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Medical Concerns

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 3:46 am
by emryspup (imported)
So I've been wanting castration for a while, I've combed through a libraries worth of research, articles etc to learn as much as possible... But each time I come close to taking the next step, there's is always a small voice that says to me "Think of the consequences"

My question for all the eunuchs out there. How did overcome your concerns off all the consequences of becoming a eunuch? Such as affording/acquiring testosterone replacement (either costly from dodgey sites or prescription from the NHS), long term health effects (breast, weight, bone issues), and the actual procedure itself (Pretty risky if it's not done privately/NHS.

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 5:33 am
by seanthomas (imported)
You are right to think of spending the rest of your life as a Eunuch before making a decision. However, I read here and elsewhere that very few men who choose voluntary castration regret their choice. I image your biggest obstacle will be finding a doctor willing to remove healthy testicles in the UK. The only way I am aware of in Europe is to jump through the "transgender hoops", which can involve taking testosterone blockers and female hormones and at least claiming you are living as a female.

As for the surgery itself it's remarkably simple, relatively painless and recovery is fast (you can watch the procedure on my blog). Once free of you boy bits obtaining testosterone under the NHS should be cheap or free (claiming: "I was trans but changed my mind"). Otherwise I have no idea of the retail costs in the UK but in the US it's around $20/month with a prescription through GoodRx. You cannot buy trustworthy testosterone through the internet, although legitimate female hormones (estradiol and progesterone) are readily available and inexpensive.

If you do acquire testosterone just know it is not a panacea and comes with side effects such as raised red blood cell count and raised liver enzymes just to name a few. Some men report that T does not restore their libido if that is something you are after. I was quite happy without testosterone replacement and experienced only slight weight gain, some muscle loss as well as occasional lack of focus. However, I loved the effect it had on my moods. Yes, libido is diminished but does not entirely go away and what I liked most was it put me in control of my sex life, rather than sex controlling me.

For the past year I have been on low dose estrogen and quite satisfied with the results. It does raise libido and I maintain that "mellow" mood, but one side effect is gynecomastia.

Feel free to have a look at my personal blog for more information. Go back to older posts where I share a video of the procedure and personal experience. www.eunuchlife.blogspot.com. Also feel free to email me with specific questions.

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 12:39 pm
by Valery_V (imported)
seanthomas (imported) wrote: Thu Jul 15, 2021 5:33 am Feel free to have a look at my personal blog for more information. Go back to older posts where I share a video of the procedure and personal experience. www.eunuchlife.blogspot.com. Also feel free to email me with specific questions.

Seanthomas thanks! It is the remarkable website! It is a lot of interesting data on our subject. There are illustrations and video (that it is not admissible to spread at forum EA).

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 1:03 pm
by Boogie77 (imported)
I'm not gay. Wanted to make that clear. This is of great interest to me. I had hoped that testosterone would fix the libido problem. It drove up the numbers but oddly enough not much else. Polycythemia was a concern at the start. It did work at first.

I can't pinpoint the time that the problem first surfaced although it was about 40 years ago. I was warned about the prostate problem and sure enough that happened. Even with the subsequent TURP procedure I still have to get up 2-3 times a night to pee. And sometimes it is hard to get a stream started. And that surgery was no walk in the park. It also seemed to have caused ED and reduction of sensation and retrograde ejaculation. That is really a bummer. Would never recommend it. It is actually regarded as major surgery. I didn't know that.

I have followed this subject as the possibility of castration and HRT would permit normal activities. Although old, I am almost never ill. Evidently I am mistaken.

The penile vacuum pump can bring a semi erect state but it won't last long. The only options left are the meds which don't work well for me. And shots to the base of the penis.

I agree about the blog. Very helpful. Many thanks.

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 3:22 pm
by george2u2 (imported)
Boogie77 (imported) wrote: Thu Jul 15, 2021 1:03 pm I'm not gay. Wanted to make that clear. This is of great interest to me. I had hoped that testosterone would fix the libido problem. It drove up the numbers but oddly enough not much else. Polycythemia was a concern at the start. It did work at first.

I can't pinpoint the time that the problem first surfaced although it was about 40 years ago. I was warned about the prostate problem and sure enough that happened. Even with the subsequent TURP procedure I still have to get up 2-3 times a night to pee. And sometimes it is hard to get a stream started. And that surgery was no walk in the park. I

For my enlarged prostate a urologist suggested urolift as a mild solution. IT SHOULD BE CALLED PROSTATE PINCH! It was like Pissing razors and sitting lemons for the next six months. Very painful!

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 10:44 pm
by Boogie77 (imported)
Urolift? I hadn't heard of that.

Did it work? That TURP had me in adult diapers for a couple of months. When I had to go, I had to run it else. Eventually it got better. But occasionally it still causes problems. But even before it was a problem. So it was a wash except the surgery caused ED and retrograde ejaculation. Seems like there has to be a better way.

I'll have to research that. Thanks!

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 10:57 pm
by seanthomas (imported)
Boogie77 (imported) wrote: Thu Jul 15, 2021 1:03 pm I'm not gay. Wanted to make that clear.

No need to be concerned, as nobody here cares about anyone's sexual preferences and you'll find welcoming support from folks representing the entire spectrum of sexuality.

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 7:39 am
by Boogie77 (imported)
seanthomas (imported) wrote: Thu Jul 15, 2021 10:57 pm No need to be concerned, as nobody here cares about anyone's sexual preferences and you'll find welcoming support from folks representing the entire spectrum of sexuality.

Will do. This is a remarkable website. Many thanks.

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 3:25 pm
by justapup (imported)
I just recently spent time with a guy that had Ed, but had a surgery involving implants in the penis, groin/body and sac. It was a pump that filled balloons in his cock to make himself hard. I did not notice the difference betweenthat or a natural hard dick. Hope this is relevant to the topic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-proced ... c-20384916

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 8:51 pm
by Everhard (imported)
justapup (imported) wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 3:25 pm I just recently spent time with a guy that had Ed, but had a surgery involving implants in the penis, groin/body and sac. It was a pump that filled balloons in his cock to make himself hard. I did not notice the difference betweenthat or a natural hard dick. Hope this is relevant to the topic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-proced ... c-20384916

After years of CBT and banding left my penis without any feeling, I opted for an implant of this type. Still cannot feel anything but no issue getting hard. Look up penis implant porn images and I did a demo smashing a coke can to show firmness. Can answer questions if you have any.

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2021 12:27 am
by Boogie77 (imported)
justapup (imported) wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 3:25 pm I just recently spent time with a guy that had Ed, but had a surgery involving implants in the penis, groin/body and sac. It was a pump that filled balloons in his cock to make himself hard. I did not notice the difference betweenthat or a natural hard dick. Hope this is relevant to the topic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-proced ... c-20384916

That's good to hear, I suppose. Wouldn't it be preferable to use a vacuum pump and a cock ring? I saw a demonstration of it actually being used. I agree it works. But I think I will pass. Thanks for the info.

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2021 11:04 am
by Valery_V (imported)
Erectile Dysfunction (ED, Impotence)

Summary:

https://medlineplus.gov/erectiledysfunction.html

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2021 10:13 pm
by seanthomas (imported)
For years I've stood on my soapbox shouting that men like myself with ED need to realize a penis is not the only route to sexual satisfaction. I most often use the analogy of lesbians, who manage just fine without a penis. ED is an opportunity to explore all the other erogenous areas of the body and even a flaccid penis is still a pleasurable body part.

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2021 8:53 am
by Boogie77 (imported)
Valery_V (imported) wrote: Sat Jul 17, 2021 11:04 am Erectile Dysfunction (ED, Impotence)

Summary:

https://medlineplus.gov/erectiledysfunction.html

Wow! That is great information. I saw three meds that I take or have taken. I don't think that is the problem though. I think it was that TURP procedure. Had I known then what 'I know now I certainly wouldn't have had it done. But yesterday is gone and can't get it back.

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2021 9:34 am
by Paolo
Jesus A and I were just emailing back and forth about this.

I think we might a short "article" for EA sometime this summer about it.

My thoughts on it were, if the side effects of castration (varying with age of castration) were SO bad, then why did eunuchs live up to 15 years longer than intact men, and why were there societies in which people were lining up to volunteer (or volunteer their sons) for it?

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 5:54 am
by erikboy (imported)
Paolo wrote: Sun Jul 18, 2021 9:34 am Jesus A and I were just emailing back and forth about this.

I think we might a short "article" for EA sometime this summer about it.

My thoughts on it were, if the side effects of castration (varying with age of castration) were SO bad, then why did eunuchs live up to 15 years longer than intact men, and why were there societies in which people were lining up to volunteer (or volunteer their sons) for it?

There certainly are some bad effects related to castration, especially if castrated period is very long. Like osteoporosis. Kyphosis was quite common among eunuchs. But modern medicine helps to alleviate these side effects, and many other side effects. So modern day eunuchs might live even longer. The longer the castrated period in life the longer life expectancy is.

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:46 am
by Valery_V (imported)
erikboy (imported) wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 5:54 am There certainly are some bad effects related to castration, especially if castrated period is very long. Like osteoporosis. Kyphosis was quite common among eunuchs. But modern medicine helps to alleviate these side effects, and many other side effects. So modern day eunuchs might live even longer. The longer the castrated period in life the longer life expectancy is.

Kyphosis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyphosis

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:16 am
by plix (imported)
I was castrated at age 20 after thinking it over for a few months beforehand. I was aware of most of the consequences but was still willing to take the risk. However, I'd be willing to bet there are some consequences that we still don't know about, so it's always a good idea to be sure that castration is something you are willing to live with for the rest of your life.

I live in the United States, so my experiences with affording T may be different from yours. Here, the only legal options are paying for it out-of-pocket, having private or public insurance pay for it, or acquiring it free through a patient assistance program sponsored by the pharmaceutical companies, and that last one is what I was originally able to do because of my financial circumstances. Now, I get it through my local health center's pharmacy at a reduced cost, again because of my financial circumstances.

My experience has been that injectable T is typically the most affordable form. However, some (such as myself) prefer the more stable levels that you get with gels.

The long-term health effects are certainly one of the riskiest aspects of castration. You don't really know how it's going to affect you until you've done it, and everyone's experience will be different. In my case, while I did fine back when I was first castrated with no hormones in my system, I now experience significant health problems at age 36 if I don't take any hormone replacement. I don't know exactly why. Some of this could be aging itself, or it's possible that some of my other glands (adrenal, thyroid, etc.) aren't doing as well as they used to.

In any case, the most significant health problems for me when I don't take any hormones include severe difficulty sleeping, depression, irritability, low energy, weight gain, and cognitive functioning difficulties. I also experience constipation, which may be surprising since I don't recall ever hearing that mentioned as a side effect of castration (and my doctor hasn't either), but it definitely happens to me when I don't take any hormones. I haven't yet figured out a way to deal with all of them that doesn't involve taking hormones (either T or E).

Just a lack of T never caused me to develop any breast tissue, but I did develop a small but noticeable amount from my times taking E.

My procedure was performed by a licensed doctor, so I wasn't too worried about that. However, I did develop an infection afterwards, so even going that route is not guaranteed to be free of problems.

Hope that helps! :)

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 12:58 pm
by Boogie77 (imported)
My thoughts would be to do a complete blood panel. There may be other issues that need to be addressed. We do this about every six months and can graph the results to indicate significant swings.

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:08 pm
by erikboy (imported)
plix (imported) wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:16 am In any case, the most significant health problems for me when I don't take any hormones include severe difficulty sleeping, depression, irritability, low energy, weight gain, and cognitive functioning difficulties. I also experience constipation, which may be surprising since I don't recall ever hearing that mentioned as a side effect of castration (and my doctor hasn't either), but it definitely happens to me when I don't take any hormones. I haven't yet figured out a way to deal with all of them that doesn't involve taking hormones (either T or E).

yes, it is so confusing how much effects of no T vary. some eunuchs do not complain about insomnia at all, saying that they sleep even better without T. I've gone through few chemcastration periods. For me one of the first signs of very low T is debilitating insomnia along with lack of morning erections. First 2 months are usually the hardest. I just can not sleep. I stay awake all the night, aware of my surroundings no matter what I do. I totally lacked that wonderful feeling of freshness after a good sleep. Over months my sleep improved and I was able to sleep in short sleep spans of 1-2 hours, waking up around 5 times during the night. Sometimes waking up only twice. But still, my sleep was shallow and not satisfactory.

But I did not experience depression. Instead I felt happy about being castrated. One of my friends pointed out that I look much happier than year before. Over time I think I developed dopamine deficit. That made me feel much more indifferent about my surroundings and events around me. I just didn't care much. And I felt kind of joyless. I experienced so called brainfog during the first 2 months. And also I enjoyed so called "eunuch calm" at times. Interestingly I had no weight gain. Even vice versa. First half of my eunuch day usually looked very energetic. thanx to coffee. And second half of the day I was suffering from bad sleep and lack of energy and motivation to do anything. Still it wasn't too bad. For me, insomnia was the worst side effect of low T.

Interestingly when my T levels were below 20ng/ml I felt properly castrated. At levels around 50ng/ml I started to feel libido returning.

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2021 11:24 pm
by Paolo
I will throw this into the discussion, and it's not a political statement designed to hijack the thread!

I did have a question from a member about health care in the United States. In regards to "Medical Concerns," for those that do not live in the USA, this is VERY concerning issue.

There is no national health care plan in the USA. The Affordable Health Care Act attempted to remedy this. Like most other government programs, it became bogged down in red tape and "pork". It was a great idea. It didn't work for a lot of people. In fact, it soon became known as "The UNaffordable Health Care Act."

Medical problems here in the USA can cost the patient a LOT of money. A few years ago, a simple broken arm viewed and treated at the ER was costing about $7k/USD without any insurance.

In the USA, one may have insurance through their employer's plan. Many do not offer it. It costs a lot. I quit my 2nd last job over the costs.

One may also pay for their own plan, out of pocket.

Some may enroll in the government's ACA plan, also called "ObamaCare". It works for some; not for all.

There are also individual states with health care plans for select groups.

MANY others have no coverage at all.

The last time I visited a doctor, it was for a simple earache. A bad one. I paid about $300 to get my ears cleaned, total. It took about 15 minutes.

One dental crown? Over $1,000

These are local prices. Prices may vary.

And something more involved like a cataract (eye) surgery? $12,000 USD, cash. We found this out through a billing error with my grandfather. They didn't put in that he had MediCare and also other coverage.

This is posted for those that didn't know.

Please, let's not turn this into a political thread about US health care now. This is information only.

Replies not related to the medical concerns as initially posted by emryspup will be removed and/or edited.

Thank you.

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 3:39 am
by plix (imported)
erikboy (imported) wrote: Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:08 pm yes, it is so confusing how much effects of no T vary. some eunuchs do not complain about insomnia at all, saying that they sleep even better without T. I've gone through few chemcastration periods. For me one of the first signs of very low T is debilitating insomnia along with lack of morning erections. First 2 months are usually the hardest. I just can not sleep. I stay awake all the night, aware of my surroundings no matter what I do. I totally lacked that wonderful feeling of freshness after a good sleep. Over months my sleep improved and I was able to sleep in short sleep spans of 1-2 hours, waking up around 5 times during the night. Sometimes waking up only twice. But still, my sleep was shallow and not satisfactory.

But I did not experience depression. Instead I felt happy about being castrated. One of my friends pointed out that I look much happier than year before. Over time I think I developed dopamine deficit. That made me feel much more indifferent about my surroundings and events around me. I just didn't care much. And I felt kind of joyless. I experienced so called brainfog during the first 2 months. And also I enjoyed so called "eunuch calm" at times. Interestingly I had no weight gain. Even vice versa. First half of my eunuch day usually looked very energetic. thanx to coffee. And second half of the day I was suffering from bad sleep and lack of energy and motivation to do anything. Still it wasn't too bad. For me, insomnia was the worst side effect of low T.

Interestingly when my T levels were below 20ng/ml I felt properly castrated. At levels around 50ng/ml I started to feel libido returning.

What I find most interesting is that when I was younger, I had no problems being without hormones and even did very well. So I'm thinking there could be something else going on, but I have no idea what it is.

I do wonder how well my adrenal glands are functioning. A few months after my surgery, my T levels were measured at 37. Much more recently and the last time I was not taking anything that converts to T, they were measured at 14. Could that possibly suggest a decline in adrenal functioning? My understanding has always been that non-testicular output of T occurs primarily in the adrenals.

My insomnia isn't so much the inability to sleep at all, though it can take a bit longer to fall asleep without hormones. With me, it's that I wake up, usually about 4 to 5 hours after falling asleep but occasionally 6, and am unable to fall back asleep. I feel fine when I first wake up, but the lack of a full night's sleep catches up to me later in the day.

My depression likely involves other factors as well since I can sometimes experience it even with hormones. However, lack of hormones definitely seems to exacerbate it in my case, especially in recent years.

But you're right - it's confusing yet interesting to see how lack of hormones can affect each one of us so differently. :)

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:50 am
by Valery_V (imported)
plix (imported) wrote: Thu Aug 05, 2021 3:39 am What I find most interesting is that when I was younger, I had no problems being without hormones and even did very well. So I'm thinking there could be something else going on, but I have no idea what it is.

I do wonder how well my adrenal glands are functioning. A few months after my surgery, my T levels were measured at 37. Much more recently and the last time I was not taking anything that converts to T, they were measured at 14. Could that possibly suggest a decline in adrenal functioning? My understanding has always been that non-testicular output of T occurs primarily in the adrenals.

My insomnia isn't so much the inability to sleep at all, though it can take a bit longer to fall asleep without hormones. With me, it's that I wake up, usually about 4 to 5 hours after falling asleep but occasionally 6, and am unable to fall back asleep. I feel fine when I first wake up, but the lack of a full night's sleep catches up to me later in the day.

My depression likely involves other factors as well since I can sometimes experience it even with hormones. However, lack of hormones definitely seems to exacerbate it in my case, especially in recent years.

But you're right - it's confusing yet interesting to see how lack of hormones can affect each one of us so differently. :)

Adrenal glands

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrenal_gland

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/ ... nal-glands

https://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinol ... nal-glands

Adrenal Gland Disorders

https://medlineplus.gov/adrenalglanddisorders.html

https://www.yourhormones.info/glands/adrenal-glands/

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2021 2:10 am
by plix (imported)

Re: Medical Concerns

Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2022 2:32 am
by IdreamIcanfly (imported)
plix (imported) wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:16 am I was castrated at age 20 after thinking it over for a few months beforehand. I was aware of most of the consequences but was still willing to take the risk. However, I'd be willing to bet there are some consequences that we still don't know about, so it's always a good idea to be sure that castration is something you are willing to live with for the rest of your life.

I live in the United States, so my experiences with affording T may be different from yours. Here, the only legal options are paying for it out-of-pocket, having private or public insurance pay for it, or acquiring it free through a patient assistance program sponsored by the pharmaceutical companies, and that last one is what I was originally able to do because of my financial circumstances. Now, I get it through my local health center's pharmacy at a reduced cost, again because of my financial circumstances.

My experience has been that injectable T is typically the most affordable form. However, some (such as myself) prefer the more stable levels that you get with gels.

The long-term health effects are certainly one of the riskiest aspects of castration. You don't really know how it's going to affect you until you've done it, and everyone's experience will be different. In my case, while I did fine back when I was first castrated with no hormones in my system, I now experience significant health problems at age 36 if I don't take any hormone replacement. I don't know exactly why. Some of this could be aging itself, or it's possible that some of my other glands (adrenal, thyroid, etc.) aren't doing as well as they used to.

In any case, the most significant health problems for me when I don't take any hormones include severe difficulty sleeping, depression, irritability, low energy, weight gain, and cognitive functioning difficulties. I also experience constipation, which may be surprising since I don't recall ever hearing that mentioned as a side effect of castration (and my doctor hasn't either), but it definitely happens to me when I don't take any hormones. I haven't yet figured out a way to deal with all of them that doesn't involve taking hormones (either T or E).

Just a lack of T never caused me to develop any breast tissue, but I did develop a small but noticeable amount from my times taking E.

My procedure was performed by a licensed doctor, so I wasn't too worried about that. However, I did develop an infection afterwards, so even going that route is not guaranteed to b
erikboy (imported) wrote: Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:08 pm e free of problems.

Hope that helps! :)

yes, it is so confusing how much effects of no T vary. some eunuchs do not complain about insomnia at all, saying that they sleep even better without T. I've gone through few chemcastration periods. For me one of the first signs of very low T is debilitating insomnia along with lack of morning erections. First 2 months are usually the hardest. I just can not sleep. I stay awake all the night, aware of my surroundings no matter what I do. I totally lacked that wonderful feeling of freshness after a good sleep. Over months my sleep improved and I was able to sleep in short sleep spans of 1-2 hours, waking up around 5 times during the night. Sometimes waking up only twice. But still, my sleep was shallow and not satisfactory.

But I did not experience depression. Instead I felt happy about being castrated. One of my friends pointed out that I look much happier than year before. Over time I think I developed dopamine deficit. That made me feel much more indifferent about my surroundings and events around me. I just didn't care much. And I felt kind of joyless. I experienced so called brainfog during the first 2 months. And also I enjoyed so called "eunuch calm" at times. Interestingly I had no weight gain. Even vice versa. First half of my eunuch day usually looked very energetic. thanx to coffee. And second half of the day I was suffering from bad sleep and lack of energy and motivation to do anything. Still it wasn't too bad. For me, insomnia was the worst side effect of low T.

Interestingly when my T levels were below 20ng/ml I felt properly castrated. At level
s around 50ng/ml I started to feel libido returning.

As the hormones have chemically castrated me I raised these observations at my clinic appointment today. The Doctor was aware of constipation issues and commented that many think they have diarrhea and take over the counter meds that make things worse. Certainly in the UK bowel/bladder/penis issues are taboo with many males hence the rise in colon cancer deaths. In my case these episodes are linked to comfort eating as I feel bad which doesn't help the weight loss. I tick most of the other boxes too. I know this is thread necromancy but stuff like this needs to be talked about.