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==Overview==
'''Castration'''  is any action, [[surgery|surgical]], [[chemical castration|chemical]], or otherwise, by which a [[male]] loses the functions of the [[testes]] or a [[female]] loses the functions of the [[ovary|ovaries]].  In common usage the term is usually applied to males, although as a medical term it is applied to both males and females.  For more information about female castration, see [[oophorectomy]].


 
==Castration in Medicine==
'''Castration''' (also referred to as: [[gelding]], [[neutering]], [[fixing]], [[Inguinal orchiectomy|orchiectomy]], orchidectomy, and [[oophorectomy]]) is any action, [[surgery|surgical]], [[chemical castration|chemical]], or otherwise, by which a [[male]] loses the functions of the [[testes]] or a [[female]] loses the functions of the [[ovary|ovaries]].  In common usage the term is usually applied to males, although as a medical term it is applied to both males and females.  For more information about female castration, see [[oophorectomy]].
 
== Castration in humans ==
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Castration.jpg|right|thumb|The procedure of castration as punishment during Middle-ages]] -->
The practice of castration has its roots before recorded human history.<ref>
{{cite web
  | last =
  | first =
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors =
  | title = On Target, July 27 2003
  | work = On Target (newsletter)
  | publisher = Target Health, Inc.
  |date=2003-07-27
  | url = http://www.targethealth.com/ontarget/2003/07272003.htm
  | format =
  | doi =
  | accessdate =  2007-04-30}} Section II: HISTORY OF MEDICINE
</ref>  Castration was frequently used in certain cultures of [[Europe]], the [[Middle East]], [[India]], [[Africa]] and [[China]], for religious or social reasons. After battles in some cases, winners castrated their captives or the corpses of the defeated to symbolise their victory and 'seize' their power. Castrated men &mdash; [[eunuch]]s &mdash; were often admitted to special social classes and were used particularly to staff [[bureaucracy|bureaucracies]] and palace households: in particular, the [[harem]]. Castration also figured in a number of religious castration cults. Other religions, for example [[Judaism]] and [[Islam]], were strongly opposed to the practice. The [[Leviticus]] [[Holiness code]], for example, specifically excludes eunuchs or any males with defective genitals from the priesthood, just as castrated animals are excluded from [[sacrifice]].
 
Eunuchs in China have been known to usurp power in many eras of [[History of China|Chinese history]], most notably in the [[Han_Dynasty|Later Han]], late [[Tang Dynasty|Tang]] and late [[Ming Dynasty|Ming Dynasties]]. There are similar recorded Middle Eastern events.
 
In ancient times, castration often involved the total removal of all the [[male genitalia]]. This involved great danger of death due to [[bleeding]] or infection and, in some states, such as the [[Byzantine Empire]], was seen as the same as a death sentence. Removal of only the testicles had much less risk.
 
In China, castration of a male who entered the caste of eunuchs during imperial times involved the removal of the whole genitalia, that is, the removal of the testes, penis, and scrotum. The removed organs were returned to the eunuch to be interred with him when he died so that, upon rebirth, he could become a whole man again. The penis, testicles, and scrotum were euphemistically termed ''bǎo'' (寶) in Mandarin Chinese, which literally means 'precious treasure'. These were preserved in alcohol and kept in a pottery jar by the eunuch. <ref>[http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/84/12/4324#SEC2 The eunuchs of the Chinese court]</ref>
 
====Medical====
[[Testicular cancer]] is generally treated by surgical removal of the cancerous testicle(s) ([[Inguinal orchiectomy|orchiectomy]]), often followed by [[radiation]] or [[chemotherapy]]. Unless both testicles are cancerous, only one is removed.
[[Testicular cancer]] is generally treated by surgical removal of the cancerous testicle(s) ([[Inguinal orchiectomy|orchiectomy]]), often followed by [[radiation]] or [[chemotherapy]]. Unless both testicles are cancerous, only one is removed.


Either surgical removal of both testicles or [[chemical castration]] may be carried out in the case of [[prostate cancer]] <ref>[http://www.malecare.com MaleCare.com]</ref>, as [[hormone]] [[testosterone]]-depletion treatment to slow down the cancer. Similarly, testosterone-depletion treatment (either surgical removal of both testicles or [[chemical castration]]) is used to greatly reduce sexual drive or interest in those with sexual drives, obsessions, or behaviors, or any combination of those that may be considered deviant. Castration in humans has been proposed, and sometimes used, as a method of birth control in certain poorer regions.
Either surgical removal of both testicles or [[chemical castration]] may be carried out in the case of [[prostate cancer]] <ref>[http://www.malecare.com MaleCare.com]</ref>, as [[hormone]] [[testosterone]]-depletion treatment to slow down the cancer. Similarly, testosterone-depletion treatment (either surgical removal of both testicles or [[chemical castration]]) is used to greatly reduce sexual drive or interest in those with sexual drives, obsessions, or behaviors, or any combination of those that may be considered deviant. Castration in humans has been proposed, and sometimes used, as a method of birth control in certain poorer regions.


Male-to-female [[transsexual]]s often undergo orchiectomy, as do some other [[transgender|transgendered]] people.  Orchiectomy may be performed as a part of more general [[sex reassignment surgery]], either before or during other procedures, but it may also be performed on someone who does not desire, or cannot afford, further surgery.
Orchiectomy may be performed as a part of sex reassignment surgery.
 
====As punishment====
Involuntary castration also appears in the history of warfare, sometimes used by one side to torture or demoralize their enemies.  It was also practiced to extinguish opposing male lineages and thus allow the victor to sexually possess the defeated group's women.
 
[[Tamerlane]] was recorded to have castrated [[Armenia]]n prisoners of war who had fought as allies of the Ottoman [[Sultan Bayezid I]], while others were buried alive.{{Fact|date=July 2007}}
 
[[Edward Gibbon]]'s famous work ''Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'' reports castration of defeated foes at the hands of the [[Normans]]. Castration has also been used in modern conflicts, as the [[Janjaweed]] militiamen currently (as of [[2005]]) attacking citizens of the [[Darfur]] region in [[Sudan]], often castrating villagers and leaving them to bleed to death <ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48943-2005Mar19.html In Darfur, My Camera Was Not Nearly Enough]</ref>.
 
[[Sima Qian]], the famous Chinese Historian, was castrated by order of the Emperor of China for dissent. 
 
Another famous victim of castration was the medieval French philosopher, scholar, teacher, and (later) monk [[Pierre Abélard]], castrated by relatives of his lover, [[Heloise (student of Abelard)|Héloïse]].
 
[[Wimund (bishop)|Bishop Wimund]], a 12th Century English adventurer and invader of the Scottish coast, was also castrated.
 
When [[Zheng He]] was captured by the Ming Army as a child in 1381 he was castrated; he later became an admiral, who led a large fleet on several voyages of exploration.
 
"Voluntary" chemical or surgical castration has been in practice in many countries&mdash;reports are available from American, Scandinavian, and European countries, in particular, for the past eighty-plus years (chemical for the last thirty or so years)&mdash;as an option for treatment for people who have broken laws of a sexual nature, allowing them to return to the community from otherwise lengthy detentions {{Fact|date=April 2007}}. The effectiveness and ethics of this treatment are heavily debated.
 
A ''temporary'' chemical castration has been studied and developed as a preventive measure and [[punishment]] for several repeated [[sex crime]]s, such as [[rape]] or other [[sexual assault|sexually related violence]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/biology/b103/f02/web1/kamlin.html|title=Chemical Castration: The Benefits and Disadvantages Intrinsic to Injecting Male Pedophiliacs with Depo-Provera|author=Katherine Amlin|accessdate=2007-06-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/04-97/04-27-97/a09wn032.htm|title='Chemical castration' OK'd for Montana inmates|publisher= N.Y. Times News Service|date=1997|accessdate=2007-06-13}}</ref>  Chemical castration was [[Alan Turing]]'s punishment when he was convicted of "acts of gross indecency" ([[homosexual]] acts) in 1952; it resulted indirectly in his [[suicide]].


Physical castration appears to be highly effective as, historically, it results in a 20-year re-offense rate of less than 2.3% vs. 80% in the untreated control group, according to a large 1963 study involving a total of 1036 sex offenders by the German researcher A. Langelüddeke, among others <ref>http://www.brainphysics.com/research/ocpara_bradford99.html "THE PARAPHILIAS, OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE SPECTRUM DISORDER, AND THE TREATMENT OF SEXUALLY DEVIANT BEHAVIORS" by J. M. W. Bradford</ref>, much lower than what was otherwise expected. Compare to overall [[Sex offender#Recidivism rates|sex offender recidivism rates]].
====Chemical Castration====
 
Chemical castration is a form of temporary castration caused by hormonal medication. In the case of chemical castration, ongoing regular injections of [[anti-androgen]]s are administered.
====Sexual====
 
Castration play is one of many [[fetishes]] within the [[BDSM]] community although it is not as well known by the mainstream. In castration play, one simulates the effects of castration without going all the way to castration.
 
====For religious reasons====
In Europe, when women were not permitted to [[singing|sing]] in church or cathedral choirs in the Roman Catholic Church, boys were sometimes castrated to prevent their voices breaking at [[puberty]] and to develop a special high [[Register (music)|voice]]. The first documents mentioning [[castrato|castrati]] are Italian church records from the 1550s.<ref name="one">John Rosselli, "Castrato" article in ''The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians'', 2001.</ref> In the baroque music era these singers were highly appreciated by Opera composers as well. Famous castrati include [[Farinelli]], [[Senesino]], [[Giovanni Carestini|Carestini]], and [[Caffarelli (castrato)|Caffarelli]]. The last castrato was [[Alessandro Moreschi]] (1858-1922) who served in the [[Sistine Chapel Choir]].<ref>[http://www.radix.net/~dalila/singers/castrati-allmouth.html "All Mouth and No Trousers" from The Guardian, Aug 5 2002].</ref> However, in the late 1800s, the Roman Catholic Church, which had always considered castration to be mutilation of the body and therefore a severe sin, condemned the production of castrati; their castrations had been performed clandestinely in contravention of Church law.{{fact|date=January 2008}}
 
A number of [[Cult (religion)|religious cult]]s have included castration as a central theme of their practice. These include:
 
* The cult of [[Cybele]], in which devotees castrated themselves in ecstatic emulation of [[Attis]]: see [[Galli|Gallus]].
* Some followers of early Christianity considered castration as an acceptable way to counter sinful desires of the flesh. [[Origen]] is reported by Eusebius <ref>[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf201.iii.xi.viii.html NPNF2-01. Eusebius Pamphilius: Church History, Life of Constantine, Oration in Praise of Constantine]</ref> to have castrated himself based on his reading of the [[Gospel of Matthew]] {{bibleverse-nb||Matthew|19:12|}}, although there is some doubt concerning this story (Schaff{{Fact|date=March 2007}} considers the account genuine but cites Baur et al.{{Fact|date=March 2007}} in opposition). [[Boston Corbett]] was likewise inspired by this same verse to castrate himself (Corbett was the 19th-century American soldier who is generally believed to have fired the shot that killed [[John Wilkes Booth]].) Bishop [[Melito of Sardis]] (d. ''ca'' 180) was a [[eunuch]], according to the church history of [[Eusebius of Caesarea]], though, significantly the word "virgin" was substituted in [[Rufino]]'s Latin translation of Eusebius.
* [[Skoptsy]]
* [[Heaven's Gate (religious group)|Heaven's Gate]]
 
While {{bibleverse-lb||Deuteronomy|23:1|}} expels castrated men from the assembly of Israel,
{{bibleverse-lb||Isaiah|56:3|}}, gives a much more accepting view of eunuchs, and in [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_%28King_James%29/Acts#Chapter_8 Acts 8:34-39], a eunuch is baptized.
 
===Chemical===
{{main article|Chemical castration}}
 
In the case of chemical castration, ongoing regular injections of [[anti-androgen]]s are required.


Chemical castration seems to have a greater effect on bone density than physical castration.  Since the development of [[teriparatide]], this severe bone loss has been able to be reversed in nearly every case. At this time there is a limitation on the use of this medication to 24 months until the long-term use is better evaluated.   
Chemical castration seems to have a greater effect on bone density than physical castration.  Since the development of [[teriparatide]], this severe bone loss has been able to be reversed in nearly every case. At this time there is a limitation on the use of this medication to 24 months until the long-term use is better evaluated.   
With the advent of chemical castration, physical castration is not generally recommended by the medical community unless medically necessary or desired.


=== Medical consequences ===
=== Medical consequences ===
A subject of castration who is castrated before the onset of [[puberty]] will retain a high voice, non-muscular build, and small genitals. They may well be taller than average, as the production of sex hormones in puberty—particularly testosterone—stops long bone growth. The person may not develop [[pubic hair]] and will have a small sex drive or none at all. Castrations after the onset of puberty will typically reduce the sex drive considerably or eliminate it altogether. Also castrated people are automatically [[sterile]], because the [[testes]] (for males) and [[ovaries]] (for females) produce [[sex cells]] needed for [[sexual reproduction]]. Once removed the subject is infertile. The voice does not change. Some castrates report mood changes, such as [[clinical depression|depression]] or a more serene outlook on life. Body strength and muscle mass can decrease somewhat. Body hair sometimes may decrease.  Castration prevents [[male pattern baldness]] if it is done before hair is lost; however, castration will not restore hair growth after hair has already been lost due to male pattern baldness. <ref>[http://www.keratin.com/ac/baldnessbiology/baldnessbiochemistry/515baldnessbiochemistryreference.shtml Hamilton JB. Effect of castration in adolescent and young adult males upon further changes in the proportion of bare and hairy scalp. J Clin Endocrinol metab 1960; 20:1309-1315.]</ref>  Castration eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.   
A subject of castration who is castrated before the onset of [[puberty]] will retain a high voice, non-muscular build, and small genitals. They may well be taller than average, as the production of sex hormones in puberty—particularly testosterone—stops long bone growth. The person may not develop [[pubic hair]] and will have a small sex drive or none at all. Castrations after the onset of puberty will typically reduce the sex drive considerably or eliminate it altogether. Also castrated people are automatically [[sterile]], because the [[testes]] (for males) and [[ovaries]] (for females) produce [[sex cells]] needed for [[sexual reproduction]]. Once removed the subject is infertile. The voice does not change. Some castrates report mood changes, such as [[clinical depression|depression]] or a more serene outlook on life. Body strength and muscle mass can decrease somewhat. Body hair sometimes may decrease.  Castration prevents [[male pattern baldness]] if it is done before hair is lost; however, castration will not restore hair growth after hair has already been lost due to male pattern baldness. <ref>[http://www.keratin.com/ac/baldnessbiology/baldnessbiochemistry/515baldnessbiochemistryreference.shtml Hamilton JB. Effect of castration in adolescent and young adult males upon further changes in the proportion of bare and hairy scalp. J Clin Endocrinol metab 1960; 20:1309-1315.]</ref>  Castration eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.   
Historically, eunuchs who additionally underwent a [[penectomy]] reportedly suffered from urinary incontinence associated with the removal of the penis, and they had their own specialist doctors. <ref>http://www.medspe.fr/site/templates/template.php?identifiant_article=2166&surlignage=2&PHPSESSID=bd0a2427de5e5665b9c541ca8a6ecc71</ref>


Without Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), typical symptoms (similar to those experienced by menopausal women) include hot flashes; gradual bone-density loss, resulting in osteopenia or osteoporosis; potential weight gain or redistribution of body fat to the hips/chest. Replacement of testosterone in the form of gel, patches, or injections can largely reverse these effects, although breast enlargement has also been reported as a possible side effect of testosterone usage <ref>http://www.healthandage.com/public/health-center/28/article/3047/gm=20!gid2=2824 "HRT for Men Is Risky, Too" by Robert W. Griffith, MD.  </ref>.
Without Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), typical symptoms (similar to those experienced by menopausal women) include hot flashes; gradual bone-density loss, resulting in osteopenia or osteoporosis; potential weight gain or redistribution of body fat to the hips/chest. Replacement of testosterone in the form of gel, patches, or injections can largely reverse these effects, although breast enlargement has also been reported as a possible side effect of testosterone usage <ref>http://www.healthandage.com/public/health-center/28/article/3047/gm=20!gid2=2824 "HRT for Men Is Risky, Too" by Robert W. Griffith, MD.  </ref>.


== Castration in psychoanalysis and literary theory ==
==References==
 
{{Reflist|2}}
The concept of castration plays an important role in [[psychoanalysis]]; see, e.g., [[castration anxiety]].
 
Castration also plays an important role in psychoanalytically-influenced literary theory, for example [[Harold Bloom]]'s [[The Anxiety of Influence]]. Poetry can also be seen as castrating, with male poets either being castrated through being outdone by their male predecessors (as in Bloom), or male poets (and even mere readers) being castrated by the force of the female sublime as conveyed to them through poetry (as in Maxwell). Catherine Maxwell identifies [[Philomela (princess of Athens)|Philomela]] as being castrated by Tereus when he rapes and mutilates her.
 
== Castration in veterinary practice ==
Castration is commonly performed on domestic animals not intended for breeding.
Domestic animals are usually castrated in order to avoid unwanted or uncontrolled [[biological reproduction|reproduction]]; to reduce or prevent other manifestations of sexual behaviour such as territorial behaviour or aggression (eg. fighting between groups of entire (uncastrated) males of a species); or to reduce other consequences of sexual behaviour that may make animal husbandry more difficult, such as boundary/fence/enclosure destruction when attempting to get to nearby females of the species.
 
Male [[horse]]s are usually castrated ([[gelding|gelded]]) using [[emasculator]]s, because [[Stallion (horse)|stallion]]s are rather aggressive and troublesome. The same applies to male [[mule]]s, although they are sterile.  Male [[cattle]] are castrated to improve muscling and docility for use as [[oxen]].
 
[[Selective breeding|Breeding]] individuals are kept [[entire (animal)|entire]] and used for breeding: they may fetch higher prices when sold.
 
[[Livestock]] may be castrated when used for food in order to increase growth or weight or both of individual male animals and because of the undesirable taste and odor of the meat from sexually mature males.  In [[domestic pig]]s the taint is caused by [[androstenone]] and [[skatole]] concentrations stored in the fat tissues of the animal after sexual maturity.<ref name = "GEN">[http://mark.asci.ncsu.edu/nsif/99proc/squires.htm Genetics of Boar Taint: Implications for the Future Use of Intact Males]</ref>  It is released when the fat is heated and has a distinct odor and flavor that is widely considered unpalatable to consumers.<ref name = "PSU>[http://www.research.psu.edu/ipo/faculty_staff/disclosures/Greger_97_1751.html Genetic Inhibition of Boar Odor in Meat]</ref>  Consequently, in commercial meat production, male pigs are either castrated shortly after birth or slaughtered before they reach sexual maturity.<ref name = "PSU/> Recent research in Brazil has shown that castration of pigs is unnecessary because most pigs do not have the 'boar taint'. This is due to many breeds of pigs simply not having the heredity for the boar taint and the fact that pigs are normally slaughtered at a young market weight.<ref>[http://sugarmtnfarm.com/blog/2005/11/to-cut-or-not.html Sugar Mountain Farm: To Cut or Not?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
 
In the case of pets, castration is usually called [[neutering]], and is encouraged to prevent overpopulation of the community by unwanted animals, and to reduced certain diseases such as prostate disease and testicular cancer in male dogs (oophorectomy in female pets is often called [[Neutering#Females_.28spaying.29|spaying]]).  Testicular cancer is rare in dogs, but prostate problems are somewhat common in unaltered male dogs when they get older.  Neutered individuals have a much lower risk of developing prostate problems in comparison.  Unaltered male cats are more likely to develop an obstruction in their urethra, preventing them from urinating to some degree; however neutering does not seem to make much difference statistically because many neutered toms also have the problem.
A specialized vocabulary has arisen for neutered animals of given species:
 
<!--Please add in alphabetical order-->
*[[Pig#Pig vocabulary|Barrow]] (pig)
*[[Bullock]] (cattle)
*[[Capon]] (chicken)
*[[Dinmont]] (sheep, goat)
*[[Gelding]] (horse)
*[[Gib]] (cat, ferret)
*[[Havier]] (deer)
*[[Lapin]] (rabbit)
*[[Stag (castrated cattle)|Stag]] (cattle, sheep)
*[[Steer]] (cattle)
*[[Wether]] (sheep, goat)
 
Methods of [[veterinary medicine|veterinary]] castration include instant [[surgical]] removal, the use of an [[elastrator]] tool to secure a band around the testicles that disrupts the blood supply, the use of a [[Burdizzo]] tool or [[emasculator]]s to crush the [[spermatic cord]]s and disrupt the blood supply, [[pharmacological]] [[Injection (medicine)|injection]]s and [[implant]]s and [[immunological]] techniques to [[inoculation|inoculate]] the animal against its own sexual [[hormones]].
 
Certain animals, like [[horse]]s and [[swine]], are usually surgically treated with a scrotal castration (which can be done with the animal standing while sedated and after local anaesthetic has been applied), while others, like [[dog]]s and [[cat]]s, are anaesthetised and recumbent when surgically castrated with a pre-scrotal incision in the case of dogs, or a pre-scrotal or scrotal incision used for cats.
 
In veterinary practice an "open" castration refers to a castration in which the inguinal tunic is incised and not sutured.  A "closed" castration refers to when the procedure is performed so that the inguinal tunic is sutured together after incision.
 
==Miscellaneous==
 
*[[Orthodox Judaism]]{{Fact|date=December 2007}} and [[Islam]]{{Fact|date=December 2007}} forbid the castration of either humans or animals. In ancient Judaism, castrated animals were deemed unfit for [[sacrifice]] in the [[Temple in Jerusalem|Temple]] (Lv. 22:24); Castrated members of the priestly caste were forbidden to enter certain parts of the Temple, to approach the altar, or to make sacrifices, although they could eat their share of the offerings (Lv. 21:16&ndash;24).  Traditionally, no eunuch is allowed to convert to Judaism (Dt. 23:2, or Dt. 23:1, NRSV).
*Castration is used as a treatment for [[prostate cancer]].[http://www.prostate-cancer-institute.org/prostate-cancer-treatment/hormonal-therapy.html]
*Some [[parasite|parasitic]] [[nematode]]s chemically castrate their hosts, see [[microphallus]].
 
==See also==
*[[Castrato]], a castrated male singer
*[[Eunuch]]
*[[Birth control]]
*[[Spaying and neutering]] (for animals)
*[[Castration anxiety]]
*[[List of transgender-related topics]]
*[[Neuticles]]
*[[Ashley X]]
*[[Gelding]]
*[[Emasculators]]
 
==External links==
* [http://www.rotten.com/library/sex/castration/eunuch/ Castration Through the Ages]
* [http://www.geocities.com/sherrylanina/Castration.html Questions often asked about castration] by Sherry
* [http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/84/12/4324 The Journal of Clinical Endrocrinology and Metabolism]
* [http://www.animaldignity.org/ Organization for Animal Dignity] Animal Protection Organization against castration
* [http://www.neutering.org Neutering NOT Org] Website arguing against the castration of domestic animals
* [http://www.eunuch.org Eunuch.org] Website for eunuchs and people with castration fetishes/fantasies. Includes a database of erotic stories, discussion forums, and more.
* [http://www.elastrator.com/ Elastrator]
* [http://www.projects.roslin.ac.uk/lean_growth/refs/ref20.html Boar taint in pigs selected for components of efficient lean growth rate]
 
=== On religious castration ===
 
*Susan Elliott, ''Cutting Too Close for Comfort: Paul's Letter to the Galatians in Its Anatolian Cultic Context '' Reviews in Review of Biblical Literature [http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=4157]


==Notes==
==Notes==
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[[category:Castration| ]]
[[category:Castration| ]]
[[Category:Torture]]
[[Category:Surgical procedures]]
[[Category:Surgical procedures]]
[[Category:Surgery]]
[[Category:Surgery]]
[[bg:Кастрация]]
[[cs:Kastrát]]
[[da:Kastration]]
[[de:Kastration]]
[[es:Castración]]
[[eo:Kastro]]
[[fr:Castration]]
[[hr:Kastracija]]
[[is:Gelding]]
[[it:Castrazione]]
[[he:סירוס]]
[[hu:Kasztrálás]]
[[nl:Castratie]]
[[ja:去勢]]
[[la:Castratio]]
[[no:Kastrasjon]]
[[pl:Kastracja]]
[[pt:Castração]]
[[ru:Кастрация]]
[[simple:Castration]]
[[sk:Kastrát]]
[[sr:Кастрација]]
[[fi:Kastraatio]]
[[sv:Kastrering]]
[[wa:Amedaedje]]
[[zh:閹割]]


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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Castration is any action, surgical, chemical, or otherwise, by which a male loses the functions of the testes or a female loses the functions of the ovaries. In common usage the term is usually applied to males, although as a medical term it is applied to both males and females. For more information about female castration, see oophorectomy.

Castration in Medicine

Testicular cancer is generally treated by surgical removal of the cancerous testicle(s) (orchiectomy), often followed by radiation or chemotherapy. Unless both testicles are cancerous, only one is removed.

Either surgical removal of both testicles or chemical castration may be carried out in the case of prostate cancer [1], as hormone testosterone-depletion treatment to slow down the cancer. Similarly, testosterone-depletion treatment (either surgical removal of both testicles or chemical castration) is used to greatly reduce sexual drive or interest in those with sexual drives, obsessions, or behaviors, or any combination of those that may be considered deviant. Castration in humans has been proposed, and sometimes used, as a method of birth control in certain poorer regions.

Orchiectomy may be performed as a part of sex reassignment surgery.

Chemical Castration

Chemical castration is a form of temporary castration caused by hormonal medication. In the case of chemical castration, ongoing regular injections of anti-androgens are administered.

Chemical castration seems to have a greater effect on bone density than physical castration. Since the development of teriparatide, this severe bone loss has been able to be reversed in nearly every case. At this time there is a limitation on the use of this medication to 24 months until the long-term use is better evaluated.

Medical consequences

A subject of castration who is castrated before the onset of puberty will retain a high voice, non-muscular build, and small genitals. They may well be taller than average, as the production of sex hormones in puberty—particularly testosterone—stops long bone growth. The person may not develop pubic hair and will have a small sex drive or none at all. Castrations after the onset of puberty will typically reduce the sex drive considerably or eliminate it altogether. Also castrated people are automatically sterile, because the testes (for males) and ovaries (for females) produce sex cells needed for sexual reproduction. Once removed the subject is infertile. The voice does not change. Some castrates report mood changes, such as depression or a more serene outlook on life. Body strength and muscle mass can decrease somewhat. Body hair sometimes may decrease. Castration prevents male pattern baldness if it is done before hair is lost; however, castration will not restore hair growth after hair has already been lost due to male pattern baldness. [2] Castration eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.

Without Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), typical symptoms (similar to those experienced by menopausal women) include hot flashes; gradual bone-density loss, resulting in osteopenia or osteoporosis; potential weight gain or redistribution of body fat to the hips/chest. Replacement of testosterone in the form of gel, patches, or injections can largely reverse these effects, although breast enlargement has also been reported as a possible side effect of testosterone usage [3].

References

Notes

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