Bilateral Orchiectomy - Atlanta, Georgia

Thinking about getting an orchie?

If you live in relative proximity to Atlanta (Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee) you can go where I got mine done: there's no hospital fee's - their set up to perform minor surgeries in office (no expensive hospital fees) and they're completely trans friendly. Cost / complete is $5,000.

Click the link below to call and schedule a consultation at Morganstern Urology:

Bilateral Orchiectomy - Atlanta

Gender Re-assignment Surgery (GRS), or more accurately Sex Re-assignment Surgery (SRS), for male-to-female transsexual women is well covered on many Internet Websites and by other sources. Far less information is available about castration, technically know as an Orchiectomy (or Orchidectomy in "British" English).

However, a Bilateral Orchiectomy (removal of both testes) is a serious alternative to antiandrogen therapy for androgen suppression in preoperative transsexual women, and is now widely regarded as a useful precursor to SRS in many cases.

Orchiectomy Surgical Procedure
Orchiectomy is an operation for the surgical removal of the testes. Because the majority of the body’s male hormone, testosterone, is made in the testicles, an Orchiectomy is an excellent way of stopping its production and eliminate its masculinizing effects.

Because the testes are conveniently located external to the body cavity, they are relatively easy to remove and an Orchiectomy is considered to be a quite minor operation. Usually a small incision is made in the scrotum, the sac that contains the testicles. The testicles are detached from blood vessels and the vas deferens (the tube that carries sperm to the prostate before ejaculation), and the sac is sewed back up.

In an orchiectomy, the scrotum is cut open (A). Testicle covering is cut to expose the testis and spermatic cord (B). The cord is tied and cut, removing the testis (C), and the wound is repaired (D).

Orchiectomy can be performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, or under general anesthesia with an overnight stay in hospital.

The result of a bilateral orchiectomy performed on Dr. Jayne Hazel Drury

It's a fairly simple procedure - medically speaking. However - it's NOT so simple you can have it performed by a layperson - as this gal from Colorado sadly learned the hard way.

A Bilateral Orchiectomy is often ideal as a first stage toward full gender reassignment surgery. Orchiectomy also represents a viable and very effective (though irreversible) treatment for gender dysphoric pre-pubertal boys, preventing the onset of the masculinizing changes of adolescence.

Advantages of Orchiectomy

The result of a well healed bilateral orchiectomy

The procedure is relatively simple and cheap, has few risks. It needs to be performed only once and its effects almost begin almost immediately as testosterone levels drop dramatically. For the committed transsexual who is not concerned about its irreversibility, a Bilateral Orchiectomy represents a real, and probably safer and more effective, alternative to long term use of anti-androgens or expensive GnRH analogues like Goserelin Acetate or Prostap SR. Orchiectomy makes less sense when gender reassignment surgery is contemplated within 6-12 months, and when cheap oral anti-androgens such as the popular and commonly taken Androcur (Cyproterone Acetate) prove effective with no side effects.

Reasons that lead transsexual women to request a bilateral Orchiectomy include: a wish to be free of their testes; a desire to prevent further physical masculinization; concern about liver damage due to prolonged use of anti-androgens; avoidance of testicular discomfort when wearing tight under-wear/swimwear; as a step towards eventual gender reassignment; and due to an inability to proceed with SRS within a reasonable period of time for some reason.

Orchiectomy is particularly valuable for transsexual women who find they are intolerant to Cyproterone Acetate, who unpleasant side effects can include: weight gain, fatigue, alteration of sleep patterns, mood swings, headaches, depression, hot and cold sweats, and intolerance to alcohol (particularly red wine).

Additional chapters in This Section include:

Gender Reassignment Surgery
Orchiectomy for MTF Transsexual Women
Bilaterial Orchiectomy Atlanta
FFS Facial Feminization Surgery
MTF Transsexual Surgeries
Hormone Replacement Therapy for Transgender Women
Female Hormone Therapy MTF Transsexuals
Breast Development in MTF Transsexuals
MTF Transsexual Breast Enlargement
Breast Augmentation MTF Transsexuals
Lactation and the Transsexual Woman
Injecting Silicone for Transsexual Women
Brazilian Hips and Buttock Enlargement
Average Body Size MTF Transgender
Male and Female Skeleton Transsexuals
Treatment of Young Transsexuals
Puberty in Adolescents MTF Transgender
Treatment of Young MTF Transsexuals
Treatment of Intersex Infants
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome
Female Physical Beauty Transgender
Transgender Female Beauty
Exercise, Fitness and Diet for Transsexual Women

What is an Orchiectomy?

An orchiectomy (spelled orchidectomy in British English), is the medical term for the surgical procedure to remove one or more of the testicles. A bilateral orchiectomy is the removal of both testicles and is commonly referred to as castration.

An orchiectomy doesn't remove the penis, which would be a penectomy. It is also different from a vasectomy, which leaves the testicles and their function intact while still causing sterilization. While sex reassignment surgery (SRS) for male to female transsexuals also removes the testicles and penis, it is different because it also creates a functional vagina in the process.

What Are the Effects of an Orchiectomy?

The effects of an orchiectomy are caused by the reduction of testosterone. They can vary based on the age of the person and on the number of testicles removed.

If castration is done prior to puberty then the person won't develop male secondary sex characteristics without testosterone replacement therapy.

These Include:

Deep voice
Male body hair
Balding
Facial hair
Muscular frame
Reduced or complete lack of sex drive
Possible slight breast growth

If Castration is Done After Puberty:

Loss of body hair
Loss of muscle mass
Increased body fat
Possible reduced sex drive
Possible slight breast growth
Prevent or stop baldness

In most cases of castration after puberty facial hair growth is slowed but not stopped, libido is reduced but still exists and the voice remains deep.

If only one testicle is removed, the other testicle increases testosterone production and there won't be too much of a change.

Alternatives:

Antiandrogens such as spironolactone and cyproterone acetate can be taken to block testosterone. A more expensive option are gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists that block testicular function.

Why Do Some Trans Women Get Orchiectomies?:

Male to female (MTF) transsexuals, as well as some other transgendered people, sometimes undergo orchiectomy. An orchiectomy can be done before or instead of sex reassignment surgery (SRS). This is an option for those that either can't afford, aren't in good enough health or do not want to have SRS.

It is often recommended to get a bilateral orchiectomy when antiandrogens such as spironolactone or cyproterone acetate cause unwanted and dangerous side effects. Kidney, liver, and thyroid damage are common after long term use. There is also an increased risk of blood clots, hyperkalemia and some people are allergic to the medications.

Benefits of an Orchiectomy for Trans Women:

The Benefits for Transgendered Women Are:

1. Ability to stop taking antiandrogens and reduce estrogen

2. Increased health from reduction of medications

3: Saves money on medications

4: Might be able to legally change sex with an orchiectomy

5: Easier to "tuck" and hide genitals

6: Taken more seriously by society

7: Increased body image

8: Improved and faster feminization

9: Can no longer have testicular pain

10: Never detransition even if you can't take medications

There are also some possible downsides to getting an orchiectomy if you are planning on later sex reassignment surgery (SRS). The scrotal skin could possibly shrink resulting in less for later, and the money could have been saved for SRS. However, if you aren't close to affording SRS then you can save on medication costs. If an orchiectomy is done improperly then there is the chance of scar tissue.

Some surgeons might charge more for sex reassignment surgery if you have had an orchiectomy. Dr. Suporn is well known for refusing patients or charging a fee if you have been castrated.

Who Else Gets Orchiectomies?:

The most common reason for an orchiectomy is as a treatment for testicular cancer. If only one testicle is found to be cancerous then only that one is removed. Even if both testicles are removed, male sexual function can be restored and maintained through the use of testosterone injections or patches. However without testicles there is no production of sperm and so the person will be infertile.

Some men seek this procedure in order to remove what they consider uncomfortable, uncontrollable or dysfunctional sexual urges. Others may seek it in order to fulfill a fetish or fantasy. The most common reason for control of sexuality is as part of rehabilitation for sex offenders.

There are also eunuchs, which get castrated for religious or alternative gender identities.

The Different Types of Orchiectomies:

Simple Orchiectomy:

A simple orchiectomy is one in which the incision is made down the center of the scrotum. It can be done under general or local anesthesia. The various layers of muscle and fasciae are cu into and the testicles are extracted. The spermatic cord is tied off with two triple square knots using non-dissolving sutures and cut.

Operating time is generally 30 minutes to a hour in an outpatient setting with a checkup within 24 hours.

Radical, or Inguinal Orchiectomy:

An inguinal (groin area) orchiectomy may be either unilateral, involving only one testicle, or bilateral, involving both.
The reason for complete (radical) removal, in the cases of cancer treatment, is that testicular cancers frequently spread from the spermatic cord into the lymph nodes near the kidneys.

For trans women, an inguinal orchiectomy is often chosen to prevent scrotal scar tissue which may interfere with future sex reassignment surgery. A long non-absorbable suture is left in the stump of the spermatic cord for later surgeries.

A 2.5 inch (about 6 cm) incision is made above the pubic bone on the side above the testicle that is being removed. If you are getting both removed then an incision will be made on both sides.

The testicle is then pulled up through the inguinal canal, the spermatic cord is clamped off in two places to prevent blood loss and then cut between the clamps.

After the cord and testicle have been removed, the surgeon washes the area with saline solution and closes the various layers of tissues and skin with various types of sutures. The wound is then covered with sterile gauze and bandaged. The procedure is usually finished in 45 minutes to an hour and a half.

The full recovery time after a bilateral inguinal (radical) orchiectomy is usually between 2 to 8 weeks. Some light activity may be resumed after about 3 to 4 days.

Medical Consequences:

Someone that has been castrated will no longer produce enough testosterone to prevent osteoporosis. They will need to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the rest of their lives. Either estrogen or testosterone will prevent osteoporosis and rapid aging.

If castration is done before puberty then the person will be taller than average, since the sex hormones in puberty stop long bone growth.

Recovery After an Orchiectomy:

The recovery time for an orchiectomy is usually anywhere from a week to two months. Complications increase the length of healing time. The most common complications for an orchiectomy include bruising on or around the scrotum, spotting of blood, swelling and scrotal and abdominal pain.

Warning:

Castration should not be done without a doctor's care. Those who have done self cutting have generally regretted the outcomes or have had a difficult SRS due to scar tissue. Some have even died from the blood loss. If you choose to have this done by some that isn't medically trained, it can result in major health problems due to blood loss, excessive scar tissue formation or life threatening infections.

Letters of Recomendation for Surgery:

Most surgeons will require at least one if not two letters recommending you for either an orchiectomy or sex reassignment surgery. There are online gender therapists available that can provide a letter for surgery.