seanthomas (imported) wrote: Thu Apr 15, 2021 8:19 am The fact is there is simply not enough research in the field from which to draw unequivocal conclusions. With the proliferation of transgender treatments perhaps more studies will give better answers.
What we do know is that surgical castration leaves a small amount of adrenal produced testosterone. Generally this is 50-60ng/dl but can be as high as 100ng/dl. (low T is generally considered under 300ng/dl). Some of that testosterone will convert into estradiol and in some cases can cause estrogen dominance.
We also know that both men and women produce male and female hormones in inverse proportions and a balance of those hormones is generally necessary for a healthy libido. Women need a little T and men need a little E. But what is a healthy libido? Wanting sex once a day, once a week or once a month?
One resent study of castrated men found that estradiol alone did not increase libido. Nor did progesterone alone. However, from the limited data there is some suggestion that a combination of both female hormones had a positive effect on not only sex drive but sensitivity as well. The down side to taking female hormones is gradual feminization, so many men would reject such treatment.
However, I will say this once again. Hormones aside, the human brain is the biggest sex organ in the body. So although hormones play a major role in libido, their absense is not the end all to a sex life.
Absence of testes while removing the vast majority of testosterone production it is not the end all of libido. While I've never had my hormone levels checked by lab work it is evident in what I look like, that lack of large amounts of "T", the body will change over time. And adding estrogen will make those changes produce secondary female looks. I never had medical followup to guide me through hormone treatment and I live with the results. I am not a female as I have no vagina and do have a prostate. That being said I experience a healthy libido and consider myself a straight person. Yes, my sexual attractions are now more to the male physique as a male penis now satisfies my needs. There are many other stimulation's of the body where pre-castration I never noticed. This may be part of the secondary aspects of adding estrogen into the mix. The recent many studies and experiments do not address the many changes the body will go through as the manipulation of hormone takes place. Each person that begins going down this road must not only consider the known changes that will take place but also be prepared for the vast quantity of unknown changes that will be very subtle over many years. The road I have traveled has been paid for out of my own pocket and with my own body. Be prepared!