As a provider in transgender care, I have observed that the wait time for vaginoplasty surgery can be as long as 2-5 years or longer, depending on where you are located!

Especially if you want to work with an experienced “in demand” gender-affirming surgeon.

Additionally, many people are unable to have vaginoplasty for numerous personal reasons, such as:

• health

• resources

• finances

• personal circumstances

• and access to care

Considering orchiectomy, removing testes as a part of your gender transition is a great option with numerous benefits.

Orchiectomy is also a great option for people facing lengthy wait periods for vaginoplasty or when other decisional factors are present.

Here are three main benefits to consider when contemplating whether orchiectomy is for you!

BENEFIT #1

• Orchiectomy (either a stand-alone procedure or as a part of pre-vaginoplasty) is a great option to decrease the estrogen dose needed and hence reduce estrogen-related medical risks such as venous thrombosis, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and migraine headaches.

• Orchiectomy is a great option to permanently stop taking anti-androgen as part of your HRT, such as Spironolactone, often associated with medical risks such as Orthostasis, Hyperkalemia, and Polyuria.

• A recent study, “Medical, Gender Dysphoria, and Quality-of-Life Benefits of Pre-Vaginoplasty Bilateral Orchiectomy,” cited 69.3% of individuals reported diminished concern about HRT medication risk following orchiectomy.

BENEFIT #2

• Orchiectomy greatly helps reduce gender dysphoria for individuals who are feeling a tremendous amount of distress in relation to their genitals.

• The above-mentioned study reported a 96.1% reduction in gender dysphoria following obtaining an orchiectomy procedure.

BENEFIT #3

• Orchiectomy increases comfort level when it comes to “tucking” for individuals who want to achieve an appearance congruent with their gender identity.

• The above study found that 87.4% of participants reported increased comfort with “tucking” following orchiectomy.

Apart from the main benefits mentioned above, orchiectomy is an outpatient procedure with low rates of post-op pain and complications!

If you are considering orchiectomy, discussing all the pros and cons with a gender-affirming provider is a must.

YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY THE FOLLOWING:

• 11 Tips on How to Choose a Gender Affirming Surgeon.

• Risks and Benefits of Peritoneal Pull Through Vaginoplasty.

• 4 Causes Responsible for Post Transgender Surgery Depression.

• Trans Women | The Ugly Truth Behind Spiro.

CITED RESEARCH

Yuan, N, Lee, G, Victor, R, & Garcia, M. “Medical, Gender Dysphoria, and Quality-of-Life Benefits of Pre-Vaginoplasty Bilateral Orchiectomy” The Journal of Urology September 1, 2021