I am a non-TS, non-fetishist male who has been considering orchiectomy for some time, for a variety of personal reasons. Unfortunately, I've found it very difficult to get any good information on this topic.

I do know a bit about the positive effects of castration, but I don't know much about the "negative" side effects (from my perspective, anyway). I've heard of things such as redistribution of fat, weakening of bones, softening of facial features, etc. But I'm not sure which of these are true, or if there are ways to treat them.

If anyone has had this procedure done and can talk about the effects they have experienced (and what they have done about them, if anything), please post and let me know. I'm sure that others in the community would find this information useful as well.

Thank you!

-P

Pepe Maran (imported) wrote: Wed Aug 13, 2003 2:14 pm I am a non-TS, non-fetishist male who has been considering orchiectomy for some time, for a variety of personal reasons. Unfortunately, I've found it very difficult to get any good information on this topic.

I do know a bit about the positive effects of castration, but I don't know much about the "negative" side effects (from my perspective, anyway). I've heard of things such as redistribution of fat, weakening of bones, softening of facial features, etc. But I'm not sure which of these are true, or if there are ways to treat them.

If anyone has had this procedure done and can talk about the effects they have experienced (and what they have done about them, if anything), please post and let me know. I'm sure that others in the community would find this information useful as well.

Thank you!

-P

A lot to comment on. To keep it short, let's start with the effects of castration, both the good and the bad. After reading it, ask me some more questions. I am a Eunuch, not on testosterone HRT, and we have quite a few others here who are also real eunuchs.

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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, aggression, and ambition. In the words of Dr. Spector, “either case of TS or eunuch, a deep, calm serenity develops which, from then on, makes life far more worthwhile.” This has happened to me, but again, YMWV. This is less likely to happen to non-elective eunuchs.

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 slows down or stops. 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 may shrink.

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

POSSIBLE moodiness and tearfulness. Do not be surprised if you start crying far more frequently over what may seem to be trivial matters.

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 should take at least 1,500 MG of calcium and 400 IU of Vitamin A 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.

Thanks, Andrew. It's good to finally have a place to ask these questions.

Here's a couple of others...

Do some of the side effects vary by age? I'm relatively young (late 20s), so I'd be living with the osteoporosis, for example, a lot longer than someone who has the procedure done at an older age. Does this or other effects gradually get worse or more difficult to control as time goes on? Do bones gradually become more brittle no matter what you do, or does the calcium keep them at normal levels indefinitely?

Also, I've heard about doctors who do this surgery, but are they relatively understanding about personal reasons for wanting to have an orchiectomy? Or will they only perform the procedure in certain cases (eg. for a transexual or someone with cancer)?

I'm sure I'll have more questions, but these were a couple big ones!

Thanks again,

-P

Pepe Maran (imported) wrote: Thu Aug 14, 2003 11:51 am Thanks, Andrew. It's good to finally have a place to ask these questions.

Also, I've heard about doctors who do this surgery, but are they relatively understanding about personal reasons for wanting to have an orchiectomy? Or will they only perform the procedure in certain cases (eg. for a transexual or someone with cancer)?

At the moment, only Dr. Kimmel, in Philadelphia, will do a legal, safe castration more or less for the asking, no therapist letters required. Many of us have used Dr. Kimmel, and before him Dr. Spector, for this procedure. See the phone numbers at the bottom of my signature. Cost is about $2,000.

Pepe Maran (imported) wrote: Thu Aug 14, 2003 11:51 am Thanks, Andrew. It's good to finally have a place to ask these questions.

Here's a couple of others...

Do some of the side effects vary by age? I'm relatively young (late 20s), so I'd be living with the osteoporosis, for example, a lot longer than someone who has the procedure done at an older age. Does this or other effects gradually get worse or more difficult to control as time goes on? Do bones gradually become more brittle no matter what you do, or does the calcium keep them at normal levels indefinitely?

Yes, side effects DO vary with age. As a younger Eunuch, you may still be able to have quite an active sex life, although if you would rather ignore sex altogether, you could probably do so with no discomfort. Castration places you "in control" of your sexuality.

But osteoporosis WILL be a major worry. Your chances of getting this disease will be greater if you are castrated before about age 40. This is because the body builds up bone density from puberty until age 40, when it starts a slow decline. Castration can speed up this decline.

Diet and exercise will help, and we do have drugs such as Fosomax to help out. But there are NO guarantees. Osteoporosis is, or should be, the #1 concern of those who decide to become real eunuchs. Sorry, there are no pat answers for this.

Pepe Maran (imported) wrote: Thu Aug 14, 2003 11:51 am Also, I've heard about doctors who do this surgery, but are they relatively understanding about personal reasons for wanting to have an orchiectomy? Or will they only perform the procedure in certain cases (eg. for a transexual or someone with cancer)?

Other than Dr. Kimmell, don't even ask. You say anything about it to your own doctor, and he'll start talking Prozac, shrinks, pain pills and hot baths. If that.

A few years ago, as Bboy, Talula and Gem can attest to, and probably IE remembers too, I saw NINE (9) different doctors about chronic testicular pain, swelling, tenderness and all of the symptoms of eunuchoidism.

You know how many of them gave damn, one way or another?

ONE. (1)

It was #9, and a several hundreds of dollars later (I DID have medical coverage at the time, but they decided to stop covering THAT issue after so long!) I was still left with almost no resolution. #9 DID do a sonagram, decided that everything had blood flow, and that a good round of HRT was in order. My insurance company refused to pay for it, too. Said it was an OPTIONAL treatment.

BOY was that HRT a big mistake! Never do that again.

It did help with some of the pain, though. Not all of it, but a great deal of it. Even after I stopped taking it, the residual pain I was left with was at least managable.

However, if you do find someone othe than Kimmell who is willing to listen to you, don't hesitate to share your findings with us.

After all, a doctor who actually cares more about the patient than the next new Lexus he needs is a very rare thing.

OH and by the way, if there are any doctors reading this board, you better make sure "I" don't find out about you because I'm sure you don't want to hear from ME.

Thanks again for all the information.

In addition to the weight gain, I've read about a "softening" of the facial features of a eunuch. Would I still look like myself after an orchiectomy, or would my facial features change and feminize? (not a desirable effect, from my perspective)

Also, I've seen people on these boards talking about chemical castration. In a few places, they've been advised to take these medications in order to try out the effects of real castration, before making the irreversible leap. How difficult is it to get a prescription for these medications, and how would one do that? Also, do the medications that lead to chemical castration cause *all* the same effects as real orchiectomy, or do they not give a completely realistic preview?

-P

Pepe Maran (imported) wrote: Sun Aug 17, 2003 12:16 pm Thanks again for all the information.

In addition to the weight gain, I've read about a "softening" of the facial features of a eunuch. Would I still look like myself after an orchiectomy, or would my facial features change and feminize? (not a desirable effect, from my perspective)

YMWV = Your Milage Will Vary. There are no pat answers as to how much, OR HOW LITTLE, your face may change and become softer. That is the bad news.

Now the good news. So what? As Sherlock Holmes pointed out most people see but they do not observe. Most people will not notice any changes in your face. The few that do might put it down to ageing. They would have to be both observant and knowledgable to realize that your body is hypogonadal.