Hi!

I've been around, off an on, for a while. A change in my personal circumstances (the end of a 6+ year relationship) means that I'm likely to visit more often, so hello!

I underwent an orchiectomy at a regular urologist's in November 2003. I was already hypogonadal, and on testosterone replacement. The surgery was to deal with badly atrophied, painful testes that were disappearing into my body.

At the time, I took the option of small, saline implants. They made my partner feel a little happier about a difficult surgery, so it seemed worthwhile.

Now I'm rediscovering myself. I was on a low enough maintenance dose of testosterone (the gel form), and I'm probably going to discontinue that. I also want to get the implants removed. I no longer really see a need for either....

Anyway, I'm interested in chatting with people in similar situations and hope to meet a few of you around the boards...

m

Welcome aboard! You certainly have a lot to contribute to those of us changing and discovering new aspects of ourselves. Thank you for joining.

Welcome, or welcome back.

Although your ordeal may not have been made by your choice, I laud you for stepping forward and making the most of who you are. Being a eunuch can be a beautiful thing, there is no reason to hide it.

As a gay man, it's easy to put sex at the center of who you are, that's how we and others define us. A eunuch can still be gay (i.e. attracted to other men) but sex may become a secondary or perhaps a non-issue. To know others for who they are, spiritually and emotionally is a stronger bond than sex alone.

I and perhaps many others are very interested in reading about your journey as you hae arrived at a destination that most of us have yet to reach.

Hugs- Malecheii

Morgie,

Welcome to the active part of the Archive. Thank you for joining in the conversation. As you post, you will make friends here at one of the friendliest places that I’ve found on the Net.

You write that you are thinking about going off your dose of Androgel. Remember that there will be both health and psychological consequences as your body adjusts. Be prepared for the changes and, for the psychological changes, make certain that you have a support network ready. The body may well throw you into a bout of depression as your brain chemistry adjusts to the lack of testosterone. It’s common (as it is for women going through menopause with its loss of estrogen). It’s biochemical, not really psychological. Once you get through that stage, you will probably find, as have many others here, that there are great benefits to be had. It’s just a very rough patch along the way.

You probably ought to reread the thread Consequences of Castration (http://www.eunuch.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=4616) on the Nonfiction Board for the information it contains. Feel free to ask any questions that you have as well.

It’s good to have you as an active part of the group.

Jesus

Hi

Thanks for the welcome messages.

I have quarterly/half yearly checkups with an endocrinologist. She was aware last time that I'd pretty much stopped using the gel. The risks seem to be osteoporosis (not yet a concern, but we have to monitor it) and a higher than desirable body fat percentage.

I was 83 kilos and 21% body fat last time I was tested, not particularly unusual at 38 years old and 1.71m tall (5ft6). I was a pretty stable 73 kilos before I reckon the hypogonadism kicked in. My weight hasn't much changed in the last few yearss, before or after the orchi.

My sex life had diminished before I stopped and, thankfully, only my libido seems affected. Same as before TRT.

My regular endo is now on maternity leave, so I'll see what alternatives her replacement suggests in a couple of weeks time.

Btw, the gel I use is called Testogel - I think it might be marketed as Testoderm in the US and Canada. It's a lot better than the patches that I was using before the gel, but I don't think I need it.

Anyone aware of any alternatives to testosterone to prevent osteoporosis?

I've seen mention of something called Fosamax, and estrogens...

m

Hi Morgie,

You found the right place to get answers. My story is similar to yours. I still have my testicles, however (maybe not for much longer). I was injured on my 14th bday and had low T until a doctor discovered it when I was 19. It was interesting going though high school without sex drive. It gave me a perspective on sexual behavior that I truly believe has made me a better person, and a better partner for my wife.

However, low testosterone does not agree with me. I get very sick and frail. I lose 50 or 60 pounds in about three months when I go off T, yet I get a fat belly. I get depressed and all I want to do is watch TV. I lose all my strength, I mean I get tired climbing the stairs to the second floor of my house and I have trouble carrying a heavy bag of groceries. I get very susceptible to viruses as well, and I don't recover well.

But that's me. If you feel good without testosterone more power to you. Just do it smart. Everyone here will help you. Low-dose estrogen seems to be popular here for preventing osteoporosis. Make sure you read Andrew's posts, he's covered everything at one time or another. Thanks Andrew.

BTW - I go to a preventative medical clinic now and I'm happy with my medical care for the first time in my life. They really understand my situation. If anyone is having trouble with doctors find a preventative medical clinic. I have 16x7 access to a real doctor via cellphone. I have a phone consultation once a week and they really seem to care about my definition of "quality of life".

I don't post a lot but I've gained a lot of emotional help from reading the posts of everyone here. Thanks guys and gals. Morgie, as you go through stuff, talk about it here. Someone here has been through the same thing and probably has some suggestions.

T

Hi DocT

Your problems with fatigue when you're off T sound severe. I guess that you'd have to watch for depression, too.

In my case (possibly like your own) the main impact of the actual surgery was psychological, rather than physical. Sure, the surgery is invasive but, despite a few months to get used to the idea, I went through a reactive depression (according to my GP). Physically, I felt better once I'd healed.

It didn't help that my partner was more freaked out about the surgery than I was. Mind you, the implants meant that I looked better to his mind after surgery than I did before... How your wife feels about the surgery is probably almost as important as how you feel.

If you want to talk further about it, we could try the personal messaging, or exchange email addresses...

all the best,

m

Hello Morgie glad to see you here i to went through an orchi about six monthes ago but it was my choice and my urologest was very surportave of me and was willing to give me this operation.I had been on depo provera for two years befor that so i knew what i wanted and so far i have not been disapointed .The only thing i needed to do after my surgery was get some hormones in my body you know we all need hormones of some kind.At first i didnt think i needed any but as the months went by i could feel a need for somthing so i went back on the premarin that i had taken befor my surgery and within hours i felt better and more calmer again.My psychiatrist felt i should try testosterone but i would never put that stuff back in my body and i made that perfictaly clear and she has recomended the premarin to my doctor.Feel free to send me a privet message if you feel you want more info and thanks for droping by.

....

morgie (imported) wrote: Tue Jan 04, 2005 2:20 am Your problems with fatigue when you're off T sound severe. I guess that you'd have to watch for depression, too.

In my case (possibly like your own) the main impact of the actual surgery was psychological, rather than physical. Sure, the surgery is invasive but, despite a few months to get used to the idea, I went through a reactive depression (according to my GP). Physically, I felt better once I'd healed.

It didn't help that my partner was more freaked out about the surgery than I was. Mind you, the implants meant that I looked better to his mind after surgery than I did before... How your wife feels about the surgery is probably almost as important as how you feel.

My motivations for seeking the removal of my testes ~ 5 years ago were similar, and I was also previously hypogonadic. Docs had warned me many years previously that castration might be the best course to mitigate increasing pain eminating from the scar tissue that was abuilding as a result of the tight testes that spent most of their lives in my inguinal canals. As the testes were always in my inguinal canals during sex, I usually had to explain why I had an empty sac to occasional sex partners in any event. I was receiving bi-weekly T injections for many years, but have been on AndroGel for the past year. I originally initiated HRT to overcoming physical lethargy. I've also found that it gives me enough energy that I can now more easily participate in the outdoor and athletic pursuits that give me psychic energy. Since being castrated, I've also lost 25 #s, including 2" from my waist, and am now a stelt 140# guy w/ a 30" waist and 10% body fat.

I've had much support from others. My partner likes my ballless look and says he cums much faster when he fucks me and views my empty crotch. Others with whom I discussed my impending castration encouraged me to have at least small implants, but accepted my decision not to do so. A few thought I should have the sac removed as well. I don't know how it feels to have implants, but I enjoy having nothing between my legs. I've recently had 2 rings inserted in the sac, and all my friends have complimented me on how neat it looks. While I also think occasionally of foregoing the T, that I like the way I look and enjoy my energy and athletic pursuits keeps me going.