Orchidectomy

[Guest Impossible Princess]

Hello There Beautiful People.

Due to almost certain non surgery (SRS) I am seeking people to speak to in regards to having an orchidectomy. I am trying to find out more personal information rather than medical information as to how people have found the results from this type of surgery........ie:

1. Have you been able to lower hormone dosages after an Orchidectomy?

2. Erections: Do they still occur?

3. Changes that may occur?

4. What CAN someone realistically expect from an Orchi?

5. What NOT to expect from an Orchi?

6. How has an Orchi changed your life?

any help that is able to be given will be greatly appreciated.

Warmest regards

Sammi-Lee

[Sally]

Well, I can only defininately answer one of your questions.

1. Have you been able to lower hormone dosages after an Orchidectomy?

Yes, exactly like with SRS because that part of the procedure is indetical.

That's as far as I know.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Somewhat graphic here, but keeping in the guidelines.

This is not the reply you asked for, exactly - I was offered orchidectomy by my prescribing physician four months ago and I researched it. My two post op friends said it was not worth the cost as SRS takes care of the problem anyway (neither had an orchidectomy) but the most important thing is unless you have a type that uses a side removal, many SRS surgeons can't perfom a proper reconstruction. The side incision method is more expensive. I also talked it over with my therapist and she said she had a few clients who did it, but they were NOT contemplating ever having SRS. She was negative about it and I felt she would not like me to have it done ( I am definately an SRS candidate).

So as to results? I have spoken to a few in CHAT who were somewhat upset - mainly because they weren't transitioning, had the orchidectomy, and felt like they were NEITHER male or female, just castrated. I am on HRT and I am actually chemically castrated, and I am fine. No erections - no real ejeculations - only a clear fluid. And masterbation does NOT lead to a satisfactory results, only soreness. So that's what I wanted anyway. And my private parts are very shrunken and that's fine too. Your body puts out testosterone from other sites than your testies, so I believe you still use some HRT after orchidectomy - and you will want to for secondary characteristics anyway.

Hope this helps

Lizzy

[Guest Little Sara]

1. Have you been able to lower hormone dosages after an Orchidectomy?

2. Erections: Do they still occur?

3. Changes that may occur?

4. What CAN someone realistically expect from an Orchi?

5. What NOT to expect from an Orchi?

6. How has an Orchi changed your life?

1. There would be no need for an anti-androgen. Depending on your labs (very important point), if your estrogen levels spike higher, you might want to reduce the dosage a bit - if this is not the case, the dosage should stay the same.

2. Chemical castration can occur out of hormones only and anti-androgens - androcur itself has long chemically castrated me. No erections occur.

3. The teste sack will probably shrink more following this. I don't know what else may happen.

4. To have no more primary source of testosterone in their body. Easier to tuck as well. Infertility if you weren't before.

5. I'm not sure how to answer that one.

6. I haven't had one.

[Guest Impossible Princess]

Hi there Sally, Elizabeth and Sara.

First an foremost I would just like to apologise for having taken so long at getting back to you all, most of the last week has been spent in bed due to on going medical problems and sickness, so I hope that you can all forgive me.

If I may I would just like to take a few minutes here to reply to each of you.......

Sally

Thank you for taking the time to make the initial reply, even answering only one question you have given me information to take in an ruminate over whilst I collect more info. Tid-bits, thoughts, ideas, advice, all get heard by me while I take into thought what my next steps are going to be.

Sara

Your a woman after my own heart, I really appreciate the way you have set out your reply, point by point (trust me you dont want to know where I get it from) but it makes things a bit easier to take in without all the mishmash that can at times camoflauge the facts. I must be honest though an say that given what you have said, my thoughts are tending more and more pro orchidectomy than they were before. Please dont think in any way that you have swayed my thoughts here, these thoughts are indeed coming from a perspective of better health in mind. If I may be allowed......

1. There would be no need for an anti-androgen. Depending on your labs (very important point), if your estrogen levels spike higher, you might want to reduce the dosage a bit - if this is not the case, the dosage should stay the same.

My reply to this is that due to past liver failure on two occasions any lowing of dosage let alone maybe not having to take one of my numerous medications is always a good thing for my liver, the strain that these anti-androgenss put on my liver especially at the high dosages that my specialists have me on can and at times has indeed put my life at risk

2. Chemical castration can occur out of hormones only and anti-androgens - androcur itself has long chemically castrated me. No erections occur.

After 7 years on hormone treatment I guess that castration isn't really the issue with me. As mentioned, years of high dosages of both androcur & spironolactone (aka Spriractin) castrated me many years ago, I think for myself here is the continuing issue of spontanious unwanted erections which at times are still occuring.

3. The teste sack will probably shrink more following this. I don't know what else may happen.

Unfortunately, my chances of recieving approval for SRS let alone having the finances for such surgery leaves shrinking of the testes a mute point really. While the government doesnt support SRS in any way shape or form, an orchidectomy IS available in this country under medicare (Medicare is available to every aust citizen) One benefit would be (agreed) making tucking an easier and more comfortable option.

4. To have no more primary source of testosterone in their body. Easier to tuck as well. Infertility if you weren't before.

To not be ale to have full SRS and still be able to be rid of that "Primary Source Of Testosterone" would in my books be a god send (as they say) To be rid of that poison as well as the poison it forces me to put into my body (anti-androgens) would improve my quality of life no end.

Tucking: Hmmm we all know what a pain in the posteria tucking can be, uncomfortable, damaging, uncomfortable, embarrassing, uncomfortable and dont forget uncomfortable, so why not make it a little easier by taking out the problem. Not often heard abbout is the problems that tucking the testes insides oneself can also cause, two of the worst include swollen testes and testes which get stuck inside, both of which I have and do experience on odd occassions.

Infertility: As covered above

I hope that this helps to show the situation I face and why my thoughts might be going in this direction.

Elizabeth

Please forgive me, I honestly didnt for a moment think I was going to take this long to reply to you all, at the moment my body aches and cries for a break, so if I may, I might post this, get up for a short break and reply to your post seperately.

Thank you all for not only your information but also for listening.

Hugs

Sammi-Lee

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Honey - take your time. As a side note - after writing you I realized I hadn't tried to tuck in a while and I am coming up on 4 months HRT tomorrow - so what has been going on down there? It's not my favorite place to work with but I took a look - I was surprised to see the penis now is shrunken to the point it looks like I have a foreskin. At one time tucking was stretching and taping - now I can just push in. Wow - same with the testies. I guess HRT is working.

Also - the absorption of pills under the tongue is supposedly better at keeping your liver healthier. The T-blockers are not really made to do that (bitter) but the estrogen pills are really sweet and easily placed under the tongue. And of course there are cream and patches.

Always something! I was sad to hear you have been ill. I hope you are recovering!

Lizzy

[Sally]

Dear Sammi-Lee,

I had no idea about your liver problems - I would think that it would be a good idea for you to get off of the more damaging anti-androgens.

The possibilities of shrinkage or damage by the 'wrong' method can be countered by skin grafts during the SRS - there are a few Doctors, two in Thailand that specialize in skin grafts to make up for a lack of material - one here in the US that I know of, but I haven't really researched Australia.

YOu need to consider your health first.

Of course we took the time to respond, one of our sisters wass in need of help.

Love ya,

Sally

[Paula ult]

Sammi-lee i have a friend who had an orkie in Janurary:

1. Have you been able to lower hormone dosages after an Orchidectomy?

She decreased the amount of EV that she injects by half.

2. Erections: Do they still occur?

She still gets erections when she want's too

3. Changes that may occur?

She noticed an increase in breast growth and body hair reduction

4. What CAN someone realistically expect from an Orchi?

Allot of those that get orkie's never go on to get GRS

5. What NOT to expect from an Orchi?

Can't answer that one

6. How has an Orchi changed your life?

I have not had one yet but am thinking about it

Paula.

[Guest Little Sara]

Honey - take your time. As a side note - after writing you I realized I hadn't tried to tuck in a while and I am coming up on 4 months HRT tomorrow - so what has been going on down there? It's not my favorite place to work with but I took a look - I was surprised to see the penis now is shrunken to the point it looks like I have a foreskin. At one time tucking was stretching and taping - now I can just push in. Wow - same with the testies. I guess HRT is working.

Also - the absorption of pills under the tongue is supposedly better at keeping your liver healthier. The T-blockers are not really made to do that (bitter) but the estrogen pills are really sweet and easily placed under the tongue. And of course there are cream and patches.

Always something! I was sad to hear you have been ill. I hope you are recovering!

Lizzy

I've not been circumcised (and am glad for that) and I've noticed I have "too much skin" as well, whenever I take a bath or anything where I can (and have to, if only to wash it) see it.

Circumcision rates in Canada are about 10% and declining. They've never been as high as the US who went to near 100% in the 50-60s. Now its about 60% I think, and declining. Funny how a MGM is accepted as routine practice though. While FGM is decried as the most evil thing on earth.

[Sally]

I don't know exactly what to think about this for myself.

I am not too wild about the idea of taking the anti-androgens and the effects that it can have on my body.

I am not overly endowed in that area already and I have been circumcised so any additional shrinkage might make a need for a skin graft!

I have no problem with the idea of being castrated, it actually is rather appealing to me as opposed to the drugs but, it is an additional expense if I do finally make it to the SRS.

But knowing how long I will be on hormones prior to the surgery I might end up doing it.

You do realize that one sure way of knowing that you are really a transsexual MTF is when you can talk openly about having yourself castrated and not think that it is strange at all - actually a very good thing!

Orchidectomy is the medical term and about as close to saying castration as a cisgendered male can come to saying it.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Impossible Princess]

Hi there again girls,

I really do wish once again to thank you all for your wonderful replies. Although I still have some information to gather for my own peace of mind, your repllies to date have all given me food for thought. And believe me I really do have much to think about.

Elizabeth, you asked me if I was recovering? Unfortunately not as yet, Im still stuck in bed sick as a dog, but that isn't surprising when you are on permanent immuno-suppressants. The relationship between you and your bed becomes much more prolifant.

Elizabeth, you also mentioned patches, gels/creams or desolving the pills under my tongue. Patches in the sub tropic area that I live isnt really a viable option, due to constant excessive heat the patches have a hard time adhearing to the skin because of the sweat that your body produces to keep you cool. I also tried creams but unfortunately wasn't receiving a high enough dosage entering my skin and my blood work once again began to indicate this. As for disolving my pills under my tongue, I havent had anyone suggest this to me in 7 years. I do like the idea and have vowed to try it over the next few days. Thank you.

Elizabeth you also mention shrinkage....I guess I am a little intrigued about this as for me after 7 years there has been virtually no shrinkage in either the penis or the testes, Of course I have heard about it happening (I'm not that niave) but never had the chance to actually speak about it. It is my understanding that if shrinkage was indeed to happen over time, it becomes necessary for people who are going on to GRS on the odd occassion to make themselves have an male function so that there is less nescessity to have either skin grafts or vaginal extention, am I correct?

Paula, Thank you for your helpful replies to the questions I posed. And I must say that I am somewhat interested in the fact that your friend is able to still have erections if she wants to?

I must say Paula that the idea of more breast growth and less hirsutism would also be of help in my personal situation (Chalks up another point). Although breast growth hasn't really been a problem (I have a small c cup) I think it would be nice to maybe have a fuller cup.....hirsutism on the other hand has been a nightmare for me over the years and after thousands of dollars in hair removal anything that could assist in the continuing problem, I think, would be such a relief.

Well I shall leave you all with what Ive written for today and I shall look forward to coming back in to read your replies.

Hugs

Sammi-Lee

[Guest Little Sara]

It is my understanding that if shrinkage was indeed to happen over time, it becomes necessary for people who are going on to GRS on the odd occassion to make themselves have an male function so that there is less nescessity to have either skin grafts or vaginal extention, am I correct?

Maybe, maybe not, in any case I don't touch it except to wash it. Which means, not very often at all. self gratification is really really not high on my list of priorities. If someone is to touch it, it'll be a partner of mine, not myself. That way I don't mind it somehow (yes it's mostly psychological). I also haven't ever had a partner, so this is an hypothetical. I had someone touch it before, but it was outside a relationship, it was a one time thing...which wasn't fulfilling for that reason (being a one-time thing).

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Little Sara says what I would say - I am much older than she, but like her, I never did like to fool with my goodies - so to speak. After starting HRT I experimented - no real male function, I could still reach an orgasm, but it was only clear fluid from the prostate gland - so I read. But I had ED before this HRT because of diabetes - and my wife and I use other means of gratification any way - so I may not be giving you a typical picture.

Yes - definate shrinkage for me in a rather short time. BUT I want to use Dr. Bowers and she has other ways to form a canal that's more functional. In two years, who knows what will be available, anyway.

I am SO UPSET to hear your health is so tenuous! I hope it gets somewhat controlled. My therapist says my SRS depends a great deal on my Drs evaluation of my diabetic condition - fortunately its the less severe adult onset type II. It still worries me I couldn't finish transition.

Patches - yes, my Dr said they tend to work their way off - especially as I live in the deep south and we prespire like a fountain three month of the year.

And the pills? As I am over age 60 I suspected complications - none have occured so I suppose I have a good liver functin. I also take pretty strong pills for diabetes and cholesterol. Go figure! The under tongue trick is an old transgender trick, because it was originally thought it made the estrogen dosage more potent (it doesn't) but it DOES put the dosage mainly in the bloodstream - and quickly. Same as the nitro pills people use for heart problem emergencies. [As a trick to remember, if you feel a heart attach coming, after calling 911, put a baby asprin under the tongue to open the capilaries and vessels.]

Hope this helps

Lizzy