At the beginning of the last semester I began hormone-replacement therapy under the strict supervision of an endocrinologist, a general practitioner, and a psychologist. I can never go back to being the person everyone expected me to be. I have been set free.
Since then, my body has changed. My hip-to-waist ratio, muscle mass, fat distribution, breast development, and softening of the skin are noticeable.
These drugs and this therapy come with a price, however. Estrogens and anti-androgens (which block testosterone) can cause heart attacks, strokes, low potassium levels, blood clots, and numerous other side effects.
Anti-androgens can’t be taken long term. And if you don’t block the testosterone, taking estrogens is pointless. So, what can be done? Well, that is what I thought about this New Year’s Eve while out with the girls, dancing the night away.
Where is testosterone made? In the testicles, of course. I’m not ready for complete sex reassignment surgery yet, so what can I do? I can have an orchiectomy.
An orchiectomy is the removal of the testicles, which the anti-androgens are blocking, anyways.
So, this will mean two less pills to take every day and less health risk.
But, wait! I know that in vaginoplasty the surgeons use the skin from the scrotum to create a vulva. If they remove my scrotum, then I would need to get other skin grafts, and I don’t want that.
Upon consultation, however, I discovered that removal of the scrotum is an entirely different procedure than removal of the testicles is.
No worries then, my future lady parts are safe.