Sparing a testis during vaginoplasty in male-to-female transsexuals: does it benefit our patients?

Abstract

Testosterone and its metabolite dihydrotestosterone are the libido hormones for the male, vital to sex drive and sexual function. Fear of loss of libido and orgasm is the main reason to retain at least one testis in male-to-female transsexuals during vaginoplasty. We report on four South American transsexual patients in whom we resected a remaining testis to illustrate the superfluity of retaining it. Because there are multiple reasons for castration, we advise that bilateral orchidectomy be performed in the course of sex reassignment surgery for male-to-female transsexuals.