Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Having an orchiectomy, want to know who decides which hormones i am to take after.
I would prefer estrogen to be prescribed. I am in Canada, so we have coverage for these types of things.


For those who don't know:

Orchiectomy (also named orchidectomy, and sometimes shortened as orchi) is a surgical method of castration in which one or both testicles are removed. The removal of both testicles specifically can be referred to as a bilateral orchiectomy.

There are three main types of orchiectomy: simple, subcapsular, and inguinal. The first two types are usually done under local or epidural anesthesia, and take about 30 minutes to perform. An inguinal orchiectomy is sometimes done under general anesthesia, and takes between 30 minutes and an hour to complete.

That would be your endo - the person who looks after your hormones now. And I'm pretty sure we know what an orchi is..

sorry Kelly. forgot. many people I have talked to have no clue.
currently I don't have an endocrinologist. just my urologist. can I tell him what I want to do. is there more positives to estrogen other than boobs and such that I can point out to him?

Well, unless you are trans, there is no specific medical benefit to estrogen in your case, so a urologist is unlikely to prescribe - what he is likely to suggest is T..

There's a process most places for trans people. You are likely going to need to look in to it..

This is confusing me. Are you getting an Orchie because you are trans or some medical condition? If you are getting one because you are transitioning stop right now. Some SRS surgeons will not perform surgery if you have had an Orchie because it makes it tougher. The amount of skin they have to work with is cut down drastically. Yes, some may do it anyway, but they will have to take a graft from somewhere to do it. This increases infection potential and slows general healing. Have you seen a therapist? There is a proper way to transition and it is the WPATH standards.

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on January 28, 2015, 05:45:16 PM
This is confusing me. Are you getting an Orchie because you are trans or some medical condition? If you are getting one because you are transitioning stop right now. Some SRS surgeons will not perform surgery if you have had an Orchie because it makes it tougher. The amount of skin they have to work with is cut down drastically. Yes, some may do it anyway, but they will have to take a graft from somewhere to do it. This increases infection potential and slows general healing. Have you seen a therapist? There is a proper way to transition and it is the WPATH standards.

Her intro thread says it's due to a botched vasectomy..

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on January 28, 2015, 05:45:16 PM
This is confusing me. Are you getting an Orchie because you are trans or some medical condition? If you are getting one because you are transitioning stop right now. Some SRS surgeons will not perform surgery if you have had an Orchie because it makes it tougher. The amount of skin they have to work with is cut down drastically. Yes, some may do it anyway, but they will have to take a graft from somewhere to do it. This increases infection potential and slows general healing. Have you seen a therapist? There is a proper way to transition and it is the WPATH standards.

I am getting the orchi because they messed up my vasectomy. I do not wish to fully transition. would be happy with what is left after. I have gynocomastia and wish to enhance that. I do not feel that I am ready to fully switch over. I underdress, mainly because I need the bra for support and I work in a factory setting where i'd get beat up if I were to be full on.
would like a more feminine body type. but am still closeted.
my mind is not that of the average male. I love women, breasts, but am very affeminate. I have tried for years to be macho to fit in. I don't fit. the orchi will help to align mind and body.

Your body needs either testosterone or estrogen, otherwise you will more than likely develop osteoporsis.   Having no sex hormone is bad.

Quote from: Jill F on January 28, 2015, 07:05:01 PM
Your body needs either testosterone or estrogen, otherwise you will more than likely develop osteoporsis.   Having no sex hormone is bad. M'kay?

Fixed that for ya!  :laugh:

I would prefer estrogen. hopefully he will prescribe. in Canada there seems to be a bit more relaxed attitude because of our healthcare system. I hope that will help me get the estrogen






No Dosages and such please

We do not support or condone self medding here, particularly not when you live in a country with a supportive health system.. Play by the book, or you could well end up dead  - or worse.

Quote from: kelly_aus on January 28, 2015, 07:20:12 PM
We do not support or condone self medding here, particularly not when you live in a country with a supportive health system.. Play by the book, or you could well end up dead  - or worse.

Like in bed with Sally Kern?

Quote from: Jill F on January 28, 2015, 07:31:44 PM
Like in bed with Sally Kern?

I was more thinking stroke.. DVT leading to amputation.. You know, the fun stuff..

Quote from: kelly_aus on January 28, 2015, 07:37:01 PM
I was more thinking stroke.. DVT leading to amputation.. You know, the fun stuff..

Yes folks, serious topics need serious replies.

Quote from: kelly_aus on January 28, 2015, 05:54:44 PM
Her intro thread says it's due to a botched vasectomy..

Sorry Kelly, I missed that. Still even if it was a botched vasectomy if different hormones are wanted this person will still have to follow WPATH Standards. :)

If the Dr prescribes T you can tell them you will refuse to take it.  At that point they may offer E instead since it is medically irresponsible to let you go without.

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on January 28, 2015, 05:45:16 PM
Some SRS surgeons will not perform surgery if you have had an Orchie

Reference please?  I've been over most of the surgeon's sites and I've yet to see one that refuses.  And most of the objection I've seen is that the money would be better spent on GCS.

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on January 28, 2015, 05:45:16 PM
This is confusing me. Are you getting an Orchie because you are trans or some medical condition? If you are getting one because you are transitioning stop right now. Some SRS surgeons will not perform surgery if you have had an Orchie because it makes it tougher. The amount of skin they have to work with is cut down drastically. Yes, some may do it anyway, but they will have to take a graft from somewhere to do it. This increases infection potential and slows general healing. Have you seen a therapist? There is a proper way to transition and it is the WPATH standards.

Ditto,  Im  no  doctor,  but  I  would  urge  caution,  seek  a  counsler  before  you  start  anything,  and  get  on  board  with  someone  that  knows  the  entire  process. if  its  just  a  botched  vasectomy,  go  get  it  redone.     the  orchi  has  long  been  frowned  upon  by  the  end  game  doctors,  because  it  robs  them  of  the  nessessary  skin  to  do  a  good  job. its also  gonna zap  your  hormones,  so  forget  sex  if  you  go  that  route.     get  pro  advise,  not  chat  forum  answers.  run  from a  doctor  that  will  just  '  do  what  you  want'  without  being  involved  with  a  transition  team  of  doctors. 

Quote from: lilredneckgirl on January 29, 2015, 05:50:07 PM
Ditto,  Im  no  doctor,  but  I  would  urge  caution,  seek  a  counsler  before  you  start  anything,  and  get  on  board  with  someone  that  knows  the  entire  process. if  its  just  a  botched  vasectomy,  go  get  it  redone.     the  orchi  has  long  been  frowned  upon  by  the  end  game  doctors,  because  it  robs  them  of  the  nessessary  skin  to  do  a  good  job. its also  gonna zap  your  hormones,  so  forget  sex  if  you  go  that  route.     get  pro  advise,  not  chat  forum  answers.  run  from a  doctor  that  will  just  '  do  what  you  want'  without  being  involved  with  a  transition  team  of  doctors.

I should explain more...the botched vasectomy has rendered me almost completely impotent. major E.D. I feel mentally separate from my testicles. I suffer severe pain since vasectomy, they did something very wrong, don't know what they cut, but feels like my grapes are being squeezed to make wine. My urologist checked me out and agreed an orchi should be done.
I do not like my testicles, I feel a detachment towards them. they are not part of me in my mind. the dr agreed I need to get mind and body to match.

I underdress and do not feel as male. I associate more outside the standard male/female world. I just want to be comfortable with myself. I hope this surgery and any others I may have will help me.

Sounds like you are another one of the non-binary peeps, aka a member of the awesome people's club. Just tell a psych about that detachment and you won't have any problem getting on e.

Best of luck :)

i  stand  firm  on  the  first  step  being  get  into  see  a  counsler.    jump  a  hoop  or  two  and  get  your  hormones in  order  before  you  cut  away.
  then,  before  letting  anyone  cut  you,  at  least  speak  to  a grs / srs  surgeon. 
  decisions you  make  now,  will  affect  you  for  the  rest  of  your  life.
  if  it  was  a  botched  vasectomey,  why not  have  them  go back  in  a  see  what  the  heck  is  wrong?  simple  enough  to  do,  not  like  its  open  heart  or  brain  surgery.
  I  cant  help  but to  get  the  feeling  either  you  are  pushing  them  for  the  orchi,  or  they  are just  making  poor  decisions  as  medical  doctors.   " just  cut  them  off"  is  not  a  typical  medical  solution.......... 

Quote from: lilredneckgirl on January 30, 2015, 06:48:00 PM
i  stand  firm  on  the  first  step  being  get  into  see  a  counsler.    jump  a  hoop  or  two  and  get  your  hormones in  order  before  you  cut  away.
  then,  before  letting  anyone  cut  you,  at  least  speak  to  a grs / srs  surgeon. 
  decisions you  make  now,  will  affect  you  for  the  rest  of  your  life.
  if  it  was  a  botched  vasectomey,  why not  have  them  go back  in  a  see  what  the  heck  is  wrong?  simple  enough  to  do,  not  like  its  open  heart  or  brain  surgery.
  I  cant  help  but to  get  the  feeling  either  you  are  pushing  them  for  the  orchi,  or  they  are just  making  poor  decisions  as  medical  doctors.   " just  cut  them  off"  is  not  a  typical  medical  solution..........

I totally agree with going to a proper counselor instead and following the WPATH standards than skipping g steps,  I understand of informed consent, but still believe I following the steps.  But on another note about orchiectomy (orchi)  I had a friend who had a vasectomy, because he didn't want children,  but something also went wrong and left him in severe pain,  and essentially had killed his testes entirely he explained it to me as the reason he was in pain was because his testes were dying/were dead and there wasn't a way to save them.  This person was not trans and didn't know about me but was a very close friend and pretty much talked to me about everything and we were pretty much there for each other's emotional troubles at times.  He really didn't want to lose them but more than one Dr had gave him the bad news,  so inevitably he had to go on HRT (testosterone)

Just a comment. A vasectomy is pretty easy surgery. I'm concerned that men are being mutilated by such a basic procedure.

It seems at odds with audits  I have seen on medical units.

Just wondering if other factors are in play.

Quote from: calico on January 31, 2015, 09:03:14 AM
I totally agree with going to a proper counselor instead and following the WPATH standards than skipping g steps,  I understand of informed consent, but still believe I following the steps.  But on another note about orchiectomy (orchi)  I had a friend who had a vasectomy, because he didn't want children,  but something also went wrong and left him in severe pain,  and essentially had killed his testes entirely he explained it to me as the reason he was in pain was because his testes were dying/were dead and there wasn't a way to save them.  This person was not trans and didn't know about me but was a very close friend and pretty much talked to me about everything and we were pretty much there for each other's emotional troubles at times.  He really didn't want to lose them but more than one Dr had gave him the bad news,  so inevitably he had to go on HRT (testosterone)

that's pretty much my story in a "Nut"shell. (sorry, have to joke. eases my tension over my troubles) the dr agreed that after examining me, and seeing the pain I am constantly in...it is the best course of action. I signed a letter of consent confirming I understand what is to be done. gave me a pile of literature to go over. had a battery of tests done for levels and such. I may be shortening shaving down all the info so i'm not typing for days as to what is going to happen to me. but I feel this is best for me. the dr agrees. I understand where everyone here is coming from. there are steps to take and laws and such...But in the end if I can do this and be the person I want to be (comfortable with myself) so I can be a father, a GOOD FATHER, to my son. I'm gonna do it.
I never thought I would be where I am now or where i'm going to be. but onward and upward. new me, here I come.

Regardless of which way a person is going, hormones should be started by an endocrinologist. Once levels have evened out and there are no problems, you can switch to a regular physician. Having been to several Dr.s over the years, for issues both related and unrelated to transitioning, there are some Dr.s who either don't understand what a transgender is, aren't sure of how to treat one or have a big problem with transgenders. I actually had the Dr. who did my OVH tell me that he didn't think surgery was the answer for a mental illness, but the hospital was making him do it.

At any rate, its best to start with someone who is familiar with hormone replacement and levels that are appropriate for the patient's age. Hormones go down as a person ages, and keeping them within the norm of what a "normal" person at a certain age is helps make hormone related diseases in check.

sam1234

Having had an orchie myself I can testify that you will need some sex hormone prescribing. In view of the fact that you're not currently transitioning you will in all likelihood be prescribed Testosterone unless you find a gender psychiatrist who is willing to work with you and organise some E. The surgeon is only interested in doing a successful operation after which he won't be monitoring your hormones unless asked to.

No matter what medical procedures you undertake you won't be outed so you can be assured that if you see a psyche it will not mean you are going to be labelled as anything different than you are now. Definitely don't consider self medication as that is highly dangerous and not certain you will get any better results than what you have now as the pain currently felt isn't anything like the side effects of self medicating.

I wish you luck and hope you're pain free soon

Hugs

Sorcha  ;D

Quote from: kelly_aus on January 28, 2015, 05:05:53 PM
That would be your endo - the person who looks after your hormones now. And I'm pretty sure we know what an orchi is..

And a link to Wiki just in case --

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchiectomy#Inguinal_orchiectomy

Not interested here in vaginoplasty. Comfortable being me, authentic, integrated. But then I'm 67 and have been me a long time, not willing to change my ID.

Looking at Finasteride to address body hair issues. So entirely tired shaving nose to toes every day or looking scruffy and to me threatening. (Childhood sexual abuse by a male. My body reminds me of my abuser.)

Just wanting to step off the testosterone train, the bucking horse. Not sexually active (with others) and so those sorts of functions are entirely moot. I just want to be with my sisters instead of being a a "stalker" (male sexuality seems intrusive/invasive to me)

Finasteride is an anti-androgen, and I've read up. My experience w/ tweaking hormones is that it gets complicated and out of balance. Seems much more pragmatic to simply remove the glands producing the testosterone.

Not looking to "pass" as female so much as simply becoming entirely comfortable with the concept of being "middle people" -- part of both but not exclusively male/female (binary). I do that now, no hormones, no meds, no surgery.

Have arranged for the VA to take care of all this, service connected 100% for everything. No "cosmetic" surgery, but orchi and electrolysis on the face are covered, meds, etc.

I feel good! Was thinking about moving my F wardrobe to the closet in the guest bedroom down stairs. But then realized that I need to move the M stuff I don't wear downstairs, or Goodwill . . . LMAO

Authenticity, Integrity, Me -- not a disguise.