Title: Chemically Castrating: How It Works, Uses, and Side Effects
Headings: What Is Chemical Castration?
What Is Chemical Castration?
What is chemical castration?
About LHRH agonists
Treatment is ongoing
What are the side effects of chemical castration?
Other potential risks
How long does chemical castration last?
What’s the difference between chemical and surgical castration?
Medical uses of chemical castration
Chemical castration for people who are incarcerated for sexual violence
Takeaway

Content: Those in the medical profession may also have ethical concerns about overtreatment versus punishment. There are complex concerns related to coercion and potential lack of informed consent. Whether performed for health reasons or legal ones, there is a need to monitor and treat side effects and complications. Takeaway
Chemical castration is the use of medication to lower levels of male hormones. It has the same effect as the surgical removal of your testicles, except that it’s not permanent. There are significant side effects to chemical castration, such as: loss of libido
hot flashes
shrinking testicles
Once you stop the treatment, androgen production should return to normal. But some side effects, such as osteoporosis, can become long-term concerns. Chemical castration is primarily used to treat hormone-dependent conditions, such as prostate cancer. Last medically reviewed on January 12, 2021