HORMONE REPLACEMENTBy Jeff Adams
The Pros and Cons of Hormone Replacement Therapy
The American Medical Association Encyclopedia of Medicine defines Hormone Replacement Therapy as: ΒThe use of a synthetic or natural hormone to treat a hormone deficiencyΒ Β
The hormone Testosterone is greatly reduced in the blood of a Eunuch after castration. The remaining sex hormones in the body are produced by the adrenal glands and are only about 5% of the pre-castration level in an adult. Some Eunuchs choose Hormone Replacement Therapy after their surgery. Either the male hormone testosterone or the female hormone estrogen can be used.
Testosterone Β Pros: Testosterone has the benefit of increasing the bone and muscle mass in an adult, as well as providing a strong libido. The male hormone also provides greater stamina and maintains male secondary sexual characteristics.
Testosterone Β Cons: Testosterone has been linked to the advancement of bone and prostate cancer. It causes male pattern baldness and is known to increase male aggressiveness. It has been suggested that testosterone is the reason males live on average 10 to 15 years shorter lives than Women and Eunuchs.
Estrogen Β Pros: Estrogen has the benefit of maintaining some libido, although diminished for an adult male. It also maintains bone mass and may prevent osteoporosis. Lower levels cause no or very little feminization of the body. Higher levels can cause moderate increase in breast size and body shape.
Estrogen Β Cons: This is a female hormone being taken by a relatively male body. The changes in attitude and feeling for the non-transgendered may not be acceptable. Estrogen, however, is a far milder hormone than testosterone and causes fewer negative health effects. All HRT must be monitored (testosterone or estrogen) because they may both cause some liver damage. HRT should always be monitored by a doctor.
General HRT Pros and Cons: In general there are three camps on HRT. Transsexuals need HRT in order to modify their bodies to become female. Eunuchs are split into two. The Eunuch who wishes to maintain some or all of his sexuality would most likely use Testosterone. He would be as normal as any adult male in appearance and feeling, and subject to all male ills associated with this hormone. He may also choose to use estrogen. Again, there are few negatives to estrogen. This would stop most health problems associated with no HRT.
Finally Β No HRT
Pros: If you choose not to take HRT, you will develop to varying degrees (depending on age of castration) certain features. Your skin will become softer, the hair as well. You will develop the Βeunuch calmΒ, an indescribable feeling of peace and calm.
Cons: You may gain weight (10 to 50 pounds depending upon your metabolism). You will also be at a greater risk for osteoporosis and should take regular calcium supplements for life (1500 mg per day).
This page is presented to give some information and get people thinking. I personally advocate no HRT (but that is just my opinion for me). For more information, contact your family doctor.
