keeping muscle mass?

[greeneg (imported)]

Old Softee reported orbs returning to

prior fullness after HRT. One thing

that confuses me about this is that

I was under the impression that when

people who are still producing T ingest

more, they suffer shrinkage. This seems

sort of contradictory and confusing to me.

In my personal opinion I am WAY too

young to be facing total loss of natural

production, but I don't want to do

anything is going to backfire.

Mostly what I need is an appropriate

diagnosis but I still have not been to

the doctor. I am in graduate school

and very worried about getting this

cited as a pre-existing condition that

would not be covered if I have an

insurance gap between graduation and

my next job.

As somebody who has achieved this

lowered level without chemical assistance,

I would also be interested in hearing

from anyone who *is* currently on

androgen-suppressants and how they

feel about how they feel.

So far I am not really minding it on

a day-to-day basis but I am very

depressed in terms of my overall

life-arc about unexpected loss of

fertility. Can't believe I didn't visit

that sperm-bank LAST year.....

[Leona Lee (imported)]

HORMONE REPLACEMENT

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Jeff used to be Dr. Spector's assisstent. Here is a page he put together on Spector's old web site for those considering castration.

@@@@@@@@

By Jeff Adams

The Pros and Cons of Hormone Replacement Therapy

The American Medical Association Encyclopedia of Medicine defines Hormone Replacement Therapy as: “The use of a synthetic or natural hormone to treat a hormone deficiency…”

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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 “eunuch calm”, 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 (1,500 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.

Hi! I have a weakening disability.While on Estrogen and Anti-Androgens,I have some weakness,listless.I would like to be castrated but I'm afraid of too much weakness.As it is,I Go maybe 4 mos. on and 2mos.off . I love the estrogen feeling but I feel I must be careful.What are your thoughts on this?I also work out 3 times a week.PSA Now .2 before estrogen 2.4 I'm 58.I was warned about these could be habit forming.Love it,Leona

[littletits (imported)]

It is my experience that as a no T Eunuch muscle loss is extensive mostly in the upper body and arms. No amount of exercise will retain the normal muscle mass of an intact man. I exercise and weight train regularly but I have the body shape of a well toned woman. I am now on estrogen and have breasts. It does not restore any sex drive or build muscle.

[JessicaH (imported)]

Last time I had my T level checked it was below 20 and my E was around 200. I started with ethyl alcohol injections then spiro and finasteride with 4mg of estrace. I have been on MtF HRT for 14 months now and have been dissapointed in the LACK of strength loss and muscle size. I have had a fair amound of body hair loss and breast growth but the muscle just doesn't want to go. So, I guess "your milage may vary"....

[eunuch2001 (imported)]

Thank you Andrew for the page of info from Jeff Adams. That is very useful knowledge to have.