Questions from a younger male

[Brandon86 (imported)]

Hello, I am a younger male interested in castration. I have some questions. First off, I know it's a big decision and I am young, etc, etc. I can't afford it now, anyways. I want to wait until I finish my schooling in a few years.

1. Are there any specific health benefits to castration? I once read that one study seemed to indicate that castrated males live longer.

2. How much does it cost?

3. What are the requirements to get approved by the doctor?

4. How long does recovery take from the time of the procedure?

5. What are the immediate after effects?

6. What are the longterm effects?

[A-1 (imported)]

What is your age?

A-1

[Brandon86 (imported)]

I am twenty years old. Everyone tells me that is just sooo young to make big decisions. Do you know they won't let me donate anything more than marrow right now because they don't think I can make the decision? What crap. But back to what I asked. Thanks.

[Slammr (imported)]

Hello, I am a younger male interested in castration. I have some questions. First off, I know it's a big decision and I am young, etc, etc. I can't afford it now, anyways. I want to wait until I finish my schooling in a few years.

1. Are there any specific health benefits to castration? I once read that one study seemed to indicate that castrated males live longer.

It's a trade off perhaps. There are health issues caused by castration: bone lose, hot flashes, weight gain, muscle loss, loss of strength, depression. On the plus side, you would probably never develop prostate cancer. Loss of libido can be a plus or minus, depending on one's perspective.

2. How much does it cost?

Depends. Kimmel in Philly is probably the cheapest way to go, $2000 -- $2500.

3. What are the requirements to get approved by the doctor?

From what I gather, as long as you have the money, Kimmel wil do it. Other doctors are more particular.

4. How long does recovery take from the time of the procedure?

About three weeks, if no complications, depending on the procedure done.

5. What are the immediate after effects?

gradual loss of libido, hot flashes, possible depression as the body readjusts

6. What are the longterm effects?

Sterility, weight gain, loss of musculature, might be more emotional than before. Search the boards. Every thing you ask has been answered by people much more knowledgeable than I.

Why are you interested in Castration? What led you here?

[Brandon86 (imported)]

Depends. Kimmel in Philly is probably the cheapest way to go, $2000 -- $2500.

Doesn't sound too expensive. Are there additional costs that one might incur; I mean, besides the plane ticket there?

From what I gather, as long as you have the money, Kimmel wil do it. Other doctors are more particular.

How particular? Is it kind of like SRS and they want letters from mental health professionals? So, what is this Kimmel's full name? Does he have a website? An important concern for me would be his age, since I plan on waiting a few years. Is he near retirement?

Why are you interested in Castration? What led you here?

A number of reasons, I guess. One, it's just been something I've wanted to do now for a long time. It's one of those things, I think. There are of course religious reasons I might offer. It's not because I have a high sex drive or anything. I am a reasonably healthy male, in body, mind, and spirit.

[Brandon86 (imported)]

From what I could find in other threads, Dr. Kimmel is getting kind of older, maybe will retire soon? Too bad, too bad.

[Glenda J (imported)]

I strongly recommend taking hormones for a while first. You can "check it out" and decide if this if for you. You can, "go back" after a certain point. In any case chemical castration does not prevent one from going for surgical castration later on. Also, the "hot flashes" are usually preventable by hormones and getting familiar with them first is a good way to go.

[Paolo]

http://www.eunuch.org/vbulletin/search.php (http://www.eunuch.org/vbulletin/search.php)?

Use that. Just punch in the terms and you'll get all sorts of threads to read. I'll also be daring enough to suggest that you send "The Fraj" a private message or email via the site and get his advice.

[plix (imported)]

Hello Brandon. I am someone who was castrated at 20 (just last year). I chose not to use any chemical castration beforehand because of my reasons for being castrated. But I would strongly recommend no one else makes the same choice (not using chem first). Chem is always a good way to give real castration a test run. I am sure you know that once you are castrated it is forever and hrt is not an exact replacement (it's also very expensive and can be hard to get).

In my case I have mixed feelings about my castration but overall I have mostly come to accept it. I would most likely do it over again. However, just because I came to terms with it does not mean you will be able to.

1. As was mentioned, you get some good and some bad when it comes to health. At my age I was not overly concerned about the potential negative health effects of testosterone, but those caused by lack of T are more of a concern at a young age. You will be more likely to develop osteoporosis as your bones have not finished maturing. The other issues mentioned are also a concern.

2. The price varies widely depending on your surgeon, but Kimmel gave me a $300 discount to bring the total price down to $1700. There's also travel, lodging, and other necessities. My total price was about $3000.

3. Kimmel did not require any letters or other things from me except the cash. He asks you a few questions to determine your reasons and make sure you know what you are getting into.

4. For me it was less than a week, though this seems to be lower than average. Age could play a part.

5. Within several days I had a decrease in erections and a dramatic reduction in libido that still continues to decrease to this day. Other than general post-surgery issues (pain, tiredness, etc.) I did not notice anything else.

6. I take estrogen, so your experiences may not be the same as mine. I have lost most libido and erectile function, skin has softened, breasts have started to develop, energy has decreased, short-term memory has decreased, body hair has decreased, head hair has increased, weight has increased, tears come more easily. I never had much of an issue with hot flashes probably because I take estrogen.

I don't know of any doctor in the US other than Kimmel who will perform voluntary castrations for non-transgender men. Some have asked around enough and found a local doctor who would, though you risk being considered mentally unstable through this method. Kimmel is probably your best option, and no one knows his actual age. I've heard guesses from 60s to 70s, so he is probably not far off from retirement. He does not have a website, but you can call him at his office at 215-563-0847.

Feel free to contact me if you want to discuss this further. I would be happy to talk to you

[thefraj (imported)]

Thanks Paolo for pointing out this thread!

Brandon, I am not a doctor, but like Plix I hope to offer some good advice as a friend who can understand how you might be feeling.

I was about the same age when visiting EA, and was finally castrated at 22. I was sure nobody could have understood how I felt, and I wouldn't have listened to them anyway. In this way, I hope we differ

Health benefits and concerns (as often discussed in other threads and the FAQ

(http://www.eunuch.org/vbulletin/

faq.php?)) and Dr Kimmel route as Plix mentioned.

But what I'm really interested in explaining is the psychological changes/problems that can occur - particularly for younger eunuchs.

Firstly, it's worth pointing out that you will no longer be male - at least - not a complete one. You are likely to become more emotionally frail, less assertive, less agressive, in short - less male. How will this affect your perception of yourself? Relationships with friends or (potential?) partners? How will you introduce your condition?

In short, you will change. And depression becomes a major concern because of (1) your youth (you've only been a fully functioning adult for a matter of years!!) (2) this added emotional frailty. Of course, everyone is different, but I had some tough times dealing with all of this. And I don't want another soul to go through that if there is anything I can do. Your mental health will affect everything in your life; your job, your partner, your children (adopted or biological), your future. Everything. And - although much of the effects of surgical castration can be reversed, the condition itself cannot. There will be no changing your mind.

Sorry if this is sounding a little negative. But if it does, then I'm doing my duty. I can't overemphasise how important it is to try the chemical route first. Everything will be as it is with surgery, but you will still have the option of changing your mind. In that time, please at least think about what I've written.

I'm here at 25, having spent many years wrestling with this new identity, and even now - from time to time - my demons come back to haunt me. But it isn't all bad. I'm accepting of my condition - and all the people I work with know about it. I don't mind. There is no shame in what I am. But it took me many years to get to this point.

Something I wish I could have asked myself (back then, prior to castration) was to explore what makes you feel this way. Most people do not want to be castrated. What makes you different? Can you say in what way you are different?

As Plix said, I'm here too and eager to talk about it - please feel free to drop me a line anytime

~Rog