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Tired Of Patients Not Wanting To Reveal Their Biological Sex This Person Went On A Rant To Explain Why It Can End Tragically
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Tired Of Patients Not Wanting To Reveal Their Biological Sex This Person Went On A Rant To Explain Why It Can End Tragically

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Your life is more important than your feelings getting hurt — that’s the message one healthcare professional is trying to send everyone. According to Imgur user oldfishnewfish, it’s very important to tell the medical staff your biological sex even if the question ‘triggers’ you. Your life depends on giving the right answer.

Oldfishnewfish posted a long and winding rant online that explains exactly how much correct treatment and diagnosis can depend on whether you’re a man or a woman due to simple human biology differences. The detailed scientific explanation went viral. It was viewed over 120,000 times and got more than 4,200 upvotes. (Facebook cover image: sturti)

Image credits: vgajic (not the actual photo)

“If a medical professional asks your sex/gender (however you perceive it being asked is irrelevant) TELL THEM”

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The inspiration for oldfishnewfish’s rant struck after they had an aggressive patient who was ‘triggered’ by questions about their biological gender. These questions were necessary to do thorough health issues check-up, and were not intended to make anyone feel threatened or unwanted.

According to the healthcare professional, knowing whether a person is born male or female is necessary. People who get overly defensive or openly aggressive are hurting not only themselves but also those trying to help them.

Most Imgur users supported oldfishnewfish’s viewpoint. Among those commenting were transgender people who highlighted that they, too, believe it’s important to tell doctors your biological sex immediately.

However, revealing their biological sex is very difficult for some people. Especially when the gender they identify with doesn’t match the sex, they were born as. According to Head to Health, “many transgender people hide their gender expression in public for fear of negative reactions, violence or discrimination.” Head to Health also notes that “transgender people experience high rates of physical and non-physical abuse,” which helps explain why far from everyone is happy when faced with questions about their sex.

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Oldfishnewfish stated that it’s important to respect patients if their gender doesn’t match their sex: “I need to know if you’re a male or female. I need to know if you’re susceptible to certain diseases or ailments, how your symptoms may be derived from those diseases or ailments, and most importantly, how to treat those diseases or ailments,” oldfishnewfish explained.

Internet users had this to say about oldfishnewfish’s rant

The Journal of the American Medical Association writes that the term ‘sex’ is considered biological and physiological, while ‘gender’ “comprises the social, environmental, cultural, and behavioral factors and choices that influence a person’s self-identity and health.”

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Meanwhile, the National Center for Biotechnology Information notes that “men and women are alike in many ways. However, there are important biological and behavioural differences between the two genders. They affect manifestation, epidemiology and pathophysiology of many widespread diseases and the approach to health care.”

Psychology Today argues that “denying men’s and women’s different psychologies is not merely a denial of reality; it has serious health consequences for significant segments of the population.” Here are a few differences between men and women, according to Psychology Today: women are more empathic; men feel sexual jealousy more acutely; men are more aggressive and more adventurous; men are taller; women are better at remembering objects on a map, while men are better at rotating objects in their minds.

Whatever your views on this topic are, just remember the Golden Rule: treat others as you would want to be treated. And keep in mind that medical professionals especially deserve to be treated with respect. They’re trying to save your life, after all.

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Jonas Grinevičius

Jonas Grinevičius

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Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

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Jonas Grinevičius

Jonas Grinevičius

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

Ilona Baliūnaitė

Ilona Baliūnaitė

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I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

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Ilona Baliūnaitė

Ilona Baliūnaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

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thandeit avatar
Random Panda
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good luck with using the biological vs. social argument...a large chunk of these people actually believe bio sex is socially constructed, while gender is innate. These views are so wrapped it's hard to make a rational argument when your opponent is basically denying reality.

mailanjensjoy avatar
Jensi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have yet to meet a trans/non-binary person who thinks the way you described. Sure there may be a few, but surely they don't represent all of who you call "these people"

Load More Replies...
amberly_middlemiss avatar
Amberly Middlemiss
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One example of this problem is planned parenthood. A transwoman can walk in who is biologically male, and if they show up positive on a pregnancy test no one tells them they can't be. this is important because for a male if they do a pregnancy test and it shows up positive it is a sign of testicular cancer. Steven Crowder actually tested this and filmed the whole thing if you dont believe me look it up on youtube. they even allowed him to plan an abortion, when it was very cery clear he was biologically male. what is happening to this world

annausv avatar
Annanana
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The scary part is not only the testicular cancer, but the fact that this biological man thinking he might be pregnant is a psychiatric symptom as well. Would they likewise respect a man who would claim he is Napoleon and thus must be treated with utmost respect?

Load More Replies...
johngreene_1 avatar
John Greene
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When it comes to your health, and any associated treatments, I must agree with the spirit of the article/rant and a great many likeminded commentators. Giving inaccurate information (of ANY kind) is dangerous, and only results in delays and the danger of misdiagnosis.

oliviag avatar
QueenOlive
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly, and giving the wrong information can result in improper treatment, (which can be dangerous) and can lead to medical malpractice.

Load More Replies...
Load More Comments
thandeit avatar
Random Panda
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good luck with using the biological vs. social argument...a large chunk of these people actually believe bio sex is socially constructed, while gender is innate. These views are so wrapped it's hard to make a rational argument when your opponent is basically denying reality.

mailanjensjoy avatar
Jensi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have yet to meet a trans/non-binary person who thinks the way you described. Sure there may be a few, but surely they don't represent all of who you call "these people"

Load More Replies...
amberly_middlemiss avatar
Amberly Middlemiss
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One example of this problem is planned parenthood. A transwoman can walk in who is biologically male, and if they show up positive on a pregnancy test no one tells them they can't be. this is important because for a male if they do a pregnancy test and it shows up positive it is a sign of testicular cancer. Steven Crowder actually tested this and filmed the whole thing if you dont believe me look it up on youtube. they even allowed him to plan an abortion, when it was very cery clear he was biologically male. what is happening to this world

annausv avatar
Annanana
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The scary part is not only the testicular cancer, but the fact that this biological man thinking he might be pregnant is a psychiatric symptom as well. Would they likewise respect a man who would claim he is Napoleon and thus must be treated with utmost respect?

Load More Replies...
johngreene_1 avatar
John Greene
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When it comes to your health, and any associated treatments, I must agree with the spirit of the article/rant and a great many likeminded commentators. Giving inaccurate information (of ANY kind) is dangerous, and only results in delays and the danger of misdiagnosis.

oliviag avatar
QueenOlive
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly, and giving the wrong information can result in improper treatment, (which can be dangerous) and can lead to medical malpractice.

Load More Replies...
Load More Comments
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