Crossdresser health concerns or, how does a crossdresser deal with needing medical care. The answer may be obvious depending on if you have insurance or not. Where I am going with this is, do you tell your doctor about your crossdressing? In my case I only did it once after securing her word she would not share anything we discussed. Sure, over the years I had health concerns but because I shaved my body, they had to wait until summer when things grew out. The older I got the more dangerous this approach became because crossdresser health concerns are no different than non-crossdresser concerns. The older you get the more doctors you meet so I needed to have a plan for possible lack of hair questions.
I have wondered over the years just exactly how the HIPPA laws work with crossdressers health concerns. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA) The short answer is you have a level of privacy protection provided by HIPPA. The law covers many areas, and I chose not to read the whole thing, but you can by following this link HIPPA. I took an easier route and asked one of my trusted crossdresser friends who is a doctor.
Below is my question.
If you tell your doctor that you are a crossdresser are they and staff bound to secrecy? I am fine but, in the past, I have delayed physicals and dermatologist exams until my hair grew out. I’m thinking that going forward that is going to be a bad idea cuz I ain’t got that much time left on the calendar of life.
She told me they cannot divulge your medical information including shaved legs since you crossdress. Doctors in general are professional and will not judge. If you are that worried, you can ask them not to put it in your chart.
So, the crossdresser health concern plan now is to shave year-round. Should the question come up, I will answer that it’s not important! If I’m uncomfortable I will ask them not to put it in my chart.
It’s possible that I am paranoid about all this but if it helps just one person it’s worth writing.
I have never had this issue be a problem and I have had a shaved body most of my life since sixth grade. I am now 74 and tired of living to others standard so in August I start estrogen creme. I have been on trauma units surgeries and I am no longer self conscious at the pool or gym. My advice be who you are and don’t waste your time keeping to others standards. Love yourself
Great article on a subject I don’t recall anyone touching on before (at least to my limited knowledge) It reminds me of our mom’s warning about clean underwear if you are in an accident. My own personal experience was when I was an EMT on our volunteer fire department and we responded to a car crash. One of the injured was a young guy who was completely shaved, and I mean ‘completely’! Being a CD’er myself I suspected what was up, but nobody even commented on it. So maybe things have changed after all! (Of course, I suspect there was some snickering later at the nurse’s station!)
I can say from my own direct personal experience, any professional will be completely unfazed. I now specifically dress to go to the doctor. I even recently had a liver ultrasound (dressed) where I joked with the technician, asking if it were a boy or a girl. YYou know this, they have seen everything! Thanks Micki.
Hmmm. Manscaping instead of a hairy body is part of popular culture now. Thirty years ago I was a competitive triathlete and used that as a cover for a hairless body as I am normally quite hairy.
Angel Amore
After my Wife died, and I decided to dress full time as a Woman, I just told all my Physicians. No repercussions, at least of which I am aware, so I am unqualified to comment on Doctor/Patient confidentiality. But, as Ms Robbins stated, “they have seen everything”
I told my PCP right as she was about to start a complete physical exam, her answer was simple, “are you taking any hormones or supplements you haven’t told me about, or are you planning to? If so, I don’t want you to, We can look at prescribing them so you get safe meds in you, if you wish to go that route. Other than that, it has no bearing on me. I have treated cross dressers and other’s who were transitioning. I am bound by HIPPA, as is my entire staff, plus I just want my patients to feel safe and comfortable when they see me. Your wellbeing, whether physical, mental or emotional is the important thing, not what your wearing. Cute panties by the way…” my other docs (man, you see a lot more when you get older) know too, and they don’t seem to care what I wear, either.
I have never had this issue be a problem and I have had a shaved body most of my life since sixth grade. I am now 74 and tired of living to others standard so in August I start estrogen creme. I have been on trauma units surgeries and I am no longer self conscious at the pool or gym. My advice be who you are and don’t waste your time keeping to others standards. Love yourself
Thanks, Joeseph I’m a couple of years behind you and found out most people don’t pay much attention to seniors anyway.
It has definitely crossed my mind. Not only the shaving thing but having to make sure all the polish is off my toenails.
Thank you. I’ve appreciated your column very much! Wish I looked as good as you en fem!
Great article on a subject I don’t recall anyone touching on before (at least to my limited knowledge) It reminds me of our mom’s warning about clean underwear if you are in an accident. My own personal experience was when I was an EMT on our volunteer fire department and we responded to a car crash. One of the injured was a young guy who was completely shaved, and I mean ‘completely’! Being a CD’er myself I suspected what was up, but nobody even commented on it. So maybe things have changed after all! (Of course, I suspect there was some snickering later at the nurse’s station!)
I can say from my own direct personal experience, any professional will be completely unfazed. I now specifically dress to go to the doctor. I even recently had a liver ultrasound (dressed) where I joked with the technician, asking if it were a boy or a girl. YYou know this, they have seen everything! Thanks Micki.
Hmmm. Manscaping instead of a hairy body is part of popular culture now. Thirty years ago I was a competitive triathlete and used that as a cover for a hairless body as I am normally quite hairy.
Angel Amore
Thanks Angel, I couldn’t use that cover at least not lately!
After my Wife died, and I decided to dress full time as a Woman, I just told all my Physicians. No repercussions, at least of which I am aware, so I am unqualified to comment on Doctor/Patient confidentiality. But, as Ms Robbins stated, “they have seen everything”
I told my PCP right as she was about to start a complete physical exam, her answer was simple, “are you taking any hormones or supplements you haven’t told me about, or are you planning to? If so, I don’t want you to, We can look at prescribing them so you get safe meds in you, if you wish to go that route. Other than that, it has no bearing on me. I have treated cross dressers and other’s who were transitioning. I am bound by HIPPA, as is my entire staff, plus I just want my patients to feel safe and comfortable when they see me. Your wellbeing, whether physical, mental or emotional is the important thing, not what your wearing. Cute panties by the way…” my other docs (man, you see a lot more when you get older) know too, and they don’t seem to care what I wear, either.
I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!