📌 𝐏𝐒𝐀: 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐅𝐀𝐁 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐬—𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐲𝐧𝐚𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭. Let’s be real—no one enjoys going to the gynaecologist. It’s awkward, uncomfortable, and if you’re transgender like me, the added layer of 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐲𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚 can make it feel even worse…
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𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:
🔘𝐀𝐅𝐀𝐁 (Assigned Female at Birth) refers to anyone born with a uterus, ovaries, or other anatomy typically labelled female at birth. Even if you identify as transgender or non-binary, routine care like this is still necessary.
🔘𝐃𝐲𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚 is the deep discomfort or distress many transgender people experience when their body doesn’t align with their gender identity. This discomfort can make appointments like these feel daunting, but they’re vital.
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🩺 Today, on the two-year anniversary of my surgery, I’m sharing this to encourage you not to delay your health screenings. Whether you’re trans, non-binary or cis, your health matters.
In my case, I avoided the gynae for way too long, which led to a massive fibroid that could have been caught sooner with routine care. Instead of a less invasive laparoscopic procedure, I needed an open abdominal surgery. It was a tough lesson.
But here’s the unexpected part: even though the surgery was extensive, it helped confirm something I had been grappling with at the time—whether I was ready to take the next steps in my transition.
The sense of freedom I felt after the surgery—removing a part of my body that didn’t align with my identity—provided much needed deep clarity. A hysterectomy was never part of my transition goals, but it was as if my whole body breathed a sigh of relief.
Many transgender people battle to find trans-informed healthcare providers. Not all doctors are trained or comfortable to work with trans patients. I was fortunate to have incredibly supportive and affirming healthcare professionals—even though I was still early in my transition—they made me feel safe, respected, and seen.
Self-care means showing up for yourself, make that appointment. 💙
#LivingMyTruth30 | Day: 25/30 🏳️⚧️
