HLTguest, in response you original question, I spoke w/two professors regarding your post and questions (I actually showed one the post).
I'll just write what both said from a completely third party prospective. Please take into consideration that I'm in a relatively well known, medical schools, and these physcians are experts in their fields and beyoned all others, being honest in their response.
Professor 1, board certified endocrinologist (MD):
He first suggested that most important thing for you as an individual to do is to visit a psychiatrist. While your desires are great, and whole hearted - a decision this grave (no matter how sure you are) of this magnitude should, and must be discussed with a professional medical, therapist. In regards to hormonal urges, they would not go away for quite a while (thus you'll still think about sex). Physiologically, loss of the testes/gonads does result in possilble reflex gynecomastia as well as decreased muscle mass, increased voice tone, personality/psychological changes, dermatologic problems and possible cardiovascular problems.
Note, this is a physician.
Professor 2, board certified family practitioner (MD):
Also, first thing suggested was psychotherapy. Note, they arent saying that you're crazy, or unjustified, but that before making any decision like this, speaking with a board certified psychiatrist if just a safe, intelligent thing to do. Next, the consequences of doing something like this could drastically affect your behavior, mentality, and life span. The long term consequences of castration have been doccumented many times over, and are increasing associated with shorter life spans, increased neurological deficits, coginitive decline, as well as predisposition for schizophrenia and personality disorders (note the above information came from studies and previous articles, this doesnt mean this will happen to you, but it can).
The second physician also didnt understand the relationship between humanitarian work and castration. While you may feel that it's "annoying" to live with thoughts of sex, it wont get in the way of your work - especially if you're in africa distributing AIDS medication. The medical detriments of making such an irreversible decision are no way near the value of "not having to worry".
That's what the physcians said, and their opinions. Take their advice or not, they are doctors and know more about medicine than most people in their fields. They only care about your well being, and both stated that you'll probably do it regardless of what people tell you because you're fixated/obsessed with that notion (or maybe not). The last thing they both said was that there is a 90 percent liklihood that you just want attention (I dont know if this is true or not either).
Lastly, on a personal note I resent the statement that "you're not in a third world country if you're on a computer" - you've gotta be really ignorant to think third world countries dont have computers. India is considered a "third world country". I'm from india, we have computers everywhere. Most third world countries have computers, have cybercafe's, and have some access to modern technology (albeit too expensive to afford), I spent 6 months in Kenya, i was at the cyber cafe once a week taking care of busines and email - it cost USD for 3 hours of use.
That answers your question specifically. Do what you want. I dont think you're going to get any more, any better information anywhere. Honestly, I think you should get the info, stop looking for more, see a psychiatrist, discuss your ideas seriously (just for mental health, and discuss your options - he/she may even have a better alternative), and get back to your humanitarian work.
This thread wont help you anymore. If anything it'll make you feel worse and harden your resolve to do something which may not be a great idea. Please for your own sake, delete the site off your bookmarks (as you're probably not losing your hair), go out, help some people, exercise, read, eat, study, when you're not. It'll make yours and the lives of those around you better. You seem pretty genuine so g'luck and I hope things work out.
