the cognitive effects of dramatic testosterone reduction/elimination

[iamdaniel (imported)]

I've read that in some studies subtle deficits in visual-spatial reasoning in males undergoing hormone therapy have been observed. I think other cognitive deficits have been observed. I'm very concerned about this. I'm studying to become an actuary, which requires doing very high level mathematics 40-50 hours a week non-stop. Does anyone here, transgender, eunuch, or otherwise, have any personal experience with this? is becoming a eunuch going to make me bad at math?

[Cainanite (imported)]

As I understand it, lowered testosterone levels cause a lack of sustained focus, not a drop in mathematical skill. I have this problem, my mind tends to wander around more than I like. As I have always lived with this, I cannot tell you if there is a significant change in before and after.

I would hazard an educated guess on the subject, that your mileage will vary. A lot of people with high levels of testosterone can't focus, but for an entirely different reason. I honestly doubt your work life will be effected at all.

The greater concern should be shifts in mood, not cognitive ability. Mood shifts too, vary from person to person. Some people are greatly affected, some not at all. A trial period is probably best, but it will take a while before your body and mind become adjusted to the new hormone levels. Take it slow. Not everybody is the same.

[transward (imported)]

I've read that in some studies subtle deficits in visual-spatial reasoning in males undergoing hormone therapy have been observed. I think other cognitive deficits have been observed. I'm very concerned about this. I'm studying to become an actuary, which requires doing very high level mathematics 40-50 hours a week non-stop. Does anyone here, transgender, eunuch, or otherwise, have any personal experience with this? is becoming a eunuch going to make me bad at math?

Here in Seattle we have a sizeable number of post op trans women in the high tech industries, mostly software, who continue to function at a high mathematic and logical level after castration and SRS. Biggest thing they complain of is that they seem to have gone from team leader to the one who gets the coffee. Peoples perceptions change more than performance.

Transward

[JesusA (imported)]

Of potential interest to those concerned about cognitive changes with lowered testosterone, I would strongly recommend the book by James Dabbs (2000) [see the Bibliography (http://www.eunuch.org/forums/showthread ... bliography) for full publication details], which has the subtitle “Testosterone and Behavior.”

Dabbs covers a great many topics in his 284 pages, but of definite interest to this thread is his reporting of two studies on the link between T level and occupational success. In general, he writes, “higher testosterone correlates with lower status….”

In one study of T level and rank in the U.S. Army, the higher the rank, the lower the testosterone. Generals had the lowest testosterone of all.

In another study of T level and occupation (divided by U.S. Census Bureau categories), other than for full-time farmers who rank lowest of all, a similar pattern was found. The occupational categories, ranked from LOWEST testosterone levels to highest are:

Professional and Managerial

Technical, Clerical and Sales

Service workers

Machine operators and Laborers

Precision production and Repair

The Unemployed

If we consider history, there is reason why so many government administrators, high church officials, and military commanders were eunuchs over a 4,000 year sweep of Eurasian history.

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