Pain in testicles and penis without receiving hrt.

[Lemmy]

Hello,

 

I am 37 years old and have been dealing with the fact that I am transgender since I was a teenager. When I was 18 years old I woke up one day and started feeling what I would describe as a numbness or strange feeling in my genitals. Over the months and years it progressed and has gotten worse and worse. I am in a constant state of INTENSE dull pain in my testicles and to a lesser extent my penis. Because I’ve been very closeted and transphobic about myself for most of my life I’ve just done my best to live with the pain. But the stress and pain has become unbearable and has taken a large toll on my mental health. I have done google searches about testicle pain in transgender people and the only thing I have found is testicle pain in people who are on hormones. I also saw a urologist once and described what I was experiencing. I was (and still am) in the closet to most people so I didn’t mention my gender identity issues. He did an examination and sent me for an x ray and that was it. He said it was nothing. For my entire adult life I have drifted from meaningless job to meaningless job. I’ve lived with my parents off and on. I’ve dealt with mental illness for 20 years. At 37 im at the point now where if I don’t make an effort to follow my dreams and start living my life I might as well not live at all. I understand (I think) that for most trans people the transition process starts with appearance and then works it’s way to whether or not you want surgery. But im in so much pain that I can barely get out of bed in the morning. Does anyone have any experience with genital pain without hrt? Has anyone heard of this? Can anyone help me? Is there a doctor that i should see? I’m not opposed to getting my testicles removed but I want to make sure I am doing the right thing. But I just don’t know who to talk to or where to get help. Anyone with some advice or support would mean the world to me. Thank you.

[Jackie C.]

OK, so step one is to get a better urologist. There are a LOT of reasons to have testicular pain. You need to get that dealt with. Personally, the only "testicular pain" I had was after GCS when my nervous system INSISTED that my right testicle was in distress. It was in a landfill at the time (probably, it was a teaching hospital so they might be in a jar somewhere, I have no idea. I can say with certainty they weren't in MY possession though.)

Bottom line? Get that checked out by another doctor and another one after that if they can't do anything for the pain. Nobody should have to live like that.

 

Step two would be to talk to a gender therapist. I know that just coming out of the closet helped with most of my mental health issues. Sure, they linger a bit, but they're much more manageable now then they were when I was suppressing everything. I'm actually working on building a career now.

 

Finally, getting your testicles removed, unless it's medically necessary, is an intensely personal decision. It was a no-brainer for me, but I'd been fantasizing about getting rid of the stupid things since I was eight. You don't NEED surgery to be trans. You're every bit as valid as I am and your dysphoria monster is all your own. Your journey is all about what it takes to feel comfortable in your own skin.

 

Hugs!

[VickySGV]

Chronic intense pain is definitely a SOMETHING, especially if it has lasted that long.  For that situation, Gender Dysphoria is the wrong tree to be barking up so don't let the GD get in your way of receiving adequate medical treatment it is related to GD only by  you having both problems at once.  It may be anyone of a number of things which are not detected by X-ray's so off to another doctor you go and soon, especially if you do have depression problems.  Once you are done with that pain, then you can deal with a Therapist with experience in gender issues.  If it is Gender Dysphoria, it will be with you after the other is cleared up and then you have a clear road ahead of you for that issue.  First things first, is the source of the physical pain. 

[Carolyn Marie]

Yes, I'd have to second what @Jackie C.had to say.  Find a urologist and tell them the same thing you just told us.  If they are any good at all they will be able to figure this out.  You don't need to come out to them at all if you don't want to.  Being trans has nothing to do with having testicular pain unless you already had testicular surgery.

 

BTW, welcome to Trans Pulse.

 

HUGS

 

Carolyn Marie

[KathyLauren]

Sorry to hear about the chronic pain.  DItto to all the above.

 

If you do decide to get rid of the testicles because of the pain, it could have a bearing on future vaginoplasty surgery, if that is what your future holds for you.  Some orchiectomy scars can interfere with vaginoplasty.  If the orchi surgeon is aware that you are trans, they can ensure that the scars are positioned in a way that doesn't limit your future GCS options.

 

I am not suggesting that you should or shouldn't come out to your doctors, nor am I suggesting that you should or shouldn't have GCS.  It is just something to consider.

[Ivy]

Welcome Lemmy.

I hope you can get this taken care of soon.