Has MTF HRT caused any significant shrinkage of the "male parts" for you?

If yes, did that cause you any issues with having enough tissue for use for gender conforming surgery?  That is, is having "more" better for future surgery results or dilation?  I have not discussed this with a surgeon.

Yes, shrinkage is setting in. It's like it's un-circumcising itself. I usually have to unfurl things before I pee.

When I had my orchiectomy I asked Dr Oates about the potential downside to an orchiectomy in regards to future vaginoplasty (more as an information gathering exercise for the community; I didn't and still don't want to proceed any further than the orchiectomy) and he responded that the tissues down there are extremely elastic and would not pose any issues with future surgeries.

Hugs, Devlyn

My male member has shrunk to an inch or less. I was concerned about the same thing but my surgeon assured me there is plenty of skin for the full depth procedure.

yeah, pretty much an innie. For the most part, nothing shows on the outside of the body.

As for elasticity, yes, the skin is still viable for surgery. I have a prep note for surgery center that recommends moisturizing and stretching massage to help it be retained. From personal experience, I can tell you that you can get stretch marks, with the accompanying sore and pain before. It's no fun, so, keep things fresh down there.

The bigger I got on top the smaller t got down below. It is impossible to use a urinal been so for years.

With nothing to see below I can wear any female clothes and it has been the only thing that has kept me sane while I wait for the op. Not a clue how much is available for the surgery, it will be what it is. And i am not holding my breath for it to ever happen

Jessica

Same for me. Shrinkage, yes. I've been sitting to pee for decades due to fused vertebrae in my neck. I have a hard time looking down. I have often wondered if there would be enough, but until a surgeon tells me otherwise, I'll go with whatever I can. Hopefully, it will be sometime in this lifetime.

Quote from: LoriDee on May 14, 2024, 09:03:50 AMHopefully, it will be sometime in this lifetime.

I currently expecting it in my next lifetime assuming I come back wrong again lol

I was never very big but now I think I qualify as having a micro penis. I lost both length and girth. It feels like my urethra has shrunk as well, I am unable to stand to urinate anymore.

I have to admit that there has been noticeable shrinkage, however I started out with a significant size.  MFT HRT for me caused shrinkage and less "fluid" production. Reducing MFT HRT for a prolonged amount of time did recover some of what was diminished.  Resuming the full MTF HRT resulted in losing what was recovered. To say any more details would be more appropriate for a sexuality forum topic, not here, and this is a private matter regardless!

I am having nagging thoughts and concerns. As much as I would love for things to shrink downstairs, I fear the same like most that it won't be enough to have future surgeries.

If it shrank so much that it looks like a enlarged part of the female anatomy I would be ecstatic. Lol. But again I fear that being on HRT and or having an orchiectomy could cause potential future problems with trying to get a full functional vagina.

I know these are probably more myths than real concerns (even tho I know it could happen I hate to use the word myth since it's not and it's not the right word to describe it), but especially when most doctors require the individual to be living full time as a woman before they perform these surgeries, which means that could have some extensive time for things to shrink.

But who knows maybe I'll be completely satisfied with an orchiectomy and a "innie" instead of an "outtie" Lol only time will tell.

I had similar concerns. After four+ years on HRT, I have shrunk enough in all areas so that I couldn't "tuck" if I wanted to. From my research, the shaft skin is very elastic, so that is not a problem. Any additional skin needed would be taken from the scrotum. I ruled out an orchi because I would want the excess skin gone too, but I might need it later. If all else fails and there just isn't enough skin, they can do a skin graft, taking skin from your hip to make up any difference.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. The surgeons who do these surgeries know what they need. Once they do an exam, they can plan how they will do it. Until you are actually sitting down with a surgeon there is no point in worrying about it.

It is generally assumed that estradiol is directly responsible for shrinking genitals in MTF people, but I have learned that it is actually lowered testosterone which causes this. I was diagnosed with Hypogonadism more than a decade prior to commencing HRT, and I suffered significant atrophy. For many years prior to HRT, I had Phimosis, where the foreskin shrinks so much as to prevent urination without pain and creating a risk of infection. My genitals had receded into my body, leaving an ugly mess of skin, so while it looked good in panties and swimwear, not so good bare, and a source of some discomfort.

When I went for my consult for GRS, my surgeon said he needed to inspect my glans, and I told him it was impossible and I had not seen it for over a decade, He was surprised and during his inspection, he had to 'squeeze things out to get a sense of what he had to work with (though he still didn't see my glans), which was uncomfortable (and his hands were cold). He concluded there was just enough tissue for PIV, but the depth would have been limited. I had decided on minimal depth already, so it wasn't a problem.

So while shrinkage can be desirable, it may come with complications and some infection risk.

Hugs,

Allie

@Allie Jayne

thanks for sharing your story and experiences. I am def a firm believer of you lose what you don't use. Lol I know when I am less active thing down stairs seem to not be the same, in terms of how full and rigid it can become for the intended activities that follow lol.

I had not thought about other issues that could develop with atrophy, which like you said could cause other physical and mental health problems.

Quote from: Robbyv213 on June 21, 2024, 06:56:40 AM@Allie Jayne

thanks for sharing your story and experiences. I am def a firm believer of you lose what you don't use. Lol I know when I am less active thing down stairs seem to not be the same, in terms of how full and rigid it can become for the intended activities that follow lol.

I had not thought about other issues that could develop with atrophy, which like you said could cause other physical and mental health problems.

I didn't have any mental health problems, and, as you said, I wasn't using it! If I had become aroused I didn't have the space for expansion, and my doctor said I would have to go to hospital. Actually, I also developed some breast tissue as my T fell, and when I was trying to decide on starting HRT, my doctor said my body had already started transition! Also, the folds of loose skin sometimes became inflamed causing distracting discomfort. So there are quite a few downsides to significant atrophy.

My ex knew I was trans for 20 years before I transitioned, and she came into the bathroom before I started HRT and saw my flat groin, accusing me of having started HRT without talking to her. I reminded her of the Hypogonadism diagnosis and my Phimosis from atrophy, and she realised I was being honest and open with her.

Hugs,

Allie

I am sorry to anyone that may feel I put words in their mouth or assume something about their specific experiences or situation.

I tend to speak alot in the general sense. I may say something that might not apply to you you but it may apply to someone else In a similar situation, all while trying to relate to the subject as best I can (from my own limited experience and things I've read and heard doing research) and throwing in my two cents. I'm just trying to help and offer a different point of view since everyone's experience won't be the same but often very similar

I can definitively say yes that HRT has caused shrinkage.  My testicles have all but disappeared and it is a tiny fraction of what it was even at it's 'best' and is actually all but flat most of the time.

But sadly, I haven't started to explore the possibility of GRS yet my self.

I am surprised at the existing sexually usefulness of the junk despite the estradiol.
Which is good if you have good uses for it that way.  Maybe it has something in part because of what you started with down there.  Who knows?!


Chrissy

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on September 05, 2024, 10:06:57 AMI am surprised at the existing sexually usefulness of the junk despite the estradiol.
Which is good if you have good uses for it that way.  Maybe it has something in part because of what you started with down there.  Who knows?!


Chrissy

It is because the nerves are the same in male and female genitals. The dorsal nerve of the penis is also the same nerve of the clitoris. They start and end in the same place, so it makes sense that their "function" remains the same.

For me, I have noticed that I can't "get off" in the same way as I used to. Stroking sensations do nothing for me, but a vibe will curl my toes. There is a reason it is called a "Magic Wand". 

Wow, well yet again, I'm the odd girl out, uh, no I had no shrinkage whatsoever. No change that I noticed. I was on spiro and e for about 2-3 years prior to getting an orchi and there was no change. I had the orchi in 2019, and I was sure that would change thing, and again, nope. Didn't change. The damn thing stayed the same size and super annoyingly it continued to function. I had my GCS in 2022, I had been on HRT for 5 years, and there really had been no change. I took pictures of it the night before just because I was so amazed at it's tenacity.

I had a micro penis before HRT. I had GCS (3 operations) before PPV was available. I had a graph due to lack of material. Today I would have PPV.