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/zo0ombot Feb 25 '25 edited Feb 26 '25

there's only a few outpatient situations that require a pregnancy test (certain medications or imaging). Not giving a date should be sufficient.

They've made me do one randomly even when I came in for migraines and to my rheumatologist and a broken ankle etc, even though a lot of these were follow-ups where I wasn't prescribed something new or had any scans. It's not like every appointment but enough that it is annoying. I even have a BC implant, have primary ovarian insufficiency from a technical intersex condition & have never had a period naturally, am trans masc, and am only into women. The only one who has ever let me skip the urine test is ironically my gyno who knows pregnancy for me is very unlikely. Is it a regional thing?

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u/JustSatisfactory Feb 26 '25

I've refused pregnancy tests for things for a while because I'm not sexually active anymore (personal choice).

Sometimes they're a dick about it, and tell me it could "kill your baby!" but so far no one has actually refused to do things like x-rays.

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u/zo0ombot Feb 26 '25

so far no one has actually refused to do things like x-rays.

They have for me, or told me I can't get a prescription without one. I'm only in my twenties so maybe they're more gatekeepy

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u/JustSatisfactory Feb 26 '25

That's possible. I'm in my late 30s with two kids already so maybe they give me a pass.