@ Kara-Xen:
First, doctors know a TREMENDOUS amount about everything discussed in this thread. Medical researchers have this subject matter down in exquisite detail even down to the molecular level. I kid you not. My job is quality control checking medical transcription at major hospitals all over the U.S.A. I did frontline medical transcription for years. All told, I've been in this line of work for about 15 years. That's how I know these things.
Start with this link in your research:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EstrogenThis is a really good starting point for the layperson who is not a medical specialist. Follow the links of interest to you, of which there will be many.
I could give you way technical links from databases used by endocrinological and neuropharmalogical researchers, but these are confidential to my work, and I simply cannot give anybody these links in good conscience. Sorry, but I simply cannot, for to do so would not be right. Again, follow the wikipedia links for further information on this topic.
Second, because you began hormone replacement therapy in your transition at age 19, you were by no means finished with pubescence. This, more than anything else, is why your changes have been profound and dramatic. Non-ops who have hormone replacement therapy young like you did experience things like you are experiencing. Realize, of course, that each person's reaction to hormone replacement therapy is unique.
Third, I doubt that you have either an endocrinological abnormality or any manner of genetic disorder. This could be the case, but it is rather unlikely. Had you genuinely had such a condition, it would have manifested itself before you commenced hormone replacement therapy.
Because of the work I do, I have access to databases that only doctors can access. My point? Yes, I've seen what you describe that you have. Yes, doctors know a whole lot about it. Yes, this is most likely happening because of your not yet being out of pubescence when you began your hormone replacement therapy.
Sexual function and hormone replacement therapy? Totally an individual proposition. Should you remain a preop? Your decision all the way. Might you become involuntarily asexual? Indeed, that may happen. Mind you, I'm in the same exact situation myself albeit at a much older age than you. This bums me out, but I'm much older. If I were your age, it would way bum me out.
What can be done? See an open-minded, qualified doctor and talk it over. The problem is not that doctors don't know about these things. The problem is that they have personal prejudices and often shy away from these things. Mind you, your everyday endrocrinologist will NOT know about hormone replacement therapy involving sex hormones all that much. You would be well advised to see an endocrinologist who specializes in treating people with sex hormone issues. That would be by way of referral from another doctor.
Really think it over before getting doctors deeply into this issue. It will be a very expensive proposition for you. The kind of specialists I'm talking about here are totally pricey. Unless you have insurance that WILL cover these visits, rethink this option. Don't mean to bum you out, but I'm telling you this so that you know it ahead of time. We're talking expensive specialists here. Just telling you so you know, that's all.
It's a touchy situation. Hope you can work it out, I really do. I feel your pain, again, because I'm experiencing the same thing you are, moreorless, but I'm much older, so my time is past anyway.
Best of luck with this.
