Chemical castration is a medical treatment that uses drugs to reduce the production of sex hormones, primarily testosterone, in the body. This treatment aims to lower libido and sexual activity without surgically removing the organs that produce these hormones. It is typically reversible when treatment stops, unlike surgical castration. Chemical castration drugs work by suppressing hormones that stimulate the testicles to produce testosterone. This treatment is used for medical purposes such as treating hormone-dependent cancers like prostate cancer, and in some jurisdictions, it is used to reduce the libido of sexual offenders as a legal or corrective measure. The effects may include reduced sexual desire, shrinking of the testicles (in men), and other side effects like hot flashes, depression, bone density loss, and cardiovascular risks. The treatment requires ongoing administration by injection or implant to maintain hormone suppression.
