Kastration

Kastration, or castration, is the medical procedure or process that inactivates or removes the gonads, thereby stopping the production of sex hormones and gametes. In humans and animals, castration can be surgical, chemical, or, in some contexts, developmental.

In veterinary medicine, castration most commonly refers to neutering male animals by surgical removal of the testes (orchiectomy). This is done to prevent reproduction, reduce certain behaviors, and lower the risk of testicular disease. In female animals, the analogous procedure is usually called spaying, involving removal of the ovaries (and often the uterus). Non-surgical alternatives include chemical castration, which uses hormone therapies to suppress gonadal function.

In human medicine, surgical castration generally refers to bilateral orchiectomy, removing the testes to reduce testosterone levels, most often as part of treatment for advanced prostate cancer or certain endocrine conditions. Chemical castration uses drugs to suppress or block testosterone production or action and may be employed in specific contexts, including some cases of sex-offender management in certain jurisdictions.

Risks associated with castration depend on the method and the patient. Surgical castration carries standard anesthesia and operative risks, along with potential long-term changes in libido, mood, bone density, and metabolic profile. Hormonal changes may require monitoring in both sexes, and long-term effects can vary. Welfare, ethical considerations, and informed consent guide decisions in human medicine, while in animals they influence timing, necessity, and the availability of alternatives.

Historically, castration has been used in diverse cultural contexts, and modern practice emphasizes medical indications, welfare considerations for animals, and evidence-based approaches.