|
|
This is only a preview of the paper
Click here to register and get the full text.
Existing members click here to login
|
|
|
This study follows on from my paper "Orchidectomy as a Preliminary Procedure Prior to Gender Reassignment Surgery" presented at the 3rd Gendys Conference at the University of Manchester in September 1994. In this study a group of 14 patients, of whom 13 presented as Transsexual, Male to Female, had requested orchidectomy as a first stage toward full gender reassignment surgery. (The 14th patient was gender dysphoric with a high libido which he wished to have reduced). Within the UK it has never been the accepted practise to offer orchidectomy in place of anti-androgen therapy, indeed the use of GnRH analogues including Goserelin, and Prostap SR by subcutaneous injection into the abdomen may well be preferable, not least because such treatment is reversible. Goserelin or Prostap may be used in gender dysphoric pre-pubertal boys to delay the onset of the masculinising changes of adolescence. Obviously bilateral orchidectomy is not an option when gender reassignment surgery is contemplated within 6-12 months, or when an alternative anti-androgen, including Androcur, is effective. However, an increasing number of patients have found the side effects of Androcur (cyproterone acetate) sufficiently unpleasant that these, combined with a wish to be free of their testes, have led them to request bilateral orchidectomy. The side effects of Androcur complained of were: extreme lassitude, alteration of sleep pattern, mood swings, headaches, depression, hot and cold sweats, and intolerance to alcohol (particularly red wine). It is significant that Androcur has never been licensed for use in the USA, presumably because of its hepato-toxicity and tendency to cause depression, fatigue, weight gain, osteoporosis and thrombosis and embolism. The Study. All the patients who had undergone bilateral orchidectomy over the last 5 years were contacted by letter enclosing a questionnaire and those who returned the questionnaire were then also personally interviewed.
Approximate Word count = 1187
Approximate Pages = 4.7
(250 words per page double spaced)
|
|
|
|
|
|