Priorities, Motivations, and Outlook after Testosterone Reduction

[Beau Geste (imported)]

Those who have had their testosterone production reduced, either by surgery, by pharmaceutical means, or by the vagaries of nature, clearly view the day they had their surgery, the day they started taking Androcur or some other hormone-reducing drug, or, perhaps, the day they realized their testosterone level had dropped below normal, as a dividing line in their lives, as significant as a wedding day, a graduation day, or a retirement day. And the significance of that dividing line seems to be recognized as distinctly by those who have had testosterone reduction for many years, as by those whose testosterone levels have been lowered for only a short period. So I thought it might be appropriate to attempt to get some idea of the nature of the differences in a range of day to day activities, as well as in future plans, which have been experienced by those who have had the hormone reduction. I would guess that this applies both to those who are taking HRT and to those who aren't, since the dosage of testosterone or estrogen, in many cases, produces a T-level lower than that which the person originally had.

There seems to be a change to somewhat different priorities, which some individuals have experienced, after reduction in the hormone. Obviously, with the sex urge reduced or, in some cases, eliminated, activities related to sex must be less important. But some psychological studies suggest that, when one activity on which someone has focused is abandoned, the individual tends to find another activity for which he develops a similar interest and enthusiasm (or, in some cases, obsession). Do people find that this happens when the sex drive is reduced? And is there less emphasis on the sorts of interactions which might lead to the development of close relationships with others?

I also get the impression that, while there may or may not be a "eunuch calm," those whose testosterone reduction has been reduced, appear to take a no-nonsense look at their circumstances, and to do some reordering in their activities and in their lifestyle afterward, perhaps to stabilize their situations. I wonder if this has to do with the lower hormone levels, or simply with the fact that a perceived problem has been resolved, and the person can therefore go one to deal with other matters. I would guess that this is associated with a shift in priorities.

Also, someone's outlook--that is to say, his perception of future possibilities and the foundation on which he plans for the future, must be different after a change like that which is produced when hormone levels are altered. I think some people have commented that they see more options after having their surgeries, or after they go on a regimen of Androcur or a drug with similar effects. Of course, it's sometimes difficult to reproduce in your mind, the way you thought about things at an earlier period, but I would guess that some people have noticed a distinct difference and can define what it is.

There do seem to be some individuals who don't feel that the basic characteristics of their way of thinking, of carrying out their day to day activities, or of looking at the future have changed, but I have to think that most people do see clear differences in the way they are, compared to the way they were.