What happens to penile sensitivity after a while on HRT?

[Guest Protoman2050]

What happens to penile sensitivity after a while on HRT? Does it basically become clitoral-level? Because, since I don't tuck, I don't want to um...make a very pleasant-feeling and wet mess in my pants just from walking around...that would make me somewhat uncomfortable.

[Guest Robin Winter]

I can almost promise you won't have that problem. Sensitivity lessens, for sure. I can't speak to "clitoral levels", since I don't have experience as a cis-woman, but I've had no problems with unwanted arousal whatsoever. Everyone's experiences are different of course, but that has been mine.

[VickySGV]

The nerve sensitivity will remain, but the blood flow is shut off, so no hydraulic expansion. If you wear proper fitting garments, tucking is never really a problem anyway.

[Guest Protoman2050]

Then what was my cisguy friend (who had more MTF friends than even me) talking about? BTW, I know I eventually won't get erections (oh well), but if the glans is used to make the clit, and clits are more sensitive, shouldn't the sensitivity of the glans increase?

[Drea]

but if the glans is used to make the clit, and clits are more sensitive, shouldn't the sensitivity of the glans increase?

More sensitive by what measure? More nerve endings don't necessarily equate to more sensitive.

Just because something is used to make it, doesn't mean it is anatomically identical. Hormones won't make more nerves grow increasing the nerve density. Surgery discards most of the glans and doesn't necessarily increase the nerve density.

No expert here, but I think most of the nerves are in the skin and the glans is just the erectile tissue. I have heard of some surgeons using micro surgery techniquest to transplant nerves, and the docs try to preserve the nerves in the skin when they re-arrange it.. Still surgery (which I know this question isn't about) is probably more likely to cause loss of sensation than to increase it.

Certainly those who have had surgery are sensate and some report hyper sensitivity. On the hand the hyper sensitivity doesn't always equate to hyper pleasure sensitivity and orgasms from simple walking though it wouldn't surprise me if such has happened.

[Guest KarenLyn]

If you're looking for examples of long term hrt, I've been on it for 15 years and haven't noticed any change in sensitivity. I think your friend may have been misinformed.

[Guest]

Good Morning, Lexi,

I was already "over the hill" before starting HRT - meaning sensitivity and sex drive had fallen off dramatically. But, after a year and a half, not much has changed, with two exceptions: I no longer have unwanted erections, and semen volume is nearly zero.

For me, this was just what the doctor ordered. Had I been sexually driven, or sexually active prior to starting HRT, I doubt it would have had much effect. But, it was a welcome relief and I've allowed sexual atrophy to happen.

Later this year, I'll be interested in reawakening the girl, to see what she's capable of as a postop. I do hope that's an entirely different world!

Love, Megan

[Guest Protoman2050]

If you're looking for examples of long term hrt, I've been on it for 15 years and haven't noticed any change in sensitivity. I think your friend may have been misinformed.

He said it'll respond differently, like a clitoris (thanks Joe, I have no way of referencing the statement to anything concrete my mind can analogize to)...what do you think could he have meant?

[Drea]

He said it'll respond differently, like a clitoris (thanks Joe, I have no way of referencing the statement to anything concrete my mind can analogize to)...what do you think could he have meant?

There is no shortage of people who wish to make claims that things change to exactly like with a female. My guess is that there can not be much substance behind the claim. Besides how can such a claim be made in the first place? Who has the real experience to compare A with B other than someone surgically altered and then it is between A and surgerically altered A.

The one thing that may have substances is that orgasms will tend towards non-elaculatory or very little leaving less sense of completness which will more easily allow working up to another orgasm (e.g. multiple orgasms).

[Guest Kylie2112]

All I can say is that after a year on HRT, it feels a lot better...for whatever that may be worth

[Guest JennX]

The nerve sensitivity will remain, but the blood flow is shut off, so no hydraulic expansion. If you wear proper fitting garments, tucking is never really a problem anyway.

Not entirely true. Blow flow continues to the penis. Whether or not an erection occurs varies greatly on the individual's physiology, psychology, mental state and many other variables. I've been on HRT (max dosages of both Estradiol and Sprio) for 3 years and still get spontaneous erections, and I still can get and maintain an erection without much effort (not that it's something I need LOL!). It might take a minute or two longer to get there, than before HRT, but it still happens. My libido and sensitivity have remained nearly the same as well. In talking with other MTFs this whole area of discussion varies widely depending on the person and the variables I mentioned before. A wait and see response, is the only absolute answer here. There is no "one size fits all answer" as to how you will fair.

[Guest Jo-88]

I am at a bit over 1 year HRT... sensitivity is just as good as it always was. However the ability to get and *maintain* an erection is significantly hampered... although even on long term HRT therapy I don't think it will be impossible to get an erection. Your brain plays just as much as a role in sexual attraction/arousal as your hormones (if not more)... and if your brain wants it, then you can make it happen. Now I have heard of sensitivity increasing (and decreasing for that matter) after SRS but in that instance you are talking about major physiological changes and that is to be expected. As far as "making a wet mess"... not gonna happen; after extended HRT therapy you will have to *try* to get an erection and... well the resulting aftermath of that will take more effort too (and be far less severe and messy). Its not like pre-hrt where down below has a mind of its own.

In other words, don't worry... you can think of the added difficulty as more of an increased level of self control, always look on the bright side right?

[Guest Protoman2050]

I am at a bit over 1 year HRT... sensitivity is just as good as it always was. However the ability to get and *maintain* an erection is significantly hampered... although even on long term HRT therapy I don't think it will be impossible to get an erection. Your brain plays just as much as a role in sexual attraction/arousal as your hormones (if not more)... and if your brain wants it, then you can make it happen. Now I have heard of sensitivity increasing (and decreasing for that matter) after SRS but in that instance you are talking about major physiological changes and that is to be expected. As far as "making a wet mess"... not gonna happen; after extended HRT therapy you will have to *try* to get an erection and... well the resulting aftermath of that will take more effort too (and be far less severe and messy). Its not like pre-hrt where down below has a mind of its own.

In other words, don't worry... you can think of the added difficulty as more of an increased level of self control, always look on the bright side right?

Thanks! But since my friend said my penis might get chafed from walking untucked, I asked "maybe I should put some sort of solid or liquid lubricant in my panties to prevent that." Then he laughed, and said "walking around would get very interesting".

[Guest LizMarie]

Oh, different thing entirely. Your penis and associated tissues may become softer and the skin more sensitive. I've noticed some of that after 3 months on HRT but not so much that there is any chaffing occurring.

[Guest paulam]

After 5 months on HRT morning and spontatneous erections have dissapeared and the amount of ejaculatory fluid produced has lessened.Sensitivity though is exactly the same and I can achieve and maintain an erection but it just takes a little longer and I have to want it.

[Guest BethB]

I have been on hrt for about 10 months. I still have good sensitivity, but I haven't had an erection for a while. In the beginning my fluid became clear, and it was more difficult to get an erection and maintain one. I am not positive I can get an erection now, but probably can. Stimulation feels good but I haven't had an orgasm for a while now. The last few times I was construct and close to orgasm, it got very painful so I stopped. It seems that as I approached a full erection my skin, especially around the head of the penis, really stings. but I still have sexual feelings, and stimulation feels good, with or without an erection.

[Guest]

Oh, I hate to give TMI, but you asked. Hmm... PG-13? Mine works fine after eighteen months. Everyday is no longer required, but several times through the week. Forget autoerections though, glad they are gone. They were a nusance anyway. I am much slower to warm up now and I need a connection, so quickies, no thanks. Conversation and candles, yeh baby!

From my experiance YMMV it now works like a clit and woody depending on my frame of mind and varing sitmulations. Female Os take longer to get but are way more worth it. I think I have come to the limit on this explanation. Except to say, I still have a lovely sex drive. JodyAnn

PS--- After HRT I still haven't given in to a partner, so the other person is still an fantasy. The rest of the information isn't. Shut up now Jody!

[Guest paddy]

I had an "Orchidectomy" then went on to HRT,(about 17 months ago) with no problems, those other horrible male thoughts/problems are well and truly

now in the history books.

[Guest Zabyys]

I seem to have a different story then most. For the first 3-5 months on HRT I would still get unwanted erections and at times make a mess. I didn't tuck and didn't really try to hide anything. Granted the mess was less and not as noticable. I have however only been "active" since starting transition and as for sensitivity, I would say it hasn't changed much, but the softer skin has changed the way it feels.

[Guest LizMarie]

The following is all layperson's speculation, coupled with some reading I've done on the subject, so take it with a grain of salt.

Much of the loss of penile sensitivity in males in Western cultures is strictly due to circumcision since it was so widespread though this practice is declining. This leaves the glans exposed and constant exposure reduces sensitivity over time. In fact, there are some surgeons who may attempt a foreskin reconstruction if the patient really really wants it.

Consequently, although the glans changes under HRT, I seriously doubt that does anything in terms of sensitivity.

Now, post-op GCS, there would seem to be potential for increased sensitivity, since the clitoris would now be hooded, protected, and generally moister than as the glans, thus reducing the constant rubbing against cloth that circumcised males experience and allowing for a less tough surface to emerge. Doctors do know that the vaginal wall in post-op MTFs appears to acquire most of the characteristics of the vaginal wall of biological females as well, given enough time so similar changes in the clitoris would not seem unreasonable.

If you are not circumcised, your sensitivity may not change that much post-op either.

As for changes after a short period of HRT without GCS? It seems rather unlikely to me.

[Guest Megan_Lynn]

Lets see 5 years HRT for me these are my results on this subject. No longer are their any random erections ever.. Still have some morning ones if wait to long to go pee. Have lost some size and a good bit of sensitivity. Have had some minor chafing issues due to it wanting to literally crawl up inside me and only show its head. For me its best to try to tuck as it avoids the chaffing. Will have to readjust a few times a day to stop it from the turtle effect. Can still get and keep and erection if desired but takes longer to get and maintain. almost no mess whatsoever these days. Sex drive at about 1/4 of what it was pre HRT but do have my moments of it. As others have stated alot of it is still mental. When one decides to stop using it all together then yes it can very well stop working as designed. If one still tries to use it I do believe it will most likely continue to work for them but have slight differences as noted by others.

[Guest Gwendolyn Elizabeth]

Figure I should throw my cloche into the ring on this one. I have been on hrt more than 2 years.

1: no more spontaneous erections.

2: it does expand when arroused but I no longer have the pressure.

3: I can orgasm, but nothing comes out. This often require some "help".

4: even before hrt tucking and wearing panties caused no discomfort.

5: it did get smaller.

[Guest Michelle57]

Since I have been on HRT I haven't had any change in sensitivity, still the same as before with the exception that now when my partner and I are intimate that I will ejaculate while still soft , never achieving an erection. I'm just guessing that he may be suggesting some thing of that nature.