A victory was had at Transgender clinic the other day. One of our male to female transgender patients was diagnosed with a hydrocele--a benign but painful fluid accumulation in the scrotum that is often removed surgically. One of our providers seized this opportunity to recommend that the surgeon actually perform a bilateral orchiectomy at the patients request. A bilateral orchiectomy is the surgical removal of both testicles, which for transgender male to female patients is an elective surgery not covered by their insurance.
Fortunately, the surgeon realized the strong desire of the patient to have this surgery done, and sure enough performed a bilateral orchiectomy to "ensure that the hydrocele did not reoccur"
This certainly was a victory in a system that makes it difficult for transgendered individuals to even get hormone therapy covered by their insurers.
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