So, I got a referral for an Orchi.... :/ can you tell me ALL about it?

[abd789]

Its a big step, but one Ive been dreaming of. But I have alot of questions and hoping the doctor can answer them. And maybe you can tell me your thoughts and exp....

I think Im a bit unique in the fact that I dont feel the need for GRS, not because Im at a stage where Im denying...its just I have a usable "something" that works pretty well.
No one seems to understand me when I discuss it, no one has ever said.... "Oh, I have that too" so Im in the dark and worried about how a Orchi may effect what I already have going on.

My current doc says I can stop spiro and halve my E.... is that normal to half your estradiol after orchi?

Does feminisation "take off" after a orchi, what can i expect? Anything happen that doesnt happen while on e and spiro?

I know I will talk with the urologist, but I hope he will be more open to my unique circumstances and guide me through it... unlike my endo who just says "oh, your normal" when clearly I am not. Do I need to make a video? Yes it irks me.... and I did make a video... lol

I have a great sex drive, and I want to keep that. I dont want to be someone who never wants sex, sex is important to me. Not as a man.... I never do anything down there as a man, but as a female I am hot to trot so to speak and do not want to lose that. I just want to be clear that my sex drive is not a manly one.... and I really do not use the small penis as anything other than a extension to pee standing up, lol

Im sure I will think of more questions

[Sandy]

Rita:

I had an orchi about a year before my SRS.  I was taking an incremental approach to my transition and at the time I wasn't sure I wanted SRS, but wanted a physical and psychological break from my male past.  So I can speak from experience.

Yes, you can completely stop using spiro.  It is an antiandrogen designed to stop the production of testosterone.  No testicals, no testosterone.  You do get some testosterone from your adrenal glands, about ten percent, and having that amount is necessary for good body health.

Also, testosterone is a much stronger sex steroid than estradiol so usually your endocrinologist will recommend a higher dose of estradiol to overcome the testosterone.  With significantly reduced testosterone from the removal of the testicals, then you can reduce the amount of estradiol and still achieve the appropriate level of estradial in your system.

Feminisation is unique for each individual.  So saying that it will "take off" after an orchiectomy is hard to say.

Sex drive is a rather general term.  However, testosterone is a primary component in sexual arousal, so dropping your testosterone level to more feminine levels (yes, all women have a bit of testosterone in them) may result in a significant reduction in the feelings of sexual arousal and the ability to achieve orgasm.  If this is really impactful to your well being, your endocrinologist may recommend a slight increase in testosterone level to improve arousal.

I'd be happy to try to answer any questions you may have. 

-Sandy

[Micki]

May I ask if this influences me having vaginoplasty grs in the near future? I was born with a testicle that is less than average in size and my other testicle never developed more than just fatty tissue the size of a chickpea. However, my scrotum is unusually large and unusually loose. Think unusually large and loose labia and you'll get the idea. I'd luv to get the orchi though im curious to know if this will have an influence on the results of a vaginoplasty grs?

[Beth Andrea]

I had an orchi late last year, sort of a "consolation prize" for chickening out of SRS (anesthesia fears, now addressed and ok).

My Endo didn't cut E in half, but he did suggest it. I told him I had huge anxiety about cutting it so much, so he didn't, but he did reduce it a tiny bit. Funny thing was that I was taking my dose half in the morning and half in the evening, before the orchi I could tell it was time to take my evening dose because I could feel the E getting low. After the Orchi I simply forgot because I did NOT have the "low E" feeling.

The day after the surgery (when most of the discomfort was gone) I thought about having "the boys" gone and...a feeling of great relief and happiness came over me, just as when I first experienced my chest with breasts (even though that was with forms).

Sex drive didn't change, either drive or "performance." Feminization had already happened as far as non-surgical femm'ing is concerned. I still use "it", but not often (just my preference, sex for me is better without penetration).

[Beth Andrea]

May I ask if this influences me having vaginoplasty grs in the near future? I was born with a testicle that is less than average in size and my other testicle never developed more than just fatty tissue the size of a chickpea. However, my scrotum is unusually large and unusually loose. Think unusually large and loose labia and you'll get the idea. I'd luv to get the orchi though im curious to know if this will have an influence on the results of a vaginoplasty grs?

Tell the Orchi Dr you plan to have SRS in the future, so s/he can do the technique for that. There are a few different ways to do an orchi.

The SRS surgeon will use whatever material you have to do that surgery, but if there's excess then they won't just sew it up and have things "flapping in the wind" (even though there are cis*women who do just that, that's what are called "meat curtains").

No offense meant if taken, I've never heard them called anything else.

[Micki]

LOL I'm fine with that cliche, in fact, I already have just that and it hangs down very far! I may have to get an orchi due to my nonfunctioning testicle, and I may consider having the other testicle removed too. My only concern regarding that though is keeping all of my scrotum so they can make use of it for vaginoplasty grs, for depth and maybe outer labia. I'll certainly talk to grs specialists regarding this. I do appreciate the input though of others who have experience in this.

[BeverlyAnn]

Rita, I had an orchi on April 26.  Because of the possibility of GRS in the future, my urologist consulted by phone with Dr. McGinn on incision placement so scar tissue wouldn't be an issue.  You might ask your urologist if he/she is willing to do that if GRS is even remotely possible for you.

[Lady Sarah]

When mine was done, I could pull the scrotum forward, and look at the small sutured cut where the surgeon went in. After time went on, the scrotum no longer exists. It shrank away to nothing. If I ever got where I could afford GRS, I know I would need to have grafts, and I am fine with that. In the interim, there is very little "meat" down there, and the less there is, the better I like it.

[abd789]

Thank you all for your replies!
It all helps in my decision to move forward

Im ok with meat curtains