emasculation

Emasculation denotes the removal or destruction of the male reproductive organs. In humans and other animals, the most common form is castration, typically achieved by surgical removal of the testes. In botany, emasculation refers to removing the anthers from a flower to prevent self-fertilization and enable controlled cross-pollination. The term is also used metaphorically to describe a perceived loss of masculine power or status.

Medical and veterinary contexts include surgical removal, known as orchiectomy or castration, and chemical castration using hormonal therapy. Indications range from treatment of androgen-dependent conditions such as prostate cancer and certain testicular cancers to, in some settings, gender-affirming care. Permanent hormonal changes can affect fertility, bone density, mood, and metabolic health.

Historically, emasculation has appeared in many cultures as punishment, ritual initiation, or the management of court power through eunuchs. Such practices raise ethical and human-rights concerns and are widely regarded within modern medicine and law as coercive or invasive when performed without consent.

In botany, emasculation is used in plant breeding to remove male pollen carriers and prevent self-pollination, enabling the production of hybrids.

See also related topics such as orchiectomy, chemical castration, and castration in historical contexts.