Choosing Castration

A Thematic Analysis of the Perceived Pros and Cons of Genital Injuries and Ablation by Men Who Voluntarily Sought Castration

Bibliographic Data

ID21292469
AuthorsErik Wibowo (0000-0002-5309-1490, University of Otago, corresponding author), Samantha T S Wong (0000-0001-7682-2738, McGill University), Richard J Wassersug (0000-0001-7028-7615, University of British Columbia), Thomas Wayne Johnson (0000-0002-2613-9217, California State University, Chico)
Year2023
Volume52
Issue3
Pages1183-1194
Publication date2023-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArchives of Sexual Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0004-0002 • E-ISSN: 1573-2800
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s10508-022-02434-0
PMID36327012
OpenAlexW4308018594
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited25

Some men elect castration voluntarily without any clear medical reason. Here we aim to document their perception of genital ablation and injuries to better understand their motivations for castration. Participants completed an online survey with open-ended questions related to their perspectives on castration, genital ablation, and genital injuries. Thematic analyses were performed on the responses to these questions. Responses were obtained from 208 male castrated individuals (51.9 ± 16.0 years old). Among these, 154 were physically castrated, 36 chemically castrated, and 18 nullified (had testicles and penis removed). The majority learned about castration from media (55.8%) or animal castration (23.4%). The circumstances when they first wanted to be castrated varied greatly. Most (46.3%) wished to achieve an idealized self motivated by gender dysphoria, body integrity dysphoria, or wanting to be conspicuously non-sexual. The top themes we identified related to the respondents’ perceptions of the pros of genital ablation were physical appearance, psychological benefit (i.e., a “eunuch calm”), and being non-sexual. Conversely, themes related to the cons they saw in having no genitals ranged from no disadvantages to loss of sexual/reproductive capability. Some perceived performing genital injury as a step toward ultimate castration or nullification. The respondents similarly varied in whether they saw any loss in having non-functional testicles. Perceptions in this regard appeared to differ depending on whether the respondents were taking supplemental androgens post-castration. Motivations for castration vary greatly between individuals. Clinicians need to understand men’s diverse perceptions on castration in order to provide appropriate care for individuals with strong castration desire

Biology · Castration · Gynecology · Hormone · Perception · Qualitative research · Sex organ · Sexual arousal · Sexual behavior · Thematic analysis · Clinical Psychology · Internal Medicine · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Psychology · Sexual function and dysfunction studies · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology

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