Just a thought...

[CJ]

Hi all,

I told my colleague Patricia this week that Gracie is now a member of her sex. We chatted about transsexualism for a few minutes and then Pat threw this question at me (totally seriously, I have to add): "You know when someone gets a limb amputated, they sometimes say they can feel as though that limb were somehow still there; does a transsexual woman sometimes feel as though she has a, um, 'phantom member'?" The question teased at my brain. I told her I'd put it to the folks on the forum, see what they think or what they know. I'll admit I find it intriguing. What think you all?

Love,
CJ

[Lydia]

Hi CJ,

That is a fascinating question, but answerable only by someone who has gone through the surgery and is willing to talk about it in frank anatomical terms.

The actual surgery is quite complex, and how much is left, i.e., recycled, and how much is removed is not published anywhere I am able or desirous of finding. I did once run into a YouTube video of an actual surgical procedure, but it was from some years ago, and it was rough and very bloody. Not for the squeamish.

I have tremendous respect for anyone courageous and determined enough to have undergone this surgery. The need must be truly overwhelming.

Hugs,

Lydia

[KathyB]

I am certainly neither an expert, a surgeon, nor a TG woman. But I have a few thoughts on this subject I'd like to share. After months of hormone treatment, the male drive is almost completely diminished, if not altogether gone. I would expect the majority of psychological and physical motivations for enjoying the experience of male excitement are diminished as well. Although there are different styles and techniques of surgery, I believe most preserve a certain amount of erectile nerve and muscle tissue to form a female clitoris, while inverting the external skin to form the neo-vagina. It generally requires two or three follow-up surgeries over several months to complete the entire cosmetic portions of the process. By the time a trans-woman has completed the entire process, her mind and genitals have been almost completely female for two or more years. I'd guess other than some possible fond memories, there's nothing 'phantom' left to experience.

But that's just my personal opinion based on lots of reading.

[Virginia]

Unless the individual was wrongly interpreting their desire to transition, no there is no Phantom member. Most if not all, hated "the member" and are glad it is gone. I am sure there are those who, pardon the pun, "fall through the cracks" even following the required procedures in the US to transition.

I know from personal experience of having supported someone from their one year as female to being there with her when she first woke-up from her surgery, she was a woman before, during and after. All she had was a little surgery to remove something that was really not suppose to be there. She affirms that if the surgery is done correctly the orgasm changes from male orgasm to female orgasm and I can assure you there is a tremendous difference in the feelings generated!!! I'll take a female orgasm any time over a male orgasm.

No, if the person transitioning should have been physically female but has this extension that can be surgically removed, there is nothing phantom left and I don't think they care about it in the least!

Virginia

[DonnaT]

A post started in 2004 on Roses forum tried to get some kind of consensus about this from the TS members.

One person reported she did feel as though it was still present, two or three said no. No one else chimed in. Don't know why, as they talk about everything else.

So some do some don't.

It may depend on how long they've been on hormones that eventually makes it impossible to get an erection. The one with the phantom penis did a fast track to GRS.