In this procedure, the surgeon removes the testicles with or without the scrotum. This procedure stops the production of testosterone, which allows patients to adjust their doses of anti-androgens and estrogen. Getting an orchiectomy doesn’t mean that genital confirmation surgery is out of the question in the future — some patients take a “slow as you go” approach. Your surgeon may ask if you plan to stop with orchiectomy or if you’re considering other procedures in the future (it’s fine to change your mind!) because this could affect the optimal surgical approach.
Some surgeons have strict requirements when it comes to getting clearance for ochiectomy. Once you’ve had this procedure, you will not be able to produce sperm — so if you think you might want to contribute your genes to someone in the future, you should make arrangements to bank your sperm for future use.
This section is part of a larger piece, Trans Summer School: The Wide World of Surgical Transition. To read the whole piece or another section, click here!
