Differences in the Psychological, Sexual, and Childhood Experiences Among Men with Extreme Interests in Voluntary Castration

Wong, Samantha; Wassersug, Richard J.; Johnson, Thomas W.; Wibowo, Erik

doi:10.1007/s10508-020-01808-6

Cited by 9 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…For example, in a study of 128 men who had obtained genital ablations, 45% of those in the castrated group reported a history of childhood physical and/or sexual trauma, and > 50% reported emotional trauma. 8 These results are in keeping with past studies that found high proportions of childhood physical or sexual abuse in those with genital ablations. 4 , 7 , 14 …”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…This high occurrence of exposure to trauma is also observed in individuals who are interested in or considering castration. 8 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This early exposure to animal castration has been observed in other studies of eunuchs. 8 , 9 Witnessing animal castration may be when many eunuchs first learn about castration. That nearly half of our eunuch sample who learned about castration before 13 years of age witnessed animal castration seems significant and may relate to the fact that close to 40% of them grew up in rural settings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some of these experiences include being threatened with castration by an adult and/or witnessing animal castration. 7 , 8 In a recent study, comparing the experiences of eunuchs, aspiring eunuchs, and individuals who only fantasize about castration, a higher proportion of eunuchs reported a history of sexual and physical trauma. 8 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 7 , 8 In a recent study, comparing the experiences of eunuchs, aspiring eunuchs, and individuals who only fantasize about castration, a higher proportion of eunuchs reported a history of sexual and physical trauma. 8 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exposures to information about castration and emotional trauma before puberty are associated with men’s risk of seeking genital ablation as adults

et al. 2023

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Background Little is known about childhood experiences, outcomes, and self-recollections of those men who were voluntarily castrated as adults. Aim The study sought to determine how learning about castration before and after 13 years of age is associated with differential childhood experiences, outcomes, and self-recollections of those who were voluntarily castrated as adults. Methods We designed a survey of voluntarily castrated individuals, who learned about castration before and after 13 years of age. Our survey consisted of both validated questionnaires and questions. Data were from 208 individuals. Both descriptive and quantitative statistics were performed. Outcomes Learning about castration before 13 years of age is associated with more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as being threatened with castration and other forms of emotional, physical, and sexual trauma. Results As compared with those who learned about castration after 13 years of age, those who knew about castration earlier were more likely to have self-injured their penis (χ21 = 5.342, P < 0.05), had thoughts of performing self-castration (χ21 = 10.389, P < 0.01), witnessed animal castration (χ21 = 10.023, P < 0.01), been threatened with castration as a child (χ21 = 21.749, P < 0.001), had childhood physical trauma (χ21 = 4.318, P < 0.05), had childhood emotional trauma (χ21 = 3.939, P < 0.05), and had childhood sexual trauma (χ21 = 5.862, P < 0.05). Clinical Implications Mental health screening and support should be offered to any men seeking emasculating procedures in line with the World Professional Association of Transgender Health’s Standards of Care Version 8. Strengths and Limitations This study had a large sample size and used a validated questionnaire to evaluate for ACEs. The average age of respondents was above 50 years of age, which may increase recall bias. Conclusion Understanding how ACEs influence the age when some eunuchs first desire, pretend, and become castrated can help clinicians develop better assessments and treatment protocols for individuals with male-to-eunuch gender dysphoria, and other conditions in which emasculating medical procedures are requested.

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