PLease forgive me if this topic is covered elsewhere. For all of you who spent a decent length of time on chemical castration before opting for surgical castration, I am wondering if the effects are similar. For instance, I had a pretty tough time with hot flushes when I tried cyproterone acetate for a week. I am wondering if this necessarily means that I would also have the same dreadful hot flushes after being castrated surgically. I'd be very interested to hear your experiences.

Riven (imported) wrote: Thu Jun 21, 2007 3:02 pm PLease forgive me if this topic is covered elsewhere. For all of you who spent a decent length of time on chemical castration before opting for surgical castration, I am wondering if the effects are similar. For instance, I had a pretty tough time with hot flushes when I tried cyproterone acetate for a week. I am wondering if this necessarily means that I would also have the same dreadful hot flushes after being castrated surgically. I'd be very interested to hear your experiences.

I have no direct experience, but I'd say that the answer is YES.

Riven (imported) wrote: Thu Jun 21, 2007 3:02 pm PLease forgive me if this topic is covered elsewhere. For all of you who spent a decent length of time on chemical castration before opting for surgical castration, I am wondering if the effects are similar. For instance, I had a pretty tough time with hot flushes when I tried cyproterone acetate for a week. I am wondering if this necessarily means that I would also have the same dreadful hot flushes after being castrated surgically. I'd be very interested to hear your experiences.

I was on chemical castration drug androcur for three + years. I had blood tests taken to check my hormone levels. I was at castration levels with the drug. It is getting to be close to two years castrated. I did not notice any difference from the drug and the real thing. Every one is different.

For me things are a bit diffrent and yes I now have hot flashes.When I was on depo provera i didnt but yes everyone is diffrent.I had some changes when all the testosterone was out of my system and decided to take some permarin to off set this and it has helped.For me I know I need some hormones but again that might be just how I am.Read all you can about this befor you decide anything as it is a change in your body you need to understand.It is not as easy for some and better for others but do know what to excpect befor you act.

I feel that data regarding this subject is incomplete. I'd be interested to read of anyone's experience with differing side effects from surgical versus chemical castration. From what I've read so far from the archive and from askapatient.com it seems to me that the chemical route causes more instances of joint/back pain, which is what I'm primarily interested in.

It's well known that arthritis pain is one of the castration side effects wether it is chemical or physical. Castrated men tend to become obese, obesity and arthritis are inflammation. Muscular men who get castrated seem to suffer more from arthritis pain as they lose theirs muscles. Stress and depression will also increase arthritis pain. Chemical castration may cause liver and kidney problems if used over a long period of time. Chemical is good as a drive test for 6 months. After 1-2 years, chances are that you'll no longer produce natural testosterone. If you still can produce testosterone, you may consider physical castration.

It is important that you take care of your health right from the start and not lose control. You must remain fit and avoid all food that are inflammatory (Eggs, dairy products, red meat, flour, sugar, avoid industrial and fast food...) and eat more fruits and vegetables. All anti oxidants are good anti inflammatory. You can find them in colorful fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices. Eggs with Omega 3, olive oil, whole grain bread, fish and chicken are good. Alcohol is good in small quantity, choose red over white wine. Aerobic exercises are good. The harder you'll work the more pain you're going to have. No one said it was easy to live w/o T but it's possible. Remember a castrated man is a diminished man, all must adjust.

Search the web for Mediterranean, anti inflammatory and anti oestrogen diets. They are all alike, you don't need to eat less you'll only eat better.