Low T vs. No T

[Hash (imported)]

Please listen. The depression I'm talking about is not the result of mental anguish or sadness because you've lost your genitals, it's not that type of depression. Hormonal related depression is different, it's not the result of sadness becaus

e your penis and testicles have

been cut off and you're regretting your decision, that's not it. It's the result of hormonal loss that triggers an uncontrollable depression that you've never experienced. You have no control of it, you're not thinking at all, it just happens to you because your hormones have plummeted. Not much is written about it regarding castrated men, but a lot is written about castrated women, women who undergo hysterectomies. It's the same thing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4819414/

[justapup (imported)]

Hash & WheelyCurious, thank you for that feedback. I hadn't even thought about depression. I guess if you begrudgingly have to undergo the procedure for health reasons, that would be depressing. Do voluntary eunuchs experience depression also?

For me it wasn't the depression that got me. I went a year and a half after my orchiectomy without external hormones. The first year was awesome, first six months I was horny as heck, going to swingers meets and being topped as the Eunuch I wanted to be. After the first 6th months when my natural testosterone fully diminished and I only produced the 30ng/dl that the body still produced I started losing interest in things I was into sexually before my castration. Another 6 months went by, I stopped having sex and started getting odd feelings that I didn't have any emotions, felt blank and a bit hollow. I started estradiol at the beginning of November 2022 and after just a couple weeks I snapped out of the emptiness I felt inside. Now I'm dealing with some depression and will be seeing about upping my intake in case it's due to hormonal imbalance. Am working with my Dr to get on the right track, but it rakes some time and patience.

[Castor (imported)]

Please listen. The depression I'm talking about is not the result of mental anguish or sadness because you've lost your genitals, it's not that type of depression. Hormonal related depression is different, it's not the result of sadness becaus

672890120]
e your penis and testicles have

been cut off and you're regretting your decision, that's not it. It's the result of hormonal loss that triggers an uncontrollable depression that you've never experienced. You have no control of it, you're not thinking at all, it just happens to you because your hormones have plummeted. Not much is written about it regarding castrated men, but a lot is written about castrated women, women who undergo hysterectomies. It's the same thing. h
[/quote]
ttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4819414/

For my part, I also think that it would be dangerous to exclude the possibility of such hormonal related depressions after castration. But I also think that these depressions may not necessarily affect everyone. Therefore, one should expect it after castration, and increase the T level if necessary. However, if depression does not occur, I would try to avoid the use of artificial testosterone as much as possible.

[Castor (imported)]

Another 6 months went by, I stopped having sex and started getting odd feelings that I didn't have any emotions, felt blank and a bit hollow. I started estradiol at the beginning of November 2022 and after just a couple weeks I snapped out of the emptiness I felt inside.

That is very interesting. Why, may I ask, estradiol? Estradiol is likely to induce feminization, isn't it? Why not small amounts of testosterone?

[erikboy (imported)]

Personally for me castrate levels are around 25ng/dl and below. It means that below that level I feel free of any T side effects. No morning woods at all, no interest in sex or porn, masturbation rate around twice a month. 50ng/dL I already start to have some T effects. certainly not as much as normal male would have, but still, frequently enough to be worried. Like masturbation rate is more than once a week. At 600ng which is my normal level average mb rate is 1,5 times a day, to stay sane.

Regarding depression, castrate levels make you more emotional. It means both ways more emotional. Sure you may develope a lack of dopamine, but that is not depression yet. So far my only depression episode happened during full T levels.

[justapup (imported)]

That is very interesting. Why, may I ask, estradiol? Estradiol is likely to induce feminization, isn't it? Why not small amounts of testosterone?

In my journey becoming a eunuch, I've realized that the less manly I am the happier I feel. Feminization is not a worry of mine.

[erikboy (imported)]

Another 6 months went by, I stopped having sex and started getting odd feelings that I didn't have any emotions, felt blank and a bit hollow.

that sounds similar to lack of dopamine. I know how it feels. Low T levels can induce that condition. It is unfortunate that it is not very well studied in eunuchs and fighting methods against it basically forces you out of eunuchdom.

[justapup (imported)]

that sounds similar to lack of dopamine. I know how it feels. Low T levels can induce that condition. It is unfortunate that it is not very well studied in eunuchs and fighting methods against it basically forces you out of eunuchdom.

That is something I will talk to my Dr about. She is always open to my interests. Thank you for the info.

[WheelyCurious]

After castration I went almost a year without testosterone. Overall I felt fine. I did go through the hot flash stage, but mentally I felt quite good. I had some physical changes like improved skin, far redistribution and loss of body hair, along with a loss of erections. I started testosterone therapy because of my doctor's insistence. I recently asked my doctor why it would be an issue for someone over 50 to go without testosterone. My theory is it should be no different than what a post menopausal women experiences.

It is worth noting that osteoporosis is a MAJOR health issue for post menopausal women.... That 'hunch back" you see on the stereotypical "little old ladies" is a classic symptom. A more serious concern is the increased risk of bone fractures (particularly hip fractures) due to loss of bone mass - remember those "I've fallen and can't get up" ads? A hip fracture has a high risk of ending up living in a nursing home for what remains of a much reduced lifespan... You are sort of right about being sort of what a post menopausal woman experiences, but that isn't such a great experience....

Also worth noting that absent removal of the ovaries, a post menopausal woman still has both the adrenal production of testosterone that everyone gets and SOME production of estrogen.

You need either T or E to avoid bone health issues among other things. All that I've read suggests that either does about as well in terms of preserving health.

WheelyCurious

[zeebster (imported)]

You need either T or E to avoid bone health issues among other things. All that I've read suggests that either does about as well in terms of preserving health.

WheelyCurious

Exactly what my TG Surgeon who performed my nullification told me; "it's not good to be without sex hormones, Testosteronal or Estradiol; pick one." My PCP who has experience treating TG folks, said the same thing. I told him that I didn't want anything to do with Testosterone anymore, so he sent me to get my legs scanned looking for clots and when they were clean, he wrote me the script for the Estradiol.

I've been a lot happier and much calmer on the Estradiol than I ever was with the low dose Testosterones I wound up taking after my Orchiectomy to take care of the night sweats and return of some of the sex drives and hazardous self bondage activities I'd been engaged in which is why I got the Orchiectomy in the first place.