Update to this post: https://old.reddit.com/birthcontrol/comments/1ctn3bbirth_control_fixed_my_asexuality/?ref=share&ref_source=link
So, I dug up some medical records because I was curious. I had gotten multiple hormone tests (age 19 & age 23) because of persistent depression (I am now 27).
They showed that even though my estrogen was in a "normal" range, it was verging on the lowest it could be without dipping into abnormal, no matter the phase of the month. Same with progesterone; the specific urine test I did had a low range of 1450 during luteal, and I got an off-the-charts low 222. Testosterone was normal.
I then compared it with a blood test I happened to get while on the BC; estrogen was at normal ranges, and HGH was high (too high, which is why I discontinued it, but that also must have been driving my libido). Progesterone was normal.
The only thing I can think is, I had 0 sex drive my entire life because of low estrogen. I finally found a wonderful, handsome, incredible dedicated partner who I was unbelievably attracted to, and now I can't even stand how he smells or want to have sex with him unless I'm taking a pill. That's so heartbreaking I can barely stand it.

A lot of people were texting me on my older account on how I did it/advices/material etc. I couldn’t reply to them so I decided to make a post summarising things I did, and things I wish I did. I would try to be as elaborate as possible so that it’s clear. For context my preparation for NEET when I started my drop year was almost zero as I didn’t study in 12th AT ALL and i forgot everything I did in 11th (even though I used to score 650+ in my tests and was in toppers pod of two institutes including aakash janakpuri). I would also be attaching some of the revision material that I have (please download it as it might get deleted). If you still have any query, please comment, I’d try answering it.

PHYSICS

• I completed my 11th syllabus from Aakash and I did my 12th through one shot of physicswallah on youtube (it was taught by alakh pandey and MR sir)
• I solved Aakash Modules (only till Section C)
• Aakash Catalyst only for specific topics I was weak in like thermal physics, electrostats, etc (although i wouldn’t recommend solving this, keep this at the least priority)
• I also had Pre and Post Class Assignments from my older institute which were given during revision sessions. (I was in a batch called Eklavya NEET of Vedantu, it’s a free batch if you are scoring 500+ if you are dropper or if you clear the entrance test, batch usually starts in december). There were two assignments per chapter (pre and post) with 40 questions each.
• I also solved questions that the teacher taught and were in the notes.
• In the last month of my preparation, I only did PYQs till 2013(highly recommended for the last leg of revision) and something called sprint material (attaching the link, i’d recommend downloading the folder as it might be deleted) https://drive.google.com/drive0/folders/1aQOpWcCvmqNmqS7mbqO75jYgjqApMu28
• Adding physics question bank here, these questions were basically handpicked by a very good teacher so you can refer to this for revision too

https://drive.google.com/drive0/folders/1jZkseP60DTa1uFC3DGcAPVeY7aMV964I
this also has the assignments i mentioned above

• Also read the summary part and the points at the end of each chapter of Physics NCERT.
• One thing I regret not doing for Physics is reading the physics NCERT as there were new pattern theoretical questions this year.
• For physics, I don’t suggest going into very tough questions. I’d suggest sticking to the basics.
• The most important thing I did for physics was making short notes after solving the modules, I wouldnt recommend making short notes before solving questions, make it after you did the chapter once or twice. I revised only my short notes 5-6 times in the last month of NEET. Add all the formulas, graphs etc in your short notes or anything you think you can forget.
• For Physics, how I studied it was I went thought the sessions while making notes and then solved Examples, Exercises and Section A,B,C in Aakash Module.

CHEMISTRY

• I completed both 11th and 12th from Aakash from my teacher as he was quite good and made good notes. There is this teacher called harendra singh parihar in unacademy, definitely the best chemistry teacher in the country, would recommend doing his course.
• I’d suggest reading NCERT just once for Physical Chemistry, solve examples only from NCERT for organic chemistry if you have proper notes and 5-6 times for IOC and atleast twice for Biomolecules.
• As far as the material is concerned it’s mostly the same as physics- Aakash modules (examples exercise section abc), Assignments and the Sprint Material. Sprint material was basically for revision in last one and a half month. Attaching material below, one is NEET level, other is JEE level so solve according to your convenience and level.
• https://drive.google.com/drive0/folders/1-IS0X2jB0JXSD8HbS88R7RdcQRtzxTTo
• https://drive.google.com/drive0/folders/1qfAzu2lbnHF-uwzYKRbqbKRYEscsatcC
• I also referred to NCERT Maps by Aakash for questions
• For chemistry, I made short notes after solving modules (only for physical and organic chemistry)
• For physical chemistry, I added formulas, graphs, and stuff I can forget and are important from exam perspective (mostly factual stuff)
• For organic chemistry, making short notes was the best thing I did was make short notes as reading proper notes made in class was a pain. I wrote all the reactions, orders (the comparison ones for BP, MP, density etc or any other physical property) in my notes. I also wrote C+ rearrangement, no rearrangement, mark, anti mark, etc besides the reactions so it was easier and more organised to remember.
• Making notes for chemistry even for inorganic chemistry is highly recommended and it’s much easier to remember by reading notes than books or pdfs. Also leave a few pages after every chapter so that you can add extra information you found in PYQs or NCERT in your notes.
• Also please do salt analysis as questions were asked from it this year.
• Once again PYQs are very very important for the last leg of revision, I only recommend solving PYQs in last 10 days before NEET. (atleast till 2010)

BIOLOGY

• For biology, I didn’t follow any teacher in drop year and only read NCERT as I attended lectures during 11th, 12th (although it was very high level stuff)
• Contrary to what most people say, i definitely recommend doing certain topics in detail to get a better understanding of the topic once (not the factual extra topics). I am not saying you need to learn the extra information, I just recommend going through it once, if you understand it, great if not then just let it be and move on. Especially for topics like MBI, POI, Physiology, you can do certain things in detail.
• I made NO NOTES for biology, I only and only read NCERT, atleast 5-6 times in the last 2-3 months. I’d recommend not solving PYQs for biology in the early stages of preparation and keep it for the revision phase to get an actual idea of where you lack..
• Revision material I did for bio, attached below, I will explain how to solve it and this is 100% the best material for biology you can find anywhere as it gives a very thorough revision of NCERT (I did these sometimes when I was not able to get myself to do NCERT)
• https://drive.google.com/drive0/folders/178pEprZ1h_R857siRk10zbyMhBmK_70v
• There are two sets of Revision in this (ignore the third one- the olympiad questions). I recommend solving Revision 1 in January and February. These contain NEET level questions, a lot of PYQs and some out of topic questions which can be relevant from NEET perspective and have been asked before.
• Keep Revision 2 for March and April, the questions in these are completely NCERT based, Assertion Reason, fill in the blanks, statement questions, true false, all are in it. Revision 2 basically has every question possible that can be asked in NEET. There are almost 500 questions per chapter in these and I never really felt the need to do anything beyond this except for tests. I didn’t even do Aakash Modules for bio, only this material and PYQs.
• For certain chapters like Respiration I sometimes made flow charts for krebs cycles, glycolysis, ETS to remember in 3-4 pages and for Plant growth and development i made pointers for each hormone as it was confusing for me. That’s all the written work I did for Biology.
• In the last 4 months of preparation, only stick to NCERT.

Tests and Syllabus Completion

• Unlike a lot of people I don’t believe that you necessarily have to finish syllabus by december january. It’s good to finish syllabus early but don’t rush it. You can complete your syllabus by February if you are also revising the older chapters side by side.
• I tried to give Aakash tests but i felt that the scheduling was extremely uneven and there were a lot of tests congested together in the january February march whereas they earlier just had 1 test a month.
• I also felt a lot of aakash tests were not NEET appropriate especially their FTs and AIATS (although a lot of people may disagree with me). Their NCERT rank booster series was okay, you can attempt that.
• Also please don’t rely on teachers to complete the syllabus. Do it yourself if you feel they are going very slow and try to do the tough chapters in the earlier months.
• I also stopped giving Aakash tests after January’s AIATS coz i felt i had to complete my syllabus first. I completed it by February but the good was that i had revised the chapters simultaneously atleast once or twice. Revision phase is where the short notes are most important.
• Also for tests, I’d recommend giving 20 Full Mocks in March April. IK a lot of people recommend doing 50+ mock tests but all that’s bs. Mocks are for analysis and not for revision. if you only give mocks you’d forget the older topics (even the ones you did correctly in the earlier mocks). The number of mocks don’t matter, the important thing is to identify your gaps and work on it. I’d recommend giving 2-3 tests in a week.
• For Revision do short notes as i mentioned for physics chem (PC and OC), NCERT for biology, IOC and modern physics and PYQs.
• For tests, I’d recommend CSTs and NEETPrep (altho i didnt completely attempt either, I attempted a different test series which was pretty good too)
• Aakash FST is overhyped and bullshit, definitely not recommended, dont focus on part tests in march april but full tests. I got below 600 in my first full mock in march and was touching 700+ in the end of april.
• Give your last test preferably three days before NEET. And then go for thorough revision for the rattafication chapters.

So that’s all, I might have missed certain aspects of my prep, so feel free to ask.

Introduction
In order to supply energy for regular bodily processes, glucose is necessary. Blood glucose levels rise in diabetics as a result of a relative or total insulin shortage. One hormone is insulin. A hormone is a substance that our bodies' glands secrete. The pancreas is the name for this gland, which is located in the abdomen. Insulin functions as a gatekeeper, permitting glucose to enter the cell. If the body produces too much insulin or if insulin's function is compromised, too much glucose builds up and damages the cells in different organs. Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the body cannot utilize glucose to meet its energy needs. Insulin is necessary for the entry of glucose into cells, as we have already mentioned. For this reason, when cells cannot use glucose to the fullest extent, the body attempts to generate extra glucose through a process known as glycogenesis. Here's how blood sugar levels continue to rise in the absence of food. Diabetes occurs mostly in two forms. The initial kind, or insulin-dependent diabetes. Only insulin, the primary medication, is effective in treating it. Younger patient age groups frequently experience this. Type II diabetes is the second kind, which is not insulin-dependent. In India, this is a growing trend. People older than 40 are typically affected by this. Exercise, nutrition, and oral medicines can all be used to manage this group.

If uncontrolled diabetes is not caught early enough, it can have harmful effects on all areas of the body. The illness needs to be properly treated even if a person does not now experience its effects. Neglect and complacency are never safe. Keep in mind that maintaining good control over the disease is essential to living a normal life. One of the main risk factors for developing complications from diabetes later in life is poorly managed diabetes. The chart below illustrates a few of these concerns for complications. This isn't meant to frighten you; rather, it's only meant to highlight how crucial it is to manage diabetes.
Diabetes food pyramid
Two of the most crucial things you can do to improve your health are to eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise. You can accomplish this by using the Food pyramid guide, the Physical Activity Guidelines, and the Healthy Eating Guidelines. Eating a healthy diet entails consuming the right proportions of the vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, and carbs that your body needs to stay healthy. On each shelf of the Food Pyramid, foods that are similar in terms of nutrients are placed together. This provides you with a variety of food options from which to select a nutritious diet. Getting the correct balance of nutrient-dense foods within your calorie range can be achieved by using the Food Pyramid as a guide.
Research indicates that we consume an excessive amount of calories from foods and beverages on the Top Shelf of the Food Pyramid that are high in fat, sugar, and salt. They barely contain any of the vital vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Restricting them is necessary for a healthy diet. You need different nutrients every day depending on where you are in life. These are determined by your age, gender, level of activity, and gender.
Understanding food pyramid
•Restrict your intake of items from the Food Pyramid's top shelf. Considering that these are heavy in fat, sugar, and salt, this is the most crucial Healthy Eating Guideline.
•Use fresh ingredients when preparing and cooking your meals. Because they are often heavy in fat and salt, ready meals and takeout should not be consumed frequently.
•Consistently read the nutrition label; look for excessive amounts of sugar, fat, and salt.
•Consume at least five different colored fruits and veggies each day. Make regular choices of leafy green vegetables. Smoothies can be included in your daily servings of fruits and vegetables, but try to limit your intake to those that contain fruit or vegetables. Look for fat and sugar on the label.
•The greatest foods to feed your body include whole grain bread, potatoes, whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, and high-fiber cereals, especially porridge. These foods also satiate hunger. They offer a gradual release of energy. Recognize that different varieties may have different amounts of calories.
•Instead of frying food, use healthy cooking techniques including steaming, grilling, baking, roasting, and stir-frying. Limit your consumption of fried items like chips.
•Increase your fish intake; it's high in protein and contains essential vitamins and minerals. Make an effort to consume oily fish, such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel,
at least once a week. They contain a lot of omega-3 lipids. Reduced-fat cheese, low-fat/no-sugar yogurts, and yogurt drinks are the better options.
•While preparing or serving meals, use as little or no salt as feasible. Instead, experiment with different flavorings including lemon juice, herbs, spices, pepper, and garlic. Eat as much fresh food as you can. Check the food labels for the amount of salt.
•An adult needs eight to ten glasses or cups of liquid every day. 200 ml is roughly one cup. If you exercise, you will require more. Teens and children should drink often throughout the day. The ideal fluid is water.
•Make time to sit down at a table and eat three meals a day. Eat mindfully and give your food a good chew. You may overeat if you eat while watching TV or using a computer since it can cause you to become distracted by how much food you are consuming. Alcohol contains calories, so if you drink, do it responsibly within advised limits and ideally with meals.
•Always make time for breakfast, as those who eat it are more likely to maintain a healthy weight.
•You shouldn't need to take food supplements if you consume a healthy, balanced diet unless your doctor tells you to. Nonetheless, it is recommended that all sexually active women of reproductive age take 400µg of folic acid daily, ideally as a supplement. Vitamin D deficiency in the diet can be addressed by discussing supplementation with your physician or pharmacist.
•Eating a healthy diet both before and throughout pregnancy lowers the chance that your unborn child may develop lifestyle disorders like obesity and heart disease. Breastfeeding is highly advised since breast milk provides additional protection.
•Take into account how much food, excluding fruits and vegetables, you eat from each shelf of the Food Pyramid if you are overweight.
Conclusion
A diabetic diet's ingredients differ from person to person. A balanced diet is an excellent way to treat diabetes. Making a nutritious diet is made easier with the guidance of the diabetes food pyramid. Diabetes can be beaten with a balanced diet, appropriate medication, and a healthy lifestyle.

my story is very long and complicated so i’m gonna try to sum up the background info as much as possible. sorry for the novel.
at the end of 2019 i gained 30lbs in 5 weeks out of the blue. no lifestyle changes whatsoever. i had a bunch of other symptoms which led me to suspect something was up with my thyroid especially since i have a lot of family history of thyroid issues. i went to a bunch of different doctors who basically told me to eat better & exercise more. finally a gyno tested my tsh & ft4 which came back “in range” tsh 3.5, ft4 1.7, ferritin 26. she said everything was fine and actually ended up diagnosing me with endometriosis and put me on birth control. i ended up slowly losing 20lbs where i leveled out for a few years.
i had i shit ton more health issues that arouse over the course of the next 5 years including POTS, chronic spontaneous urticaria, and a small bout of melanoma. thyroid panels were ran twice in this time span and all came back in optimal range and negative for tpo antibodies.
now fast forward to march of this year(2024) i went in for an allergy appt on the 6th and i weighed 146lbs which is my normal weight post starting birth control. i went to my pc on the 25th and i weighed 165lb. so i gained about 20 lbs in 2.5 weeks. i was seeing my pc since i had been so fatigued, cold, irritable and a laundry list of other symptoms but when i saw that scale i almost cried because it felt like deja vu. told him the whole story, he ordered labs & sent me to an endocrinologist.
labs at the end of march were tsh 3.74, ft4 1.16, ft3 2.8, and tpo antibodies at 9. endo on march 27th said my labs were technically in range but all borderline and now i have tpo antibodies when i didnt before. she said because all of that on top of having symptoms and such extensive family history with thyroid disease that it was possible i was in early stage hashimotos. she put me in 25mg of levothyroxine and told me to come back in 6-8 weeks. i had to call and ask for an earlier appointment because they actually scheduled me for 10 weeks out.
after about a week or 2 on levo i started to feel much better. i got my energy back, wasn’t so irritated all the time, gut regulated, body started feeling less achy, not so cold all the time, sleeping 8 hours & not needing a mid day nap. until about 2 weeks ago. then all my symptoms came creeping back. so i called for an earlier appointment which was today.
she had me do labs last week and only ordered tsh, ft3, & ft4. first red flag for me was why she wouldn’t order a tpo-AB considering it came back positive last time and especially if she’s considering hashimotos?? second red flag is she hasn’t ordered a single other lab outside of these since i started seeing her. not even a cbc or metabolic panel.
results from last week were tsh 1.03, ft4 1.31, ft3 3.1 and when i saw her for my appointment today she asked how i’ve been. i told her about how i felt great for a few weeks and then declined again. she replied with “well your levels are perfect so the levothyroxine worked, if you’re still having symptoms then it’s not your thyroid. also you gained 5lbs more.” so i asked if she thinks it’s not my thyroid causing my symptoms then what is or what’s the next step to try and figure out what’s going on? she looked me dead in my face and said “you’re not having any hormonal issues, your labs came back perfect” i asked how she could possibly come to that conclusion after she’s only run 3 tests? she told me not to get mad at her and i told her i’m not, i just want to know what to do next. she asked me about my periods which i told her if she looked at my chart she would see i’m on continuous birth control for endometriosis. she then tried to blame the weight gain on the birth control but i gained the original 30lbs before ever starting birth control and haven’t changed the brand or missed a dose in almost 4 years. she said “well then nothings wrong with your hormones” finally i told her i would like a second opinion and for her to at least run some more labs. she ordered a morning cortisol test and is referring me to the research hospital which she said would take 2 months to get an appointment.
here’s the kicker after all that- she asked what i wanted to do about the levothyroxine and if i wanted to stay on it. i told her i wasn’t sure because i felt marginally better but she’s telling me there’s nothing wrong with my thyroid. so she said , WORD FOR WORD, “i’ll just keep you on the levothyroxine and they can deal with it”
TL;DR kinda——— so to recap, the levothyroxine is apparently “working” but i also don’t have any hormonal issues or problems with my thyroid even tho she hasn’t run a single test outside of tsh, ft3, & ft4. but i should stay on the synthetic thyroid hormone until the doctors she’s pawned me off on can “deal with it” in maybe 2 months even though i have “absolutely have nothing wrong with my thyroid” and my labs are “perfect” now.
please make it make sense????? how can i simultaneously have nothing wrong with my hormones but need to continue taking hormone replacement?? i’m at a complete loss and honestly dont know what to do next. my mom recommended the woman’s care facility that helped with her menopause issues because they do hormone centric healthcare. i’ve got an appointment with them next week but i’m so exhausted. i just want a doctor who cares whether i live or die and that i have even an ounce of quality of life.
to be clear-even if there really is nothing wrong with my thyroid, SOMETHING is causing these symptoms and no doctor should be making such definitive statements without even running the proper tests first.
looking for any tips or maybe people with similar stories that found a solution. thanks in advance

https://www.patientcare.va.gov/lgbt/
I get 100% of my healthcare through the VA. I have no service connections (disability). It’s pretty crazy how much they have under one roof. All providers are able to see your entire chart and I’ve been helped out by many with getting referred to specialists I would never have thought to ask for, simply because they’re all able to see everything.
General primary healthcare
Nutritionist
Case management (super helpful for navigating the VA system as well as getting veteran resources outside the VA)
Hormones
Therapy
Psychiatry
Voice feminization training
Laser hair removal
And several other things including various therapeutic group things
Another fun bonus thing is that your health information can be synchronized to your Health app on your phone. I have a complete medical history right there for me to keep track of including all bloodwork and diagnostic stuff and literally any bit of information that they add to your chart. Right there.
Sadly they don’t yet offer gender affirming surgical services yet except for every specific cases. See link down below.
You’d be surprised what things count as a disability. I’m about to be connected for having astigmatism in my right eye caused by months of being on a periscope. I didn’t think simply “now I wear glasses” would count as a disability but hey I’m not complaining.
You can also be referred to civilian providers on the VA’s dime if they don’t have the means to provide it themselves within a reasonable drive distance.
You can get reimbursed for literally any mile you drive to any scheduled appointment. My VA doesn’t have the equipment so I drive from Albany to the Manhattan clinic for laser and get roughly $180 back every time.
I completely get the skepticism of the VA but for real they’ve changed A LOT especially for LGBT vets.
Each clinic has an LGBT coordinator who can be a fantastic way to start the process.
https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/VAFacilities.asp
Copied from their website:
Gender Affirming Care at VA Information for Veterans VA provides a wide range of treatments to all eligible Veterans. Gender-affirming transition-related care plans are personalized based on your goals and your health. Talk to your treatment team to see if these services are right for you.
• Gender-Affirming Hormones: Your primary care team can help you with hormone therapy if it is right for you. Medications aren’t a goal for everyone and they have both risks and benefits. The team may involve an Endocrinologist. Talk to your treatment team about your family building goals and fertility before starting treatment.
• Pre-treatment Assessments for Gender-Affirming Hormones: In the U.S., all prescriptions are linked to a diagnosis the medication is treating. Providers will talk to you about your gender identity and your goals for treatment and consider if a diagnosis is appropriate. Blood work and other tests may be needed before hormones are prescribed.
• Voice and Communication Training: Speech Language Pathologists trained in gender- affirming treatments can help you train your voice and movements to align with your identity. This care is sometimes delivered through telehealth to your home.
• Fertility Preservation/Family Planning/Lactation Support: VA has services to help Veterans store eggs and sperm, as well as build and support families. These are coordinated through VA Women’s Health. Talk to your doctor about your options.
• Gender-Affirming Prosthetics: Several items are available through the VA when medically needed. These can include, but are not limited to, breast forms, chest binders, dilator sets for post-vaginoplasty, gaffs, packers, surgical compression vests, and wigs. Talk to your treatment team about what is right for you.
• Medically Necessary Hair Removal: Hair removal often happens through referrals to community-based centers. While availability varies, VA is working to improve access for all eligible Veterans.
• Letters of Support for Gender-Affirming Surgery (outside of VA): Some Veterans use their private health insurance or pay out-of-pocket for surgical treatments. Most surgeons and private health insurance companies require letters from your current treatment team, both medical and mental health (if applicable). VA providers can coordinate care with your surgeon.
While VA cannot yet provide initial gender-affirming surgical procedures, VA does provide surgical care for the following:
Some complications of surgeries, including revision surgeries for unexpected problems
Removing testicles or ovaries for hormone management if prescription hormones aren’t an option for you
Needed surgeries for other medical reasons (e.g., cancer, back pain) that are also consistent with your transition goals

I’m 35, I noticed the lump initially because I thought I was developing a clog (I’m still nursing my 18 month old) but it didn’t go away and also didn’t develop into mastitis. So I had it checked out and here were are I guess
I had a mammogram and ultrasound, then two biopsies. Both came back as cancerous earlier this week.
I have my first appointment with a surgeon today but I haven’t seen an oncologist yet. Is this a normal sequence of appointments?
Any idea what I should expect going into this?
Edit: also when I got my results the nurse mentioned that the surgeon would do the staging and treatment plan. Is that realistic to expect today? Or just the plan for surgery and an overall treatment plan after more testing and seeing the radiation oncologist?
Edit 2: just got a notification in MyChart- my nurse navigator scheduled me a consult on Tuesday with a hematologist/oncologist
Edit 3: I learned a lot and also not much at my appointment with the surgeon. We need an MRI and genetic testing before they’ll finalize their recommendations for treatment.
I learned I have an aggressive form of cancer. Hormonally sensitive and I need to remove my hormonal IUD asap.
I feel like I have so many things to be scheduled and I just want the answers so we can make a plan! I’m guessing it will take at least a couple weeks to get to that point though.

Hi everyone, my name is Alan. I’m 18 and I have yet to medically transition, although I’ve been waiting to basically all throughout my teen years. Next Thursday, I’m going to a planned parenthood here in NC to seek hormone therapy.
The problem is, I’ve never had therapy (cbt) to discuss my eligibility for hrt, and my pcp said I had to receive this kind of therapy for a year. However, my pcp told me this when I was underage (17), so I don’t know if the requirements change now that I’m 18? She also completely forgot about it in my recent visit. It’s okay that she doesn’t remember everything I tell her, I understand she sees a lot of patients every single day, but I kinda expected her to note it in my chart somehow? Anyway, I didn’t go back for months to therapy with my pcp because I was going through a lot of things in my life, and I kinda neglected myself the better part of a year. Now I feel out of touch with my pcp. I also made the appointment at planned parenthood on my own without speaking to her first.
To those who have received hormone therapy from planned parenthood, what can I expect? Also to my fellow people in NC, how was your journey with the healthcare system when you were medically transitioning?
Advice and comments are appreciated! Thank you.

I was at the OBGYN today for some hormonal issues I’ve been having. We were going through some of my symptoms and I mentioned a right side pain under my ribs that started about a year ago but has gotten worse in the last few months. The NP looks at me and goes “well did you know about this cyst on your right kidney?” I said “what?” She goes “Yeah there was a cyst on your right kidney in this CT scan from 2022.”
Not one doctor in the ER in 2022 told me about this cyst. Last year I was diagnosed with NAFLD and started seeing two gastroenterologists who I had complained to about this pain and they both failed to mention this, sending me on my way with no answers. Seems as if no one had read my medical history and I could have avoided a ton of anxiety had any of the doctors done their job and their research. I get they’re busy but geez. This has been a big deal for me for a long time and I’ve never had answers. Thank god for NP’s that read their patients’ charts.
I guess my question is, if it’s starting to hurt a ton (sharp pains that come in waves, really bad episode last week, haven’t figured out what makes it worse) I’ll probably need to have it “removed” or whatever they do with that long needle right? And is there anything I can do in the meantime to help ease pain or even reduce the cyst?
Before you say “see a doctor,” I have an appointment tomorrow with my primary to get me set up with a specialist. I just have health anxiety and thought maybe some advice would help me sleep better tonight lol.

Certainly, here's a comprehensive overview of infertility, covering its types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options:
Types of Infertility:

1. Primary infertility: When a couple has never been able to conceive despite regular, unprotected intercourse for at least a year.
2. Secondary infertility: Occurs when a couple has previously conceived and given birth, but is unable to conceive again after a year of trying.

Causes of Infertility:

1. Ovulation disorders: Irregular or absent ovulation can be caused by hormonal imbalances, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, or stress.
2. Fallopian tube damage or blockage: Conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis, or previous pelvic surgery can cause scarring or blockage of the fallopian tubes, hindering the fertilization process.
3. Uterine or cervical abnormalities: Structural issues in the uterus, such as fibroids, polyps, or congenital anomalies, as well as cervical mucus abnormalities, can affect fertility.
4. Male factors: Low sperm count, poor sperm motility, abnormal sperm morphology, or blockages in the male reproductive tract can contribute to infertility.
5. Age: Advanced maternal or paternal age can reduce fertility due to declining egg and sperm quality.
6. Lifestyle factors: Factors such as obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, and exposure to environmental toxins can negatively impact fertility.
7. Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, cancer, or sexually transmitted infections, can affect fertility.

Symptoms of Infertility:

1. Inability to conceive: The primary symptom of infertility is the inability to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse (or six months for women over 35).
2. Irregular menstrual cycles: Irregular or absent menstrual periods may indicate ovulation disorders or hormonal imbalances.
3. Painful periods or intercourse: Conditions such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease can cause painful periods or discomfort during intercourse.

Diagnosis of Infertility:

1. Medical history and physical examination: Healthcare providers will inquire about the couple's medical history, lifestyle factors, and sexual habits, and conduct a physical examination to identify any potential causes of infertility.
2. Ovulation testing: Ovulation can be assessed through methods such as tracking menstrual cycles, basal body temperature charting, ovulation predictor kits, or blood tests to measure hormone levels.
3. Semen analysis: A semen analysis is performed to evaluate sperm count, motility, morphology, and other parameters of sperm quality.
4. Imaging tests: Ultrasound, hysterosalpingography (HSG), or hysteroscopy may be used to assess the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries for abnormalities.
5. Hormone testing: Blood tests can measure hormone levels such as estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and thyroid hormones to assess hormonal balance and ovarian function.
6. Diagnostic procedures: Procedures such as laparoscopy or hysteroscopy may be performed to directly visualize and diagnose abnormalities in the reproductive organs.

Treatment of Infertility:

1. Lifestyle modifications: Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, weight management, and avoiding harmful substances, can improve fertility.
2. Medications: Fertility medications such as clomiphene citrate, letrozole, or gonadotropins may be prescribed to induce ovulation or improve egg quality.
3. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART):

• Intrauterine insemination (IUI): Sperm is directly inserted into the uterus during ovulation to improve the chances of fertilization.
• In vitro fertilization (IVF): Eggs are retrieved from the ovaries, fertilized with sperm in a laboratory, and then implanted into the uterus.
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): A single sperm is injected directly into an egg in the laboratory to facilitate fertilization.
• Donor eggs or sperm: In cases of severe male or female infertility, donor eggs or sperm may be used in fertility treatments.

1. Surgery: Surgical procedures may be performed to correct structural abnormalities in the reproductive organs, remove blockages, or treat conditions such as endometriosis or fibroids.
2. Alternative therapies: Some couples may explore alternative or complementary therapies such as acupuncture, herbal supplements, or stress reduction techniques to improve fertility, although evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited.

The appropriate treatment for infertility depends on the underlying cause, the duration of infertility, the age of the individuals involved, and personal preferences. It's important for couples experiencing infertility to seek evaluation and guidance from a fertility specialist or reproductive endocrinologist to explore their options and develop a personalized treatment plan.

Hi all,
I recently had ultrasounds done because I havent had my period in a year. The labs came back saying “normal study” and didnt mention anything about any cysts. However a couple days later my doctor adds a note in my chart that the ultrasounds indicate PCOS.
I am very confused. The labs say “normal study”. I have lower than normal testosterone. My other hormone levels are fine. This is coming out of nowhere for me and Im not sure if I trust what this doctor is saying.

Has anyone else been given a diagnosis of Hormone Imbalance to go along with HRT, etc? I’ve been on T for ~8 months but just started seeing a new (trans 🎉) provider and they put my diagnosis in my chart as hormone imbalance. They said they don’t typically diagnose gender dysphoria on the chart (didn’t get an entirely clear reason for why). I believe it’s something along the lines of wanting to treat patients as their gender regardless of a dysphoria diagnosis and using HRT to align a patient’s hormones with their gender if they don’t match (with the imbalance being that i’m AFAB but transmasc ig).
Obviously this is all formality for insurance, etc. so I’m just wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences with their doctors?
Personally found it kinda affirming to look at it this way, even though I know down the line I’ll still have to go through dysphoria diagnosis process for top surgery and insurance. It feels less antiquated than the dysphoria diagnosis and all the other lovely medical terms for being trans (gender identity disorder, etc.)
First time posting in this sub plz be nice thanks ily

hello! I am very very new to all of this, but recently decided to try out just taking my BBT daily. I am not trying for a pregnancy, just want to know more about my body/potential fertility for the future. I've been tracking for about a month and a half, and honestly am not really sure what I'm looking at/looking for when it comes to the chart! any insight or pointers in the right direction would be much appreciated
extra info that may or may not be helpful:

• my last period was 3/27-4/3, and I frequently have irregular cycles
• just using a cheap basal thermometer + Apple Health app as I try this out
• I wake up/take my temp at the same time every day
• have been off of hormonal BC for 6 months

Thank you!
EDIT: now with chart via fertility friend
https://preview.redd.it/fr95hc2oea0d1.png?width=2343&format=png&auto=webp&s=a6c96b7272ac38fac59d3f04f5f9f25b6e3acf76
https://preview.redd.it/bb3q5flh8a0d1.png?width=1638&format=png&auto=webp&s=57cf4fc40a18933b90b698800ee55660c97dff13

• 33F, 166 cm, 73kg
• ADHD, situational depression in the past, ectopic pregnancy in early March 2024 (methotrexate successful), miscarriage at 6-7 weeks in September 2023.
• vyvanse and bupropion - same doses for more than a decade
• no allergies
• never smoked, maybe 1 alcoholic drink every few months, no drugs
• family - chron’s in my mom, drug-related sarcoidosis in my dad, recurrent vasculitis NYD in my sister (first was like HSP and second was retinal). No family members with any cancers (touch wood).

I have been getting night sweats (have to wipe down or put down a towel) off and on for years. Just started to notice it happens within a few days of my period starting. From what I understand, this can sometimes be a sign of ovarian failure/ early menopause. How worried should I be? Should I try to see a doctor about this? I first started to worry about ovarian insufficiency after my first miscarriage when my ovary volumes were reported as being in the menopausal range (~1.2 mL each). My partner and I were told to avoid pregnancy again until 3 months after methotrexate, so we have been careful (combo of strict condom use and generally not having intercourse much).
Tests - had thyroid, blood counts, blood sugar, iron, kidney, and liver testing because of the miscarriage. MyChart says these were all normal except for my liver markers after I got the methotrexate. I think my ALT was in the 140s a few weeks ago and was still slowly going up. The Ob Gyn said that if it was from the methotrexate it should be back to normal, so she referred me to a GI doctor. I’m in Canada so I’m not sure how long the wait might be to see them.
Other symptoms that probably aren’t related?: - low abdominal discomfort off an on. It’s really mild but doesn’t feel great having anything push on me, like if my partner puts his arm around me when we spoon. - bloating. Sometimes it feels like my bladder is over full (sometimes forget to pee with the ADHD; this is the kind of low abdominal discomfort, too), but when I go pee it doesn’t make that ‘over full’ bloating/ discomfort go away. - vaginal dryness? I have never been able to go without lube. Not since my first time at 18. I never thought much of this because it’s ’always’ been that way for me. - maybe some mild hair loss/ thinning at my temples and crown? My family says this is my imagination, though. No family members with hair loss. - acne is bad before my periods. Definitely getting that hormonal acne. Using tretinoin and winlevi but not sure if it is helping much. - I have gained a lot of weight over the last year. Sometimes feel like my hands/ feet are puffy. Started wearing compression stockings this year. - nosediving exercise tolerance. I can’t go for a walk on flat ground and talk in the phone anymore without getting breathless. The way I talk now is more huff-puff-y than when I used to call my folks while I was out for jogs.
Thanks in advance. I’m spooked about the fertility thing since we started ‘trying’ before I turned 33 and the two conceptions we had ended in sadness for us.

I had triple negative breast cancer 8 years ago when I was 34. At the time I was tested for BRCA 1 and 2 and was told the results were negative. I didn't think much of it because I have almost no family history of cancer. The only breast cancer on either side is my great great Grandma on my mom's side and my grandmother's sister on my dad's side. Fast forward to now I have my second primary breast cancer this time hormone positive. New doctor orders genetic testing again and this time it came back BRCA 2 positive.
Has anyone ever had test yield 2 different results? Has anyone had positive results with no family history?
I'm thinking I need a third test to confirm as the surgery options and the treatment route I go will be very different and I really don't want to do it all if there's a chance something is wrong.
I know 2 breast cancer before age 43 chances are it's accurate this time but I just need to know especially with no family history. Also when I called my previous doctor to get copy of original test, although it's notated in the chart that my results were insignificant the actual test report seems to be missing.

I had triple negative breast cancer 8 years ago when I was 34. At the time I was tested for BRCA 1 and 2 and was told the results were negative. I didn't think much of it because I have almost no family history of cancer. The only breast cancer on either side is my great great Grandma on my mom's side and my grandmother's sister on my dad's side. Fast forward to now I have my second primary breast cancer this time hormone positive. New doctor orders genetic testing again and this time it came back BRCA 2 positive.
Has anyone ever had test yield 2 different results? Has anyone had positive results with no family history?
I'm thinking I need a third test to confirm as the surgery options and the treatment route I go will be very different and I really don't want to do it all if there's a chance something is wrong.
I know 2 breast cancer before age 43 chances are it's accurate this time but I just need to know especially with no family history. Also when I called my previous doctor to get copy of original test, although it's notated in the chart that my results were insignificant the actual test report seems to be missing.

I am NOT OOP, OOP is u/LittleBear1053
Originally posted to AITAH
AITA for not wanting my wife to do surrogacy?
Trigger Warnings: verbal abuse, PPD, domestic abuse, depression, mentions of self-harm, possible controlling behavior, domestic violence
Original Post: April 30, 2024
My (34m) wife Olivia (32f) was asked by her sister Sofia (29f) if she could be her surrogate. Sofia has struggled with infertility for years, and she and her husband have been wanting a kid for a long time. Olivia and I have four sons (10,5,5,3) and don’t plan on having more children. Olivia wants to do this for her sister and already agreed to it before discussing it with me. After Olivia gave birth to our youngest, she suffered from postpartum depression. I’m worried that this might happen again, and not to mention the toll it will take on her body.
I talked with her and told her my concerns, but she got defensive and began yelling at me, telling me that I’m a horrible person for not wanting to help Sofia and her husband after they’ve struggled for so long. I told her that I wanted them to be able to have a kid, but there were other options that didn’t involve her. She shouted some more and stormed out of the house and didn’t come back until the morning.
I messaged Sofia’s husband, Dean, as he and I get along really well. I told him how I felt about the situation, and he completely understood and told me he’d talk to Sofia. He messaged me later that night and told me that he had tried to change Sofia’s mind, but she wouldn’t listen.
When Olivia came home from work that night, she stormed up to me and slapped me. She told me that Sofia said Dean didn’t want to follow through with the surrogacy because of me, and Sofia was really upset about it. Olivia called me selfish and told me to get over it because she’s doing it regardless of how I feel.
I've given up talking to her about it because I don’t want her to get more angry. She’s been sleeping in the guest bedroom, and I’m pretty sure she’s only staying at the house because of the boys. We barely talk, and she doesn’t even look at me.
I got a message from Dean saying they’ve got an appointment later this week to begin the process.
I don’t know what to do anymore. I don’t want to see her go through what she did again. I guess there’s nothing I can do though, she’s already made up her mind.
AITAH has no consensus bot, OOP was NTA
Top Comments
textonic: Dude, I think your marriage has bigger problems that your SILs pregnancy desire...
Bigpare: Help or not, i would be more worried about your wifes behaviour towards you. You expressed conxern, she turned to anger and physically assaulted you. This is not good behaviour towards a loved one. NTA for expressing your concerns
Top-Bit85: The slap alone would push me to a divorce lawyer. Not to mention all the shouting. This is what she'd like when she'd NOT suffering from PPD? A friend of mine did this for someone, the hormones they put her through so she could carry the embryo were brutal. Her moods were off the chart. I'm sure she expects you to cater to her every passing whim.
This doesn't sound like something that should happen without both married partners agreeing.
 
Update: AITA for not wanting my wife to do surrogacy?: May 6, 2024
I’ve been reading the comments on my first post for the last several days, and I’m feeling a mix of emotions from them. There are things I need to address, so I’ll do that now before I get into what’s been happening since that post.
To start off, many people have noticed that I haven’t replied to anyone’s comments and are calling me out for it. To be honest, I didn’t plan on answering any comments. I’ve seen posts where the OP doesn’t reply to anyone, so I didn’t think it was a big deal. The comments were very overwhelming as well.
I’ve seen a lot of comments saying that this is fake, and honestly, I wish it was, but it isn’t. I would never lie about something like this. I'm not the type of guy to do that. And the reason my account is new is because I didn’t want to post anything on my main account.
There have also been messages I’ve received that have been less than kind and haven't helped in the slightest with what’s been happening. The things people have sent me are really hurtful and disgusting.
And I’ve noticed people calling me an asshole for going behind Olivia’s back and talking to Dean. The reason I spoke to Dean was because any time I tried to talk to Olivia, she would ignore me and walk away. Sofia wasn’t even an option. She hasn’t liked me since Olivia and I began dating. I have no idea why, but she’s always been rude to me, and I knew if I talked to her about this, it wouldn’t go well.
And the thing that everyone has been talking about. The abuse. So this wasn’t the first time Olivia has hit me. This started a few months before our oldest was born. It happened out of nowhere. I talked to her about it, and she promised it wouldn’t happen again, but it did. Every time she would hit me, she’d apologize afterwards, but soon, she stopped apologizing. I did try to stand up to her, but whenever I did, she hit me harder and said she’d scream if I did anything. I told her I’d go to the police, and she said she’d claim it was self-defence. She then began to mock me by saying that no one would ever believe me, and they’d all side with her, and I’d never see my boys again. It just got worse as the years passed. I know a lot of people will call me weak and that I need to grow a pair, but I was terrified. I didn’t want to lose my kids. They mean everything to me. And if I had to put up with the abuse to be with them, then I would. Olivia has never touched the boys. I asked her one time if she had, and let’s just say that didn’t end well. I’ve checked them for marks and have seen nothing. And the boys are hardly out of my sight, and I haven’t seen anything amiss. She has also never hit me in front of them. She always does it when they’re not around.
My two older brothers, Sam and Jack, figured out what was happening and begged me to go to the police, but I couldn’t. I asked them not to say anything, but my oldest brother, Sam, has a friend who’s a lawyer, and I found out only recently that they’ve been talking to him about it and have been secretly telling him when they notice I have a new mark or when something happens.
Back to the main problem, though. I hadn’t seen Olivia for almost two days, and when she came back, I asked if we could talk. The boys were with Jack for the day, so they weren’t in the house. She went to walk away again, but I stepped in front of her and said that we needed to talk. This was the first time I’d stood up to her in years, and I was scared as hell. She looked shocked, but then she put the scowl back on and huffed out a fine. I had my phone beside me and recorded the conversation.
We sat on the couch, and I told her again how I felt about the surrogacy. She kept rolling her eyes and scoffing every time I said something. I told her I was worried about how it would affect our family. I brought up the PPD again, and she got angry. She started yelling at me, telling me it was my fault that she had it and that I should never have gotten her pregnant. Every kid except for our oldest (Who wasn’t planned) was her idea. That’s not to say that I didn’t want my boys, I did, but I didn’t have a say about it. She called me a horrible father and husband and said that I should support her. I said that if she goes through with the surrogacy, I won’t be supporting her as it’s not my kid. She got mad, hit me, called me an asshole, hit me again and left the house.
I called Sam, asked if he could come over and waited for him to arrive. When he got to my house, I just broke down. I told him everything about what’s been going on. The abuse, the surrogacy, the self-harm and suicidal thoughts. He hugged me and told me it would be alright and everything would work out. This is when he told me about his lawyer friend and how he and Jack have been talking to him. I told him I recorded the conversation with Olivia, and he said he’d send it to his friend, along with a photo of the bruise from when she hit me before, and a few other marks as well.
I had given up years ago, and my kids were the only thing keeping me going. I’ve suffered from depression and self-harm (Which I still do), and I think if I didn’t have my boys, I wouldn’t be here.
I’m finally standing up for myself, and it feels really good. I’m going to divorce her and go for full custody. I just hope the courts won’t take her side.
And I just want to thank everyone who has been really kind about this, especially the people who messaged me. I haven’t replied to all of them, but just know that I appreciate it so much.
Top Comments
x-bacool-x: Next time try to install hidden cameras or something for video proof but good luck and I hope you win the custody
AngelsOfLust: Finally! Go to the police, get a restraining order and serve her with divorce papers.
Ironmike11B: NTA. You should do 2 things:
1- gather evidence. Hide a camera(s) in the main areas and/or you bedroom. Document EVERYTHING. 2 - Make an exit plan. Get all your important documents together. Create a emergency fund. Find a place to go.
 

DO NOT COMMENT IN LINKED POSTS OR MESSAGE OOPs – BoRU Rule #7

THIS IS A REPOST SUB - I AM NOT OOP

Any other people that are in menopause because they have hormone related cancer?
I have estrogen positive progesteronegative HER negative breast cancer stage 4 de novo that is currently stable thanks to kinase inhibitors.
I'm realizing how little doctors know about hormones. There meds are allowing BC patients a much longer life but stage r doesn't get research.
I'm legitimately concerned about what will happen if I do manage to live another 20+ years (I'm on my red year currently).
I've got thrusted into menopause at age 42 via drugs at first but then opted for radical hysterectomy. I still have monthly shots to reduce all the rest of the estrogen bodies apparently produce even when you get rid of ovaries.
I'm fortunate that I don't really get hot flashes but my ADHD is off the charts and since I'm self diagnosed I don't have meds. I'm forgetting everything. I thought it was bad before it's horrible now.
I'm new to this sub and just seeing who else might be like me.