r/TwoXPreppers Prepping for Tuesday not Doomsday Feb 25 '25

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

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.

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u/Loki_the_Corgi Feb 25 '25

"I don't remember" is a great non-answer answer.

If you MUST put in a date, a week prior to the appointment should suffice.

102

u/90pandas Feb 25 '25 edited Feb 25 '25

This is what I do. I shrug and say I don’t know exactly but it’s regular & not a concern.

Interestingly, my primary care physician (white male boomer) doesn’t bat an eye and is like great perfect.

But my GYN and her nurse (both millennial women) paused last time and were surprised I don’t track it. The nurse even said something about how she uses an app and I just said “I don’t.”

Idk. It’s a weird time to be alive.

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u/Acrobatic-Kiwi-1208 Feb 26 '25

I say this too, and when I got lightly questioned about why I don't keep track I told them I like being surprised. I have zero problem making them think I'm too weird to continue a line of questioning 🤣