Hello - who I am and why I'm here.

[DonCarlos (imported)]

I'm a 63 y/o straight happily married man living in the UK. My interest in castration come initially from a wish to be rid of my still active libido (I've not had sex in 15 years or more and have no interest in it) and also to reduce my underlying levels of anxiety and anger. Being sterile is not an issue - I have two grown up daughters and had a vasectomy over 20 years ago.

Whilst researching means of reducing or eliminating my libido the option of an orchiectomy came up. I also hear that the reduction of Testosterone levels can bring with it a "calm" as that otherwise always present male aggression subsides.

Whilst it would be much better to get things in my head sorted out I retain an interest in castration as an option and I'm interested in finding out more about the pros and cons, especially mental and emotional state post surgery.

Thanks.

[wanasoso2]

Welcome to the EA where in the last year I found a lot of interesting information as the one you're looking for. I'm in a similar situation as yours with no sex in the last 10 years living in a good lovely relationship with my wife. I'm still very confuse about what could be done to lower the suffering induce by the sex drive. I would like to try some chemical castration as many here would suggest as a first mandatory test try before any future intervention. In two days I have an appointment with my urologist and I'll chalenge him again on the topic. Six months ago on the phone he was not really open, saying that he needs a psychiatric evaluation to go on. From my sex therapist there is some opening on the question but she said in about 5 years not before. I'll see with her why she said that. For me it would be about the seventies as many here in the EA. Everyone is following his path. Wish you the best and good luck in your journey.

[WheelyCurious]

I'm a 63 y/o straight happily married man living in the UK. My interest in castration come initially from a wish to be rid of my still active libido (I've not had sex in 15 years or more and have no interest in it) and also to reduce my underlying levels of anxiety and anger. Being sterile is not an issue - I have two grown up daughters and had a vasectomy over 20 years ago.

Whilst researching means of reducing or eliminating my libido the option of an orchiectomy came up. I also hear that the reduction of Testosterone levels can bring with it a "calm" as that otherwise always present male aggression subsides.

Whilst it would be much better to get things in my head sorted out I retain an interest in castration as an option and I'm interested in finding out more about the pros and cons, especially mental and emotional state post surgery.

Thanks.

Welcome to the forum, I hope we can help you find the information you need to sort out your desires...

As Wanaso mentioned, if you are primarily interested in libido reduction, chemical castration is definitely an option worth considering, as it will give you a sort of 'test drive' that is reversible if you decide this isn't the path for you.

We can't emphasize enough that doing anything beyond chemical castration is a ONE WAY trip, so it is absolutely vital that you be certain about your desires before doing anything permanent.

Another thing that I personally feel is really important is that if you are married (or in any other sort of long term relationship) that you talk about this with your partner and make sure that she is at least OK about it. Others here have chosen not to tell their partner that they actually wanted to be cut, which is their decision, but I feel that having such a big secret is not a good way to maintain a happy relationship....

The question of 'eunuch calm' is somewhat of an open question, some experience it, some don't, and while most report lower libido, the ability to get erections / orgasms varies. It is further complicated by the fact that many find that some sort of hormone replacement therapy is needed for physical and mental health reasons... Doing it with testosterone can almost defeat the reason for getting fixed, while estrogen does the same health benefit but can have it's own downsides including some level of feminizing which may or may not be desirable...

So there is a lot to think about. I'd encourage you to explore the forums a lot, especially any 'sticky' threads, and ask plenty of questions.

Unfortunately, while we have seen the recent release of the WPATH Standards of Care version 8, which in theory makes it much easier to explore this option, the UK has reportedly been very reluctant to actually accept this and is one of the more difficult places to get medically supervised help. As a US person I'll leave it to some of our UK members to explain further...

Good luck.

WheelyCurious

[NaturalEunuch]

Everyone is different, but an orchiectomy will certainly get rid of your libido. I don't even think about sex or look at porn or beatle my meatle. These are huge time-wasters and you'll be way more productive without them.

Regarding "calm," it's apparently a long-term effect. As a fairly recent member of the eunuch club, I'm still as cranky as ever.

[DonCarlos (imported)]

Thanks for the feedback. My research suggests that a drug to reduce testoterone levels and simulate the effects of an orchiectomy could be cyproterone acetate, and it looks to be available via the internet without prescription. I also read a paper that said only very low levels are needed to achieve the desired effect - 8 to 10mg daily. The std tab is a 50mg dose so it suggests a quarter of a tab per day. I guess the next step is to obtain some and give it a trial.

[WheelyCurious]

Thanks for the feedback. My research suggests that a drug to reduce testoterone levels and simulate the effects of an orchiectomy could be cyproterone acetate, and it looks to be available via the internet without prescription. I also read a paper that said only very low levels are needed to achieve the desired effect - 8 to 10mg daily. The std tab is a 50mg dose so it suggests a quarter of a tab per day. I guess the next step is to obtain some and give it a trial.

I'm not an expert on cypro, (it isn't approved for use in the US, so I was given other drugs) but my recollection is that that dose seems low, especially initially. There are LOTS of threads here on doses and protocols that you should probably look at. However my understanding is that the typical protocol is a fairly high dose initially to shut things down, then reducing down to the lowest dose that will keep them from starting up again.

Cypro is known to be somewhat hard on the liver, so it is important to get down to the low dose fairly quickly. Recommendation is also made for medical monitoring of liver function and hormone levels, but it isn't immediately obvious how to manage this if the medical folks are not willing to help in the first place...

WheelyCurious

[Castor]

I know well what you describe. There are many ways to reduce libido permanently or temporarily. Cyproterone acetate like Androcur are quite controversial (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyproterone_acetate). But at least the drug comes in two different strengths: 10 mg and 50 mg. Maybe the relatively harmless 10 mg version will already do something in your case. Otherwise, you could take Relugolix-containing drugs, which are used for chemical castration in cases of prostate cancer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relugolix). Or maybe you don't need such strong drugs, but can lower your libido with Finasteride. It works by lowering dihydrotestosterone (DHT), see also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finasteride. The drug comes in a strong version (5 mg) designed to reduce prostate size. However, it also comes in a mild version that is used for men who are balding. In any case, with all the medications mentioned, I would always try to recommend medications in tablet form (rather than depot injections), as most such medications can cause severe side effects (depression, breast growth, permanent impotence, etc.) and are very easy to discontinue if side effects occur.

[10yeareunuch (imported)]

Have you discussed your desire with your wife? Getting her to on board is a great motivator to get it done. Start with Cypro or Depo to get a good feel what it's is like without testosterone. Six months should do the trick.

[wanasoso2]

As it was mention just before Finasteride may have some "introducing" effect to lower libido and influene genital size. For now it's a year that I take Reishi mushroom extract, 250 mg (2 capsules a day) and from 5 months I haded 15 drops of alcool extracted Reishi. Also five months ago, I got Finasteride from my GP (1mg per day) I got good results with Reishi about hair loss and now even better one with the finasteride supplement after a few months. In the last two weeks I saw not a hair in my comb or after the shower. That's great. At the same time I observered a small reduction in my testis size and without any suggestion about this fact, this morning my wife noticed that my testis whas smaller than usual. Aslo my flacid penis rest smaller than ususal and I feel that my sex drive is diminished. All of this is far from a castrated situation but for me it looks like a somehow introduction to lower libido or at least some control over it with keeping hairs as a bonus. As like you I'am planing of looking at some more potent intervention over myT level.

[Conrad73 (imported)]

I am a heterosexual male who suffers from chronic testicular pain ever since a traumatic injury that occured at the beginning of puberty. I'm physically underdeveloped and I think this injury contributed to that. The pain has damaged my quality of life for 18 years, it can be debilitating at times. I have tried some herbal anti androgen therapies that have helped reduce the severity of the pain. One of the testicles may be so damaged that it has to be removed, it hurts badly enough that I am totally willing to have that one removed. Over the course of my time enduring this pain, I have often desired castration, but I am am avid researcher and aware of the side effects that seem difficult to manage. I am not sexually active and I will probably use this forum to learn about surgical methods and how to deal with the doctors who try to discourage you. I will also be reading about herbal anti androgens and chemical castration. I probably won't post much because this stuff is very personal and not easy to talk about.

[WheelyFixed]

Welcome, and

I hope we can help you find the information you need

and get to your goals.

I can certainly understand that this isn't an easy topic to talk about, but feel free as you aren't going to find a crowd more willing to talk about this topic, as it's why all of us are here... Some are only here because of a fantasy interest, but most of us are here because we either want to be, or have been castrated for a wide range of reasons, but we are all at some point on the same journey. You are WELCOME HERE!

Unfortunately there has lately been a lot of politics going on about this topic, and I don't know how that effects things in your state, but there are options for travel that wouldn't be to bad, however in much of the US is relatively easy to get the appropriate care. Most US insurance will even cover some or all of the costs involved.

What I'd suggest as a starting point is reaching out to your local trans-gender clinic, especially if you can find one associated with one of your area hospitals. They are the experts on all things gender related, not just people wanting to do M <> F transitions. Technically, desiring castration puts you in the 'trans' category, and the latest version of the WPATH 'Standards of Care' (version 8) now has a chapter specifically on people like us. For what it's worth, I was one of the early people to follow the SOC v.8 process and got fixed last September - it was time consuming, but not that difficult. Since you have physical trauma, that may speed up the process. If nothing else, the TG centers will be able to help you find doctors that are willing to provide the appropriate care without trying to discourage you. (They WILL want to be sure you are well informed about the consequences, but as a researcher you shouldn't have a lot of trouble with that)

If you follow the threads you will see a lot of discussion about various DIY methods, most of which have a lot of major risks and problems, but used to be almost the only option. These days, especially in the US, there does not seem to be any good reason to consider them, as the SOC v.8 process allows one to follow a medically safe route.

Good luck on your journey....

WheelyFixed

[Conrad73 (imported)]

I appreciate your suggestions Wheely. I'll read up on SOC v.8. The presentation of a "Eunuch" as a gender identity and not merely a physically defined condition is new to me and very interesting...

I'm dealing with my own situation slowly and carefully. I'm using vitex and Reishi mushroom now, about to try black cocosh and saw palmetto. I think that lowering my testosterone helps reduce my overall pain and inflammation level, to an extent.

I am very cautious with pharmaceuticals, I'm really a naturopath, but not too rigid. In any case it will take long long consideration before I would try chemical castration. I am pretty sure I would not want any HRT beyond what is medically necessary if I were castrated. I have read that herbs and nutrition can mitigate osteoporosis etc.

What I am going to try to do soon is get an ultrasound to see the extent of the damage, a big decision factor...

[WheelyFixed]

I appreciate your suggestions Wheely. I'll read up on SOC v.8. The presentation of a "Eunuch" as a gender identity and not merely a physically defined condition is new to me and very interesting...

I'm dealing with my own situation slowly and carefully. I'm using vitex and Reishi mushroom now, about to try black cocosh and saw palmetto. I think that lowering my testosterone helps reduce my overall pain and inflammation level, to an extent.

I am very cautious with pharmaceuticals, I'm really a naturopath, but not too rigid. In any case it will take long long consideration before I would try chemical castration. I am pretty sure I would not want any HRT beyond what is medically necessary if I were castrated. I have read that herbs and nutrition can mitigate osteoporosis etc.

What I am going to try to do soon is get an ultrasound to see the extent of the damage, a big decision factor...

The SOC v.8 is a free download from the WPATH website, so easy to see it. BTW many of the members here were involved in writing the eunuch chapter.... I'd also say that it is quite possible to be a eunuch without any change to how you 'present'... Once I'm dressed there isn't anything that says I'm anything other than a typical hetero male, and the only people outside of my medical care team that know is my long time girlfriend and the folks here...

I haven't heard of people using reishi as an anti-androgen, though I know some that have used it very successfully to treat cancer, and it definitely has other health benefits.

In general, what most here seem to have found is that the various herbal and other natural products seem to have only limited effect unless taken in very large quantity, but it's definitely a "Your Mileage Will Vary" thing... Hormone replacement is also a topic all by itself, so I won't go into it here.

WheelyFixed

[Conrad73 (imported)]

Reishi (as well a green tea) have compounds that prevent testosterone from converting to dht, so it does not lower T at the end of the day. Vitex does lower T to a very small extent, I think it works better for people with high T to begin with. I think that the power of thinking like a eunuch cannot be underestimated. I try to just put sex out of my mind, as much as I can.

[WheelyFixed]

Reishi (as well a green tea) have compounds that prevent testosterone from converting to dht, so it does not lower T at the end of the day. Vitex does lower T to a very small extent, I think it works better for people with high T to begin with. I think that the power of thinking like a eunuch cannot be underestimated. I try to just put sex out of my mind, as much as I can.

I tried to keep it out of my mind for years - mostly didn't succeed, but now it's a whole lot easier Of course now every time I hear about some celebrity or politician getting in trouble because he couldn't keep his where it belonged, I want to say "There's a FIX for that...."

WheelyFixed

[TrustyTrout (imported)]

Hi Don Carlos,Welcome to the site. You seem already to have found (as I have) friendly folks willing to engage and share their thoughts. There are no bad questions here. Cheers,TT

[DonCarlos (imported)]

Bit of an update. I found a urologist here in the UK who included orchiectomy in his list of procedures. I arranged a 30 min video consultation with him. He listened to my story and (quite rightly) pointed out the side effects of an orchy (which are well documented on this site). He suggested I have my testosterone levels checked thinking my desire may arise from high T levels. He also suggested I start with a psychologist. Surprisingly my T level turned out to be 8.8 u/mol, which is towards the bottom end of normal for a 64 y/o. This was an NHS test - an earlier home test gave a reading of 5.9 u/mol.

This gets me thinking that as my T levels are already low, if my T level was reduced to near zero might I experience less side effects vs my current state? The low T level makes sense as I've struggled with my weight all my life despite being very fit when younger, and that weight has tended to be on my chest and hips. Even at my fittest and lightest I still had noticeable breasts and "handlebars" on my hips.

So, I do plan to find a suitable psychologist and maybe that will prove to be the answer. However, the option of an orchy is still there as plan "B". As previously mentioned I would start with a period of Siterone (6 months min) to explore the likely side effects for me.

[AdamWestie (imported)]

I was voluntarily castrated several years ago. I now have a wonderful calm. I wish I'd done it much sooner