Hello!

[Umptieth (imported)]

Hello there!

As a long time lurker I finally signed up, again. I can't stand it anymore. I'm old enough (59), I've got enough offspring (4), married (things are good and very quiet) and want to 'settle' down.

The thing is, I'm scared shitless by some of the effects described in the Castration Primer (http://forums.eunuch.org/showthread.php ... ion-Primer):

weight gain (bad enough as it is already),

loss of stamina (currently superb),

muscle mass (already not a lot),

moobs (size A- already),

cognitive ability (required for work)

Osteoporosis (bones still holding strong)

I've done my homework and read all the mega-threads but the one thing I didn't find (or overlooked) is how to reduce T drastically?

Is that at all possible? This is probably a dumb or unauthorised (...) question.

OTOH, I really wouldn't mind getting rid of my junk, but as I said, I'm scared by all the side effects.

I know it would be possible to do something about those side effects with TRT or HRT but somehow I don't see myself taking meds each and every day.

Maybe a chemical cure again for a while? But given that these aren't harmless drugs, I don't think these drugs should be taken all the time.

It's a quandary.

Sorry, this is a weird intro.

Bye & thanks

[Valery_V (imported)]

Your problem is solved quite simply, since You are in adulthood. You want to settle down.

You don't need hormone replacement therapy after You get rid of Your junk.

I had a similar experience, but then I was at a fairly young age.

[Losethem (imported)]

Mother Nature is a cruel mistress. We are sometimes driven to reduce our libido because it's out of control, but to do so requires medication or surgery. So the choice becomes which would you rather have to have medical intervention to maintain? The high libido, or the side effects from being castrated without replacement hormones.

[Umptieth (imported)]

Mother Nature is a cruel mistress. We are sometimes driven to reduce our libido because it's out of control, but to do so requires medication or surgery. So the choice becomes which would you rather have to have medical intervention to maintain? The high libido, or the side effects from being castrated without replacement hormones.

Nicely said and good question.

Hence the quandary.

I'm not so sure I want to pay the side effects price (yet).

Maybe force of will will help with the side effects of still having more than enough T

[Umptieth (imported)]

You don't need hormone replacement therapy after You get rid of Your junk.

Yes, I suppose so. But the potential side-effects still freak me out.

I wonder how many eunuchs manage to keep those effects in check without HRT. Trying to keep fit and eat healthy probably goes a long way but still.

If you don't mind me asking Valery, if you're not on HRT, how are you? And how do you manage?

Thanks.

[erikboy (imported)]

Yes, I suppose so. But the potential side-effects still freak me out.

I wonder how many eunuchs manage to keep those effects in check without HRT. Trying to keep fit and eat healthy probably goes a long way but still.

There are plenty of personal experiences on EA you can read. There is one rule, YMWV or your mileage will vary. Which means you never know what side effects you are going to notice most. And how you cope with them. I have done few trials. Longest was 4 months. What annoyed me most, was insomnia that developed very quickly and being out of breath very easy. Insomnia was really debilitating. I could lie on my bed all the night and I just couldn't fall asleep. It got slightly better over time as my body adjusted to castrate levels of T, but it still remained the worst side effect I experienced. Some other no T eunuchs have reported that their sleep was unchanged, or even better. I had hot flashes and cold shivers, and got sweaty very easy. But that was a nice reminder of being castrated. At least for me. Some other people describe hot flashes as debilitating nuisance. This could also vanish over time, while some other eunuchs still have hot flashes even after being an eunuch for 5 years.

Some eunuchs gain fat. Quite many actually. But I lost bodyweight instead, which was strange. And as my T returned, my weight returned too. Some people complain about energy loss. Yes, I experienced it too. I felt it was a combination of bad sleep and low T, which causes dopamine levels to drop. But, when I still was able to sleep enough, I felt very energetic in the mornings. And at evenings quite often I felt so depleted I couldn't get up from bed.

So, you have to find out yourself how castration will affect you.

[Umptieth (imported)]

Thanks Erik!

If and when I proceed with castration, I will find out my mileage the hard way. In the worst case there would be no way back (as that seems to happen for chemical too).

I have done an Androcur trial and liked (the flushes too ) its intended effects. But shortness of breath due to the drug was debilitating and made me give up the whole trial. IIRC it didn't affect my sleep. I don't know whether I should give it another try now that I'm in a pretty good physical shape?

The more I ponder about it, the more I'm worried about the weight and osteo issues.

Currently I lead a very active life (with healthy bones) and still manage to be a bit overweight due to that stupid snacking of mine . I usually feel energetic (despite the weight) and wouldn't want to lose that. So, I've been thinking to first getting this weight and snacking thing in order. If I can't manage that now, I won't be able to manage it when the T-levels is radically different.

But despite all my fears, I feel this nagging need. It's been so long now and it's really hurting me inside. It really makes me very sad sometimes.

Anyway, I'm very happy to find a kind sounding board here. Thank you so much guys, gals & others

[Losethem (imported)]

If and when I proceed with castration, I will find out my mileage the hard way. In the worst case there would be no way back (as that seems to happen for chemical too).

While not advocating you get castrated or not, there is only one way to find out what will happen. Those of us that are castrated or nullified found out and have been living with the reality of not having testicles. It's a significant step for a man to take in his life, but one that if you're done having children, can be reversed with HRT mostly. That's the biggest risk should you go for it, permanent sterility, you'll never have another child.

Again, a significant step for any man who is considering this, to take. Only you can decide what is right for you.

[Umptieth (imported)]

An update (if anyone is interested)

I shouldn't complain as I'm a happy, healthy person with a loving family.

Nevertheless, I'm feeling 'off' all the time, something is not quite right and I feel sad sometimes. My 'junk' as I call it, is bothering me more and more. It shouldn't be there.

[Begoneboy (imported)]

An update (if anyone is interested)

I shouldn't complain as I'm a happy, healthy person with a loving family.

Nevertheless, I'm feeling 'off' all the time, something is not quite right and I feel sad sometimes. My 'junk' as I call it, is bothering me more and more. It shouldn't be there.

If you truly are "

a happy, healthy person with a loving family

" perhaps something else is going on. Seek various forms of help to try and find out what is the root of your "feeling off all the time" Don't simply focus on one idea for the now. It could be any of a number of other issues that could resolve your feeling.