Do Eunchs have Courage

[large one (imported)]

I recently stopped HRT after many years and all seemed to progress like I expected. Lost libido, stopped erections occurring and life seemed a lot more peaceful than it has been. I don’t need to be competitive and opted for a better and simpler life.

However, the other day I woke up to what was happening and decided to make an assessment.

I have a radio mast which I climb when needed to replace the light globes on the top. I got some distance up and found I really did not want to proceed. The job is still not completed. At the time I blamed the wind but on reflection it was no stronger than normal.

Another instance occurred when I was driving and another driver tried to involve me in a road rage incident. I found myself petrified and really apologized to avoid a confrontation when the incident was minor and I would normally have told the aggressor where to go and would have been prepared to show him.

I still interact with females as I did before, but always made sure I did not put myself in a situation where I would have been expected to perform, a occurrence that would have been pleasant but impossible. I find that the interaction with the same women which I always looked forward to, now to be honest is a drag.

I find I am putting off making decisions that would normally involve a quick decision making process and the matter would be over.

I find myself choked up with emotion whilst reading books. This is not so bad when by myself but was very embarrassing when another person was present.

I know that never before have I had “T” levels so low. I’m not getting serious hot flushes but I won’t say that I’m not getting any. This may be because it’s a long time since I lost the ability to produce my own “T”.

What I want to know is, is this happening because I logically expect it to, or is it mainly my imagination.

Will it be permanent or will my body become accustomed to the low level “T” and then things return at least partly to what I had previously.

[butterflyjack (imported)]

Large one, interesting topic...And another question you might ask. Maybe it's better this way...and I think the last line of your correspondence says it all..Your body may just have to become accustomed to this new drastic level of T...My guess is, although you will remain changed in many ways, it will mollify over time...I like the sound of the "new you". Keep us informed...Nice post...Thanks Jackie

[paring (imported)]

All you are saying is for real. I've experienced same feeling. The lack of erection and libido, being more emotional or mellow and less agressive were the good part of lack of testosterone and I was comfortable with those. The lack of testosterone also brings more serious problems, specially if you still have to work like a man I mean physical work. I've experienced some memory lost, lack of concentration, lack of energy, severe arthritis pain and depression, hot flushes only occurred once almost every night but with time I've got fewer. Without testosterone you can not expect to do a man work, I'm on TRT at this moment. Like you I want to quit TRT to see if I can live without testosterone but I'll wait after retirement. Lack of testosterone is not all that bad except for the side effects.

[janekane (imported)]

What is generally true for "most people" may not be true for "some people."

For me, I am able to work physically, when I choose to do so, essentially as well as when I was half my present age. I can do (and have done) work that is physically demanding and, in doing the work, it is as before, and I have not experienced a loss of stamina or endurance.

One day, in 1986, I had testicles and the testosterone they produced; by the next day, they were gone. No hot flashes for me. No memory loss, no deterioration of concentration; for me, my memory and concentration seem to have improved. As best I can tell, I have about as much "get up and go' as ever.

I am one individual person. To me, each and every person is unique. I work at, and solve, problems which were too difficult for me to solve when I had testicles and normal-for-me-then (never measured) testosterone levels. I am as well able to do "a man's work" as I ever was.

A few years ago, after I passed age 65, a friend who has a severe physical disability asked me for some help. He had a large storage unit in a gulf coast state, and wanted to retrieve property in storage from before he developed his severe physical disability. A truck and large enclosed trailer were available. For three days, about 12 hours a day, I picked up boxes, some very heavy (well over 100 pounds), sorted through them with my friend deciding what to leave behind and what to take, and filled the truck and trailer. Some questionable items were packed in the truck and trailer until they were both filled to capacity. The air temperature was in the high 90s (Fahrenheit). At night, we slept in the cab of the truck (no air conditioning at night). I could not have worked harder or longer when I was in my mid twenties to early thirties.

I climb radio towers as needed. I have, and use, an OHSA-standard-compliant full body harness. I have about a hundred feet of Rohn 25G tower waiting for the funds for the concrete to become concrete. I have in storage a Ham-M rotator and a legal-power-limit tri-band beam waiting for the concrete to become financially achievable.

I never depended on testosterone for physical strength and endurance. Throughout my life, I have depended on choosing to be sufficiently physically active that my stamina is the result of activity, and is not dependent on the passive effects of hormones.

Of course, the way I live is definitely not proper for many other people, people whose genotype and phenotype differ significantly from mine.

I have neither the temerity nor audacity to tell what life will be like in the future for someone other than myself. Perhaps that is because I have neither the temerity nor audacity to tell myself what my life will be like in the future.

I do what I can do and I do not do what I cannot do, and I learn which is which by doing what I do.

I guess I cannot be made afraid of the future, because it has yet to happen; I guess I cannot be made afraid of the past because it is already over and done with.

That leaves me with the present, which, to me, is the gift of life; and I seem to be unable to become afraid of the gift.

My personal solution to the enigma of anxiety/regret is simple: For me, whatever happens, as it happens, is necessary and sufficient.

"Do eunuchs have courage"? Obviously... How else does anyone dare to take the next breath?

Does it take more, or less, courage to deal with an apparent conflict violently or peaceably?

[paring (imported)]

Yes eunuchs have courage. Things get a little harder to do but we all manage to do what has to be done. I've built my own house alone when I was on anti androgen. Later, I had to quit anti androgen because the side effects were unbearable and doing so didn't help to bring my T level back up, it was close to castration level. TRT helped me a lot. I often think of my days (8 y.)on anti androgen which I have no regret at all even though I must relay on TRT today. Anti androgen have cured me from an over active libido which putted at risk for HIV to often. Even though I'm on TRT now I rarely go out for sex since, perhaps once a year. Like I said in my other post I'm waiting to retire to quit TRT and see what will happen. Being sex less is what I miss most, I just hope the side effects won't come back.

[transward (imported)]

I think this whole thread is an example of fuzzy thinking. You are throwing around several different concepts as if they are the same thing. Even if they all may be linked to T levels, aggression, stamina and courage are not the same thing. Particularly with teenage males, there is an idiotic risk taking that may be mistaken for courage, but real courage is more a matter of character than of T levels. Perhaps I am a bit too acrophobic, but climbing an antenna seems closer to idiotic risk taking than real courage.

Transward

[Lasander (imported)]

real courage is more a matter of character than of T levels.

there is an idiotic risk taking that may be mistaken for courage

Bah, you beat me to it.

[gandalf (imported)]

All you are saying is for real. I've experienced same feeling. The lack of erection and libido, being more emotional or mellow and less agressive were the good part of lack of testosterone and I was comfortable with those. The lack of testosterone also brings more serious problems, specially if you still have to work like a man I mean physical work. I've experienced some memory lost, lack of concentration, lack of energy, severe arthritis pain and depression, hot flushes only occurred once almost every night but with time I've got fewer. Without testosterone you can not expect to do a man work, I'm on TRT at this moment. Like you I want to quit TRT to see if I can live without testosterone but I'll wait after retirement. Lack of testosterone is not all that bad except for the side effects.

Paring. I am on TRT also but a low dose. I am trying to lower it more and have just staqrted trying. I guess, the only thing I might say about no TRT and after retirement: You might find yourself more busy after retirement because people will say; " he' can do it he's retired and does not have anything to do. Believe me, I know those requests come in. I still get some and at my age (73) I have decided there are only a few jobs I can...or will do. What with all I have had to accomplish since retirement, I wonder how I got anything done while I had a paying job.

[Paolo]

I'd say the Byzantine Era left us plenty of proof (think General Narses) that eunuchs do indeed have courage. I think the Ostrogoths would probably agree.

[JesusA (imported)]

I'd say the Byzantine Era left us plenty of proof (think General Narses) that eunuchs do indeed have courage. I think the Ostrogoths would probably agree.

Eunuchs as military leaders began at least by the time of the Assyrian Empire. Army generals were eunuchs and they commanded troops that included entire ranks of eunuch archers. There were probably other eunuchs in the Assyrian army that secured the empire, but the commanders and the archers are the best documented.