leftbehind33 (imported) wrote: Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:29 am Raymar,

Thanks for your reply. I specified "genital dysphoria" rather than "gender dysphoria" because 1) gender dysphoria is probably recognized as a more legitimate reason to part with the testes than simply hating one's genitals and 2) my personal dislike for my testicles is not related to any gender issues. I still want to maintain male role, function, and characteristics; I just want my testosterone from a vial, not my testes. I'm borrowing the term from Gianna Israel (http://www.firelily.com/gender/gianna/g ... rview.html).

In this sense, I guess it's more "cosmetic" than medical, unless the urologist recognizes the "psychic distress" of having unwanted genitals. And this is why I think it would be unlikely for many therapists to relate, as it is neither the castration fetishism (whereby one gains a sexual thrill at the thought of it or simply obsesses over it) nor the matter of transgenderism they are more likely to be familiar with. Moreover, I wonder what urologist would write a letter of recommendation, as the situation would be akin to a person seeking amputation of a healthy organ. (If "genital dysphoria" is uncommon with shrinks, it is probably less common with urologists, and hence lacks recognition as a genuine diagnosis).

I don't want to go the route of needing to take chemical castration medication for a year simply to qualify for physical castration and then go on hormone replacement therapy to undo the damage from low T. From the trans-girls I've spoken with, it seems there is a point of no return, beyond which the body becomes less sensitive to testosterone (though this could be because of the fact that they take estrogen on top of testosterone blockers).

I'd love to be proven wrong on this matter &/or given a name or a directory that would hone in on what direction to go.

kristoff wrote: Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:39 am What you are discussing as Genital Dysphoria is more apty described in terms of Body Identity Integrity Disorder (BIID). It was first named apotemnophilia. Dr. Michael First coined the term BIID. Initially, it was described as though an extremity didn't belong, and hence needed to be removed. Since that time, Dr. First acknowledges that BIID can involve "mid-line appendages," i.e. penis and/or testicles. I would pursue things from that angle - and would not try an urologist first. I would suggest a PhD or MD level psychologist or psychiatrist - more likely to find some understanding or willingness to investigate further.