Should I have gotten my testicles removed first?

[Annaiyah]

So about a week or so ago, I happen to stumble across this booklet that served as a guide for transgirls and help with their transition. From what I read in it, I've learned that it's best to get your testicles removed as early as you can because it will help with HRT as there is nothing left to produce anymore testosterone. Has anyone else followed this advice?

I'm glad I have this useful piece of information. I wanted to undergo all my surgeries and take care of all government and legal gender change paperwork under one year if possible. I've been on hrt for since late April and still look male except these disc-like knots in my breasts that are starting to develop. I wanted as much breast as possible because I'm not getting implants.

[Jessica Merriman]

If you are getting SRS leave them. They keep the skin stretched so the surgeon has more to work with. 

[VivianK]

It depends on whether you plan to undergo GRS.  If not, go ahead and get the orchi out of the way as soon as you'd like.  Apparently, the scrotal tissue available for use during GRS is significantly reduced if you have an orchi early on.  There are stretching exercises you can do daily to prevent shrinking of the tissue, but I hear the effectiveness of those is one of the many "YMMV" thing we have to gamble on, and it seems many if not most girls planning on getting the "whole package" aren't too turned on by the idea of manhandling themselves on a daily basis.  If you're still undecided about GRS, it certainly isn't going to hurt anything to just stick with anti-androgens until you've made up your mind.

[Jill F]

My orchi was done by a noted SRS surgeon.  I stretch it out in the shower daily, and he said he wasn't worried about depth.  Some surgeons' techniques need all they can to work with, and others won't even touch you if you've had an orchi. 

[JessicaH]

Getting an orchie MAY also satisfy your legal requirement (if needed) to get new ID, Birth Cert., etc.  Depends on the law of your area and the wording your surgeon uses in his letter.

[Annaiyah]

I am, undergoing srs. In this case i might as well do the whole srs early.

[mynees]

You are so early in the process, yet you want everything dona early and NOW... This is a completely common thing among many trans people who had just barely started. After all that time waiting and longing undecided, you're now on your own path finally and everything, every month goes past sooooo slowly, that the most annoying thing is the time and wait (because you want changes, and I mean like right now!! you've been waiting so long for this, you know). However, transition is not a race, and the first one at the end is not a winner. No one gets a trophy for going full-time two months before even starting hormones, or for having a SRS in Thailand before even having first real-life-experience. The only thing really most important here is how you feel, and the second most important thing is not to rush anything, but let it come naturally when the time is right. Rushing into anything like orchiectomy or SRS just for the sake of it, and not like because of some medical reason, is stupid. If your testosterone is blocked, and your DHT is blocked, your physical development will be no different than it would be after having orchie or SRS. However, if you're taking spironolactone (because that's what a lot of people take for their antiandrogen) instead of some proper testosterone blocker, then everything might take a little longer and slower. It might work sufficiently if you're at a little older age, starting around 50, or something. However if you're in your late teens, or 20s, you might want to take something stronger, or have an orchie for that sake. Just don't have SRS just yet because of this, or before living a year, or better 2 or 3 full-time before taking such a big step in your life. Better be late than sorry.

[Jill F]

You are so early in the process, yet you want everything dona early and NOW... This is a completely common thing among many trans people who had just barely started. After all that time waiting and longing undecided, you're now on your own path finally and everything, every month goes past sooooo slowly, that the most annoying thing is the time and wait (because you want changes, and I mean like right now!! you've been waiting so long for this, you know). However, transition is not a race, and the first one at the end is not a winner. No one gets a trophy for going full-time two months before even starting hormones, or for having a SRS in Thailand before even having first real-life-experience. The only thing really most important here is how you feel, and the second most important thing is not to rush anything, but let it come naturally when the time is right. Rushing into anything like orchiectomy or SRS just for the sake of it, and not like because of some medical reason, is stupid. If your testosterone is blocked, and your DHT is blocked, your physical development will be no different than it would be after having orchie or SRS. However, if you're taking spironolactone (because that's what a lot of people take for their antiandrogen) instead of some proper testosterone blocker, then everything might take a little longer and slower. It might work sufficiently if you're at a little older age, starting around 50, or something. However if you're in your late teens, or 20s, you might want to take something stronger, or have an orchie for that sake. Just don't have SRS just yet because of this, or before living a year, or better 2 or 3 full-time before taking such a big step in your life. Better be late than sorry.

Word!

[Ellesmira the Duck]

Slightly off topic but I wanted to know more about what mynees said in regard to spiro not being as effective. Its what im on and seemed to be the most common. Are there other more effective options?

[elize]

I am getting Orchiectomy before GRS.
I want to do it in stages.
I need time to get used to functioning at each step
step 1 HRT
step 2 Orchiectomy
step 3 GRS

[mynees]

Reply to Ellesmira... Spiro is not meant to be used as testosterone blocker, but mostly antihypertensive and diuretic. Having anti-androgen properties is just one of its side effects, among many other (like drought, I really hated that and everything related). If spironolactone works well for you, and your blood tests show it is sufficient at doing its job, and you can handle all the nasty side effects, than it just might be a perfect testosterone blocker for you. I for example feel a looooooot better since I switched from spiro to cyproterone acetate (Androcur). And there are more other, more effective options, which are primarily anti-androgens, some like Androcur a little more expensive, and some other much more expensive. By far the best thing about spiro is it's dirt cheap and available everywhere. In regards to changes, many people who used spiro reported about more changes and development happening after orchiectomy or SRS.. Taking normal dose of Androcur (or any other powerful TBlocker) basically does the same as orchie or SRS in relation to testosterone factory. Taking dutasteride along it also doesn't do any bad, rather only good at least as hair goes.

[Ellesmira the Duck]

Thanks for the information mynees. So far Spiro seems to be working for me and I haven't noticed and major side effects yet. But its nice to know what the other options are.

[Annaiyah]

You are so early in the process, yet you want everything dona early and NOW... This is a completely common thing among many trans people who had just barely started. After all that time waiting and longing undecided, you're now on your own path finally and everything, every month goes past sooooo slowly, that the most annoying thing is the time and wait (because you want changes, and I mean like right now!! you've been waiting so long for this, you know). However, transition is not a race, and the first one at the end is not a winner. No one gets a trophy for going full-time two months before even starting hormones, or for having a SRS in Thailand before even having first real-life-experience. The only thing really most important here is how you feel, and the second most important thing is not to rush anything, but let it come naturally when the time is right. Rushing into anything like orchiectomy or SRS just for the sake of it, and not like because of some medical reason, is stupid. If your testosterone is blocked, and your DHT is blocked, your physical development will be no different than it would be after having orchie or SRS. However, if you're taking spironolactone (because that's what a lot of people take for their antiandrogen) instead of some proper testosterone blocker, then everything might take a little longer and slower. It might work sufficiently if you're at a little older age, starting around 50, or something. However if you're in your late teens, or 20s, you might want to take something stronger, or have an orchie for that sake. Just don't have SRS just yet because of this, or before living a year, or better 2 or 3 full-time before taking such a big step in your life. Better be late than sorry.

Umm excuse me! 

I don't know if our not you actually took the time to read my post but I'm not racing! I'm not looking for a reward after transitioning! I don't know where you even got such an idea but you could not be more wrong! And I'm not doing srs or orchie just for the hell of it! It's so my testosterone could stop producing!

Just a word of advice for you, Myness, how about pay attention to what someone is saying before you go on so ridiculous rant saying likewise ridiculous things because you'll end up looking very stupid and pissing someone off.

[Joanna Dark]

I've been on regular HRT for a year. Even took two months off or so or very low dose like the first six months, and my testes have vanished. It worries me cause I need SRS and my BF had a huge penis. I'm really serious the thing is 9.5 inches long and he is surprised he can have sex with me. But I can take alot lol

Seriously, has this happened to anyone else? Where are my testicles? I don't care, just worried about SRS. Anyone?? I have literally felt for them and there is nothing. I could wear a bikini and no would know.

[RachaelAnne]

I'm with Elize on this...

Currently I'm planning to start hrt then after 12 months have an orchiectomy.  In my case I suffer from chronic orchalgia (testicle pain) as 2 different urologists have diagnosed.  This helps to drive my disphoria off the chart all the time.  I can't sleep at night and just want to cry, I've tried almost everything to try to lessen the pain and have not found anything that works yet.

Once those things are gone them I can focus on my continued journey forward to rle and full grs.

[Annaiyah]

I've been on regular HRT for a year. Even took two months off or so or very low dose like the first six months, and my testes have vanished. It worries me cause I need SRS and my BF had a huge penis. I'm really serious the thing is 9.5 inches long and he is surprised he can have sex with me. But I can take alot lol

Seriously, has this happened to anyone else? Where are my testicles? I don't care, just worried about SRS. Anyone?? I have literally felt for them and there is nothing. I could wear a bikini and no would know.

So wait. Can you have SRS or can't you? It sounds to me like you still can and frankly i hope my genitalia do that as well