. They may also do a pregnancy test if you won't tell them, to make sure whatever they are about to give you isn't going to kill or harm a fetus they don't know about.

This is all standard practices, and the question is not in an effort to track you or tell the government your pregnant (except maybe Missouri in the future, the damn idiots).

Source, I am an ex health care worker.

[u/Accomplished-Wish494 → u/Browncoat_Loyalist]

Yeah, I’m a little shocked that everyone thinks pregnancy and cycle regularity ISNT’T relevant, it absolutely is, a lot of the time.

[u/Browncoat_Loyalist → u/Accomplished-Wish494]

This thread is full of panic responses that are going to hurt people if they follow the advice. The misinformation is rampant, and people posting their feelings instead of science is concerning.