Orchiectomy (Testicle Removal Surgery) in Thailand

What Is an Orchiectomy?

Orchiectomy, also known as testicle removal surgery, is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of one or both testicles.

This surgery may be recommended for various medical reasons, including testicular cancer, severe testicular injury, certain infections, or as part of gender affirmation surgery for transgender individuals. For trans women and non-binary individuals assigned male at birth, bilateral orchiectomy (removal of both testicles) eliminates the primary source of testosterone production, reducing the need for anti-androgen medications and supporting feminization.

There are three main approaches:

• Inguinal (radical) orchiectomy: Most common for suspected testicular cancers, involving removal via a groin incision. The entire testicle and spermatic cord are removed through a 4-6 cm incision.
• Scrotal (simple) orchiectomy: Used for gender-affirming surgery and non-cancer cases. A small incision is made in the scrotum, and the testicles are removed individually. This is the most common approach for transgender patients.
• Partial (testis-sparing) orchiectomy: An emerging option for small, benign tumors, preserving some testicular tissue for fertility and hormonal function. This is not used for gender-affirming purposes.

For gender-affirming care, most trans women choose scrotal orchiectomy as a standalone procedure or in combination with vaginoplasty. Some patients undergo orchiectomy months or years before deciding whether to pursue bottom surgery, as it immediately reduces testosterone and allows for lower estrogen doses.

Why Choose Thailand for This Surgery

Thailand stands out for its high-quality healthcare delivered with global standards.

• Specialized surgical volume: Leading hospitals perform dozens orchiectomy procedures monthly, with surgeons who have completed thousands of gender-affirming surgeries since the 1990s. This high procedural volume translates to refined techniques and lower complication rates.
• Cost savings with transparent pricing: Orchiectomy in Thailand costs $2,900-$4,500 including hospital stay, compared to $5,000-$13,000 in the US. All-inclusive packages covering surgery, accommodation, and follow-up cost $4,500-$6,000 total.
• Immediate availability: Surgery dates available within 1-2 weeks of consultation, compared to 6-18 month NHS wait times or US insurance pre-authorization delays. Many hospitals offer virtual consultations to streamline the process.
• JCI-accredited facilities: All partner hospitals maintain Joint Commission International accreditation, meeting the same standards as top Western medical centers while offering dedicated transgender care units.
• Experienced gender-affirming teams: Surgeons follow WPATH Standards of Care, provide culturally competent care, and coordinate hormone therapy adjustments with endocrinologists. Many hospitals offer in-house mental health support and peer counseling.

Partner Hospitals for Orchiectomy in Thailand

Kamol Cosmetic Hospital

JCI-accredited since 2015, Kamol Cosmetic Hospital is led by Dr. Kamol Pansritum, who has performed 5,000+ gender reassignment surgeries and 10,000+ related procedures since 1997. The hospital specializes exclusively in gender-affirming and cosmetic surgery.

Orchiectomy pricing: 105,000-126,000 THB ($2,918-$3,501) including 1-night hospital stay, post-operative appointments, and medications.

What sets Kamol apart: Dedicated transgender surgery center with luxury recovery apartments on the 7th floor, 24-hour nursing care, and coordination with vaginoplasty, facial feminization surgery, and MTF breast augmentation if desired later.

Consultations with Dr. Kamol cost $30 USD and surgery dates can be booked within days of consultation.

Yanhee International Hospital

Opened in 1994, Yanhee International Hospital is JCI-accredited and known for cosmetic procedures and gender-affirming surgery. 72% of international patients visit for cosmetic or transgender-related care.

Orchiectomy pricing: $3,200-$4,200 for bilateral orchiectomy with 1-night hospital stay.

Specializations: Comprehensive gender-affirming surgery program including MTF top surgery, tracheal shave, and combination procedures. Yanhee offers all-inclusive packages for patients combining multiple surgeries.

Located in Bangkok's Riverside district, Yanhee provides in-house translation services and dedicated international patient coordinators.

The Surgery and Recovery Process

Pre-Operative Assessment

Before surgery, you'll complete:

Medical evaluation: Physical exam, blood work, ECG, and chest X-ray to ensure you're healthy for general anesthesia. Most hospitals complete all pre-op testing the day before surgery.

Fertility counseling: Even for bilateral orchiectomy, sperm banking is strongly recommended if you have any interest in future biological parenthood. Thai fertility clinics charge $200-400 for sperm freezing with annual storage fees of $100-200.

Testicular prosthesis discussion (optional): Silicone or saline-filled testicular implants can be placed during orchiectomy for patients who desire maintained scrotal volume. Prostheses cost $500-1,000 additional and have low complication rates.

Surgical Procedure

Orchiectomy is performed under general or spinal anesthesia and takes 30-60 minutes:

Scrotal approach (most common for gender-affirming care): A 2-3 cm incision is made in the scrotum. Each testicle is mobilized and the spermatic cord is clamped, ligated, and cut. The testicles are removed and the incision is closed with dissolvable sutures. Optional testicular prostheses are placed before closure.

Inguinal approach (for cancer cases): A 4-6 cm incision is made in the groin. The entire spermatic cord is removed along with the testicle to prevent potential cancer spread. This approach is not typically used for gender-affirming orchiectomy.

Surgeons use meticulous hemostasis (bleeding control) to prevent hematoma (blood collection). The surgical site is closed in layers and a light compression dressing is applied.

Hospital Recovery

You'll stay in hospital for 1 night after orchiectomy for monitoring:

Day of surgery: After 2-3 hours in recovery, you're transferred to your private room. Pain is managed with oral medications. You can walk to the bathroom and eat a light meal the evening of surgery.

Post-op day 1: The surgical team checks your incision, removes any drains if placed, and ensures you can urinate comfortably. Most patients are discharged in the afternoon with oral pain medications, antibiotics, and detailed wound care instructions.

Recovery Timeline

Days 1-3: Rest is essential with minimal activity. Apply ice packs for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours to reduce swelling. Sleep with a pillow between your legs for support. Showering is allowed after 24-48 hours, keeping the incision dry.

Days 4-7: Gradual increase in light activities like short walks. Continue pain management as needed (most patients transition to acetaminophen only by day 5). Bruising and swelling peak around day 3-5, then gradually improve.

Days 8-14: Return to desk work and light daily activities. Avoid heavy lifting (over 10 lbs), strenuous exercise, and sexual activity. You'll have a follow-up appointment around day 7-10 to check wound healing.

Weeks 3-4: Most patients resume all normal activities including exercise. Sexual activity can resume after surgeon clearance, typically week 3-4. Some mild swelling may persist for 4-6 weeks.

Months 1-3: Hormonal changes become more apparent as testosterone drops to near-zero levels. Work with your endocrinologist to adjust estrogen and monitor your hormone levels. Many patients notice improved breast development, softer skin, and reduced body hair growth.

Long-term: Annual checkups with your primary care physician to monitor bone density (testosterone and estrogen both affect bone health) and cardiovascular health.

Trip Cost Breakdown

Budget $4,500-$6,000 total for your orchiectomy trip to Thailand:

• Surgery at Kamol or Yanhee: $2,900-$4,500
• Round-trip flights from US/UK/Australia: $800-$1,500
• Accommodation (9 nights at $40-80/night): $360-$720
• Meals (10 days at $25-40/day): $250-$400
• Travel insurance with medical coverage: $100-200
• Ground transportation (airport transfers, hospital visits): $100-150
• Sperm banking (optional): $200-400
• Testicular prosthesis (optional): $500-1,000
• Miscellaneous (SIM card, medications, activities): $100-200

Total: $4,910-$9,070 (or $4,410-$7,570 without prosthesis)

Most patients budget 9-10 days total: arrive 1-2 days before surgery for consultations and pre-op testing, surgery on day 3, hospital discharge on day 4, recovery days 5-8 at your hotel with light activities, final check-up day 9, fly home day 10.

You can extend your stay to combine orchiectomy with recovery tourism—many patients enjoy exploring Bangkok's markets, temples, and food scene during their recovery period while adhering to activity restrictions.

Orchiectomy as Part of Gender-Affirming Journey

Many trans women choose orchiectomy as a standalone procedure rather than immediately pursuing vaginoplasty. This approach offers several benefits:

Reduced medication burden: Eliminating testosterone production means you can stop taking spironolactone or other anti-androgens, which often cause side effects like frequent urination, low blood pressure, and fatigue. Many patients also reduce their estrogen dosage while maintaining feminization.

Lower urgency for bottom surgery: Without testicles producing testosterone, there's less pressure to schedule vaginoplasty before you're emotionally and financially ready. Some trans women find orchiectomy provides sufficient genital relief and choose not to pursue further surgery.

Simpler procedure and recovery: Orchiectomy takes 30-60 minutes under general anesthesia with 1-night hospital stay and 5-7 days recovery. Compare this to vaginoplasty's 3-6 hours surgery, 5-7 nights hospitalization, and 3-4 weeks recovery before flying home.

Fertility preservation timing: Orchiectomy provides a clear deadline for sperm banking decisions. Many patients choose to freeze sperm before surgery to preserve future fertility options without the pressure of simultaneous vaginoplasty planning.

Cost management: Splitting gender-affirming surgeries allows you to manage costs over time. Orchiectomy costs $4,500-$6,000 total including travel, while vaginoplasty packages run $15,000-$25,000.

Patients who later decide to pursue vaginoplasty should wait 8-12 weeks after orchiectomy for full tissue healing. Most surgeons prefer this staged approach as it reduces surgical complexity and recovery time.

Combining Orchiectomy with Other Procedures

Some patients choose to combine orchiectomy with other surgeries during the same trip:

Orchiectomy + Tracheal shave: Reduces recovery time to one trip. Tracheal shave takes 30-45 minutes and adds $1,500-$2,500 to surgery costs. Both are relatively minor procedures that can be performed together safely.

Orchiectomy + Facial feminization surgery: Kamol Hospital offers comprehensive FFS packages. While recovery timelines overlap, facial swelling and orchiectomy restrictions are compatible. Total package costs $10,000-$25,000 depending on FFS procedures.

Orchiectomy + Breast augmentation: Can be performed simultaneously with 1-night hospital stay. Combined cost $5,500-$8,500. Recovery requires avoiding chest strain (which aligns with orchiectomy activity restrictions).

Orchiectomy + Vaginoplasty: Orchiectomy is the first step of MTF bottom surgery and is included in vaginoplasty pricing ($12,000-$18,000 at Thai hospitals). This is the most efficient approach if you're certain about bottom surgery.

Discuss combination procedures during your consultation to understand surgical sequencing, extended recovery timelines, and package pricing. Not all combinations are medically advisable, especially for patients over 50 or with medical risk factors.