I have a strong desire to rid myself of masculine characteristics, at the very least stop them from developing any further. I intend to begin clinical anti-androgen therapy in May, upon the cessation of school for the year, and will consider my long-term options from there.

One issue I am curious about is bone. With a reduction/elimination of testosterone, is there merely a loss of bone density, or actual bone mass? Might bones appear physically smaller, or is it simply a matter of reduced bone strength/density?

In terms of other physical manifestions, what might they be? I imagine an increase of weight is common, due to decreased energy and metabolism. From what I have read, breast development also appears to be somewhat common. Anything else? Is there commonly any redistribution of body fat/shape/etc? I imagine some of this varies by individual.

Having the lowered hormone levels, for a short period, isn't going to be anything much to worry about. Now IF you continue with chemical castration, and/or find that you like it, and get the job DONE, then you will long-range risks.

Your bones are not going to shrink, as in shorter arms and legs, no. The mass and density are used to describe the same thing. Your bones are solid, and look like that way. Vizualize a good hambone, and how the surface looks.

After some time, but not a few months, the bone will take on the appearance of a sponge. Tiny pits and holes form as the bone loses strength and mass. It's still the same width/length though.

As for energy levels, yes, they will drop some. You won't want to be as active, and the worst part is that you might not realize it. If all you do is sit and around and eat, then you'll gain weight. Watch the sugars and carbohydrates.

I am lucky in the respect that I burn up sugars pretty fast, but since my own great hormonal crash due to repeated infections of the testicles, I have gained some weight. Not much, but some.

The weight seems to want to migrate to the hips/breast areas as well. Of course, I've always been a bit "hippy", even when I was kid. There might be a touch of breast enlargement, but nothing in the short-term that you can't hide or work off at your age.

And you are also right in the fact that your mileage will vary. You may or may not see various symptoms, in varying stages. It's different for everyone.

I think that the weight issue is really the only thing that you need to look out for, on a short-term run, though.

You might also experience hot flashes. Very suddenly, you're HOT and sweating and tired when it's over. I'll never forget the first one - hit me right in the middle of my Margarita at Chi-chi's!

And smoking wont' help, either.

As for bone density, i am well aware that elimination of testosterone would not reduce the width/length/etc of bones, i was curious as to the what happens in the reduction of mass (in respect to things such as the diameter of the bone vs simply becoming less structurally sound). You clarified all of my questions well. thank you!

additionally, with anti-androgens, is there generally a reduction of body hair (excluding facial, which I know will be minimally, if at all impacted)? any change to the common male-scalp hair pattern?

As for the hot-flash, yes, i can say i've already experienced one of those. I've played around with hormones,etc (wasn't a smart bet) for about a year before deciding to seek serious and professional treatment.

Hopefully some of the other members who have had chemical castration will see this and reply as well.

As for the body hair, I lost about half of what I had and I was pretty furry to start with. With the brief round of HRT, I would say I was at a 75% loss overall, and not all of it ever came back. I'd say that right now, some years later, I've still got a good 50% of what I had still gone!

As for the scalp hair, I was losing my hair at the usual places, the top back and the temples. It stopped in its tracks, and a bit of it even came back. Of course, after I stopped shaving my head, which I did for some time, I wouldn't have noticed! The idea of castration to preserve scalp hair only works if it's done BEFORE the hair loss starts, though.

Not a very popular cure, I don't think!

while on Androcur last year I had to have surgery, my gallbladder was removed. In that procedure they shaved me from just below my tits from side to side down into the pubes. It has been a year and I was castrated last Sept. my body hair where I was shaved is only about 20% of what it was, the rest of the chest hair is about half of normal. Hair did and is still growing on my bald head, not much but a lot more then the 7 hairs I had before. Body hair in general is a lot less and in some places have just stopped growing. As for the beard I had the 5 o clock shadow at about 4:30 before. Today I shave everyother day with no problem.

River

Once again, thanks, I appreciate the testimonials. At present I have very fine, but developing body hair. I imagine it will probably stunt, if not reverse the development all-together. Lack of scalp hair is not really an issue for me, I was simply curious.

Also, I was a little curious about Androcur ... I know it's not approved here in the United States, however it is available over the internet and in most other countries. I'm sure the endo will have knowledge of these things, but I'd be curious to hear experiences with the various anti-androgens. I cannot take spironolactone, my blood pressure is far too low, and I have concerns about depo-provera (I've had two female friends complain that this has made them gain weight like nothing else). What have your experiences been with the various chemical methods? Among the options I have seen, cyproterone acetate strikes me as the most promising and the least side-effects.

Ihave been on depo provera for about ten monthes and i have lost about fifteen pounds so far.As far as brest groth it seems this is on going with very sore niples.Body hair has slowed some what but i dont have mutch to begin with i do have some hot flashes and i am more tired tham i used to be but i have other health problems that i think is causing some of the tirdnes good luck on your jurney.

hello, how's it going?

I've read numerous posts in this forum about the effects of castration, chemical, physical or otherwise, and I wanted to ask some specific questions.

Sherry has an EXCELLENT web site, which includes a page on the effects of castration.

http://www.geocities.com/sherrylanina/C ... fects.html

Suggestions for improvement?

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Every Eunuch will have different effects from his castration. Some of this may depend on whether he is an “elective” Eunuch or not. YMWV = Your Mileage Will vary. Some side effects of castration are:

Infertility, in all cases.

Many (but not all) elective eunuchs develop “The Eunuch Calm”, with reduced or eliminated thoughts of sex and aggression.

Reduced libido, erections, and nocturnal emissions, sometimes to the point of total asexuality.

Weight gain, including subcutaneous body fat. This thin layer of fat causes the skin to become softer and smoother.

Loss or thinning of body hair, but male pattern baldness halts. Reduced body odor.

Loss of lean muscle mass (hence muscle weakness, increased fatigue, and loss of stamina). Your shoulders will become narrower and you will lose muscle definition in your upper torso without a VIGOROUS exercise program.

Little to mild breast development, and mild fat redistribution around the hips and thighs.

The penis will shrink.

Hot flushes and night sweats in some cases, lasting up to 5 years.

POSSIBLE moodiness and tearfulness.

There MIGHT be cognitive losses, mostly in spatial orientation and short term memory

Post-surgical depression is common. Possible chronic depression SHOULD be a major concern, and may require professional therapy. This is far more likely to happen to non-elective eunuchs.

The WORST side effect is osteoporosis. You will need to take at least 1,500 MG of calcium daily. Shortly before or after castration, you should have a bone density scan, and after that a scan every two years. A proper diet and exercise program will help in the battle against osteoporosis.

Most Physicians have no experience in caring for a hypogonadal man. Consider finding a Physician who has a thorough working knowledge on the problems and treatments of menopausal and post-menopausal women. Whilst the biology of a Eunuch and a post-menopausal woman are not identical, there is some overlap.

From experience, I agree with you.

"

Andrew (imported) wrote: Tue Apr 01, 2003 5:40 am Most Physicians have no experience in caring for a hypogonadal man. Consider finding a Physician who has a thorough working knowledge on the problems and treatments of menopausal and post-menopausal women. Whilst the biology of a Eunuch and a post-menopausal woman are not identical, there is some overlap.

"