I'm planning to go the non-op route as well, and I'd prefer that it still "work," because my girlfriend and I like that part of our sex life- but if it stops working, it's not the end of the world. After just 6 weeks on estrofem it's more difficult to get erect, but I still can with the correct... ahem... stimulation. But the stimulation I need for that is ALREADY very different than it was pre-HRT.

Quote from: mementomori on September 11, 2012, 05:46:48 AM
i dont know , i dont want to look like a man or live as one , but i cant imagine a vagina being on my body ive always though[t]  they are really ugly although functionally im sure they are nice , but defiantly not aesthetically what id want

Really? Penises are beautiful on the other hand?

People who know I transitioned consider me a gay guy even though I have a vagina so not having SRS would be an easy way to save a lot of trouble and expense and be seen by those people as just another gay guy.

People who don't know I transitioned consider me a woman, even during and after sex.

Quote from: UCBerkeleyPostop on September 11, 2012, 06:24:52 PM
Really? Penises are beautiful on the other hand?

defiantly , i love penises 

Quote from: Kelly J. P. on July 06, 2012, 12:58:25 AM
Erectile function may or may not be affected, to note, by hormones.

I still "function", after 6+ months. Not as quickly as before...but like the little locomotive..."I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I thi...ooohh boyyy heeeerre weeee goooooooo" LOL

fwiw, I had dysphoria, but not directed specifically at the penis...instead it was the entire male body. As I modify each element, I move on to the next...so the "tackle" will probably be last in my hierarchy of needs.

As was posted earlier, Viagra or Cialis are vasodilators, so are working on blood flow, and will have no interaction with HRT.  Whether one has a penis or neo-vag is another matter entirely.  As it looks like I will have to wait for a year or so for SRS, for various reasons, I will consider the time to be "The Year of Living Non-Op."  I have spoken to my GT about this, and he thinks it will be good that I am keeping a journal of my thoughts and feelings.
Whether I find myself in a situation where performance enhancing drugs are desireable is a matter for the future, but if a partner wanted me to please her that way, I would be inclined to try it.

Karen.

Quote from: UCBerkeleyPostop on September 11, 2012, 06:24:52 PM
Really? Penises are beautiful on the other hand?

Yup, I love them too

As others said, just wait and see. HRT might not have as big an effect as you imagine. Actually thinking it positively will cause ED would make it happen

I have always had a strong disconnect with the boy parts, so much so that sex was very difficult at best, tried Viagra years ago but it just didn't help much at all...haven't tried having sex in over six years but honestly don't really miss it.
But my strong female traits are being caring, sensitive, passionate and loving, I love all that about me! it just doesn't include a sex drive.

Quote from: Michelle G on September 13, 2012, 02:18:26 AM
I have always had a strong disconnect with the boy parts, so much so that sex was very difficult at best, tried Viagra years ago but it just didn't help much at all...haven't tried having sex in over six years but honestly don't really miss it.
But my strong female traits are being caring, sensitive, passionate and loving, I love all that about me! it just doesn't include a sex drive.

I agree. I have been on HRT and anti androgens for many years but still get unwanted erections and absolutely hate them. I like to be in control and I'm not in control while I still have these parts. 

HRT and an Orchi my spontaneous erections are gone, and I like it that way. However, on that rarest of occasion when my special friend wants that little extra and from something other then an attachment ;-)  a C works for me although after years of atrify it's no where near it's former glory........

why do some people after years of hormones never get any atrophy ?

Most TS issues with getting and maintaining an erection are pretty much pychological issues not actual physical issues. It will work if your psyche wants it to.

I have been on HRT for 3 years and I have been post orchi for 18 months and my T levels are around T<10 nd/dl for the last 3 years and I still get occasional morning wood and could atain and maintain an erection for intercourse if I was so inclined.

A penis pump and cock rings will do allot to help you in this department. With rings and prostate stimuli you can actualy force an erection so there is all that.

If you are worried about long term sexual function I would sugest a revaluation of your goals.
Good luck and best of wishes. I understand how sex is an important part of many peoples lives. (mine included)

One more thing:
Moderator, shouldn't this post be in the sexuality section of the forums?

I had a beautiful penis when I first began transition.  After about five years on hormones it went from being python shaped to sort of apple core shaped O_o ...

I also lost function, erections became less hard and I wasn't able to maintain one as long.  I was on Spiro at times, Androcur during other times and a variety of different forms of estrogen.

Quote from: mementomori on September 13, 2012, 11:53:19 AM
why do some people after years of hormones never get any atrophy ?

I don't know what a atrophy is? is it an American term for an orchiectomy?

I had a lot of hassle with the NHS GIC in the U.K for several years which stalled my progress. I have always wanted GRS a long time ago and still do but I don't have the finances.  I also don't want my GRS in the United Kingdom because I don't like they way the operation is done and want the best possible results.

at·ro·phy (tr-f)
n. pl. at·ro·phies
1. Pathology A wasting or decrease in size of a body organ, tissue, or part owing to disease, injury, or lack of use: muscular atrophy of a person affected with paralysis.
2. A wasting away, deterioration, or diminution: intellectual atrophy.
v. at·ro·phied, at·ro·phy·ing, at·ro·phies
v.tr.
To cause to wither or deteriorate; affect with atrophy.
v.intr.
To waste away; wither or deteriorate.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Late Latin atrophia, from Greek atrophi, from atrophos, ill-nourished : a-, without; see a-1 + troph, food.]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

a·trophic (-trfk) adj.

Quote from: cynthialee on September 13, 2012, 12:22:36 PM
Most TS issues with getting and maintaining an erection are pretty much pychological issues not actual physical issues. It will work if your psyche wants it to.

I have been on HRT for 3 years and I have been post orchi for 18 months and my T levels are around T<10 nd/dl for the last 3 years and I still get occasional morning wood and could atain and maintain an erection for intercourse if I was so inclined.

I'm gonna be a lil gross here. Sorry!

I must be an oddball case then. First of all I almost never got morning erections. But after a month of HRT the random thoughts decreased SO much. By 4 months in my "erections" were curvy and flaccid until the point of orgasm... which is when they became close to a normal erection. The fluid was clear and MUCH less came out, but the orgasm was the same feel. About a year into it, the closest to erect (thanks in part to atrophy) that I get is just a little larger than I used to be when completely NOT erect pre hrt.

Changes have been VERY physical and profound in my genitals. I cross my legs and squeeze... don't feel a thing between them. I was about 5 inches pre hrt... now I'm maybe 3" at best. There are stretch marks on it and black lines running across (damages blood vessels maybe?) I still have nerve sensitivity all over... that hasn't deminished oddly enough.

I never wanted to keep it... and if I ever did want to.. I couldn't  see myself wanting to keep it now... its just useless and embarrassing at this point!

Quote from: Noey Noonesson on September 13, 2012, 07:08:07 PM
I had a beautiful penis when I first began transition.  After about five years on hormones it went from being python shaped to sort of apple core shaped O_o ...

I also lost function, erections became less hard and I wasn't able to maintain one as long.  I was on Spiro at times, Androcur during other times and a variety of different forms of estrogen.

beautiful penis?

pics or it didn't happen! (kidding!)

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on September 13, 2012, 09:11:38 PM
I'm gonna be a lil gross here. Sorry!

I must be an oddball case then. First of all I almost never got morning erections. But after a month of HRT the random thoughts decreased SO much. By 4 months in my "erections" were curvy and flaccid until the point of orgasm... which is when they became close to a normal erection. The fluid was clear and MUCH less came out, but the orgasm was the same feel. About a year into it, the closest to erect (thanks in part to atrophy) that I get is just a little larger than I used to be when completely NOT erect pre hrt.

Changes have been VERY physical and profound in my genitals. I cross my legs and squeeze... don't feel a thing between them. I was about 5 inches pre hrt... now I'm maybe 3" at best. There are stretch marks on it and black lines running across (damages blood vessels maybe?) I still have nerve sensitivity all over... that hasn't deminished oddly enough.

I never wanted to keep it... and if I ever did want to.. I couldn't  see myself wanting to keep it now... its just useless and embarrassing at this point!

is there a hard lump in the tissue where its curved ? 

Quote from: mementomori on September 13, 2012, 09:19:28 PM
is there a hard lump in the tissue where its curved ?

No. Nothing feels foreign. The entire penis feels a little spongier but I think its because the tissue had compacted due to the atrophy.