castrated

Castration is the removal or inactivation of the gonads, which are the testes in males and the ovaries in females. The resulting reduction or cessation of sex hormone production—testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone—produces a wide range of physical and behavioral effects. Castration can be surgical or chemical and is performed for medical, veterinary, or social and legal reasons.

Methods include surgical castration, such as orchiectomy in males or ovariectomy/ovariectomy in females, which physically removes the gonads. Chemical castration uses drugs to suppress gonadal function and hormone production without immediate removal of the organs. In veterinary contexts, the term neutering is commonly used to describe castration of companion animals, regardless of sex.

In humans, castration may be used for medical purposes, such as treatment of hormone-sensitive cancers (notably prostate cancer) or other conditions where hormone suppression is beneficial. In addition, chemical castration has been employed in certain legal or psychiatric settings. In animals, castration is widely practiced to prevent reproduction, reduce unwanted behaviors linked to hormones, and simplify population management. Side effects can include changes in muscle mass and body fat, bone density consequences, metabolic shifts, and mood or energy fluctuations, depending on age at the time of procedure and overall health.

Ethical considerations include informed consent, autonomy, and welfare concerns for both humans and animals. The practice has a long and varied history across cultures and has evolved with advances in medical and veterinary care, as well as evolving standards for rights and welfare.