http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1762 ... rticlePage .PPMCPubmedRA&linkpos=3

INTRODUCTION: Some males desire to be emasculated for no medical reason. These individuals are often secretive about their desires and little is known about their background and motivation. AIMS: We sought to characterize these modern eunuchs and to identify risk factors for genital self-mutilation or self-administered chemical castration. METHODS: We posted a questionnaire on the Eunuch Archive ( http://www.eunuch.org) that was responded to by 135 voluntarily castrated males. Questionnaire data were supplemented by accompanying narrative responses and several personal interviews. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants answered questionnaire items pertaining to their knowledge about androgen deprivation, the nature of their castration, and the length of time between initial presentation of castration paraphilia and castration. These questionnaire data allowed us to compare and contrast voluntary chemical and physical eunuchs. RESULTS: The physical castrations were largely premeditated, with an average of 18 years from the time that an individual developed interest in being a eunuch to the time of their actual castration. We identified four factors that may promote castration ideations: (i) abuse sustained during childhood, including parental threats of castration; (ii) homosexuality; (iii) exposure to animal castration during youth; and (iv) religious condemnation of sexuality. Chemical eunuchs were more likely to have sought castration for libido control or to advance transition from male to female (P < 0.05). Physical eunuchs had a nonsignificant tendency to have masochistic paraphilia involving genital mutilation in advance of their castration (P < 0.1). Both Body Integrity Identity Disorder and Gender Identity Disorders occur among those who self-identify as eunuch. CONCLUSIONS: We present evidence that the majority of self-identified voluntary eunuchs are not male-to-female transsexuals. Whereas the majority identify as male, many view themselves as in an alternate nonmale, nonfemale, gender space. We therefore suggest that male-to-eunuch is a valid transgender identity.

the link to article list it as part 1 where is part 2

but very interesting none the less

Excellent, more evidence for the potential eunuch to present when the doctor is trying to convince him he's just a nutcase with a castration fetish.

Shame it's behind a paywall though. I don't suppose there are any medical students on EA that have access to this through a university subscription or somesuch?

A few of our esteemed members prepared the questions for a survey and compiled the information used in the article. Many of us took the survey. Some of the information about the survey and results can be found using the search function. In the past copies were e-mailed to members by asking for them.

http://www.eunuch.org/vbulletin/showthr ... ive+survey

http://www.eunuch.org/vbulletin/showthr ... uch+survey

RE: "

thepenectomised (imported) wrote: Sun Nov 01, 2009 3:23 am We therefore suggest that male-to-eunuch is a valid transgender identity.

'

Does that mean that all forms will be changed to include:

[ ]Male [ ]Female [ ]Eunuch

???

Part two:

thepenectomised (imported) wrote: Sun Nov 01, 2009 3:23 am http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1762774

1?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed _ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=31

INTRODUCTION: There are men in the Western world who are voluntarily castrated and

thepenectomised (imported) wrote: Sun Nov 01, 2009 3:23 am are not male-to-female transsexuals.

AIMS: We surveyed members of this group to understand their responses to androgen deprivation (AD) and how their experiences matched their expectations of AD

thepenectomised (imported) wrote: Sun Nov 01, 2009 3:23 am . METHODS: We posted a questionnaire on the Eunuch Archive (

http://www.eunuch.org) that received responses from 92 voluntarily orchiectomized males who identified as eunuchs. Data from this questionnaire were supplemented with interviews with 19 of the eunuch

thepenectomised (imported) wrote: Sun Nov 01, 2009 3:23 am s. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants

completed questionnaire items regarding: (i) the side effects they expected and experienced; (ii) their current physical and psychological condition; (iii) their level of regret; (iv) what they appreciated most about their castrated status; and (v) who performed their orchiectomies. RESULTS: The most appreciated aspect of castration was the sense of control over sexual urges and appetite (52%). The major side effects experienced were loss of libido (66%), hot flashes (63%), and genital shrinkage (55%). The population had high self-rated sociability, and mental and physical health. Although there was an insignificant reduction in depression after castration, the overall level of self-reported obsessive-compulsive disorders decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Twenty-two percent of the population reported a change in sexual orientation. Many respondents (60%) took supplemental hormone treatments to counteract the side effects of AD. The use of both supplemental testosterone and high-dose estrogen correlated with a significant increase in self-reported sexual desire and activity above the agonadal level (P < 0.001). The majority of the castrations (53%) were not performed by medical professionals. CONCLUSION: The medical community needs to be aware of men at risk of unsafe castrations in order to provide them with more information on the side effects of AD and access to safe orchiectomies.

RE: "

thepenectomised (imported) wrote: Sun Nov 01, 2009 3:23 am We therefore suggest

nullorchis (imported) wrote: Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:12 am that male-to-eunuch is a valid transgender identity.

'

Does that mean that all forms will be c

hanged to include:

[ ]Male [ ]Female [ ]Eunuch

???

Since we're on the subject, I'd like to point out that according to this page (http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/transhealth/ ... rview.aspx) the NHS (the UK's National Health Service) appears to consider eunuch to be a valid transgender identity. They don't use the word eunuch, but they do include in the definition of transgenderism:

People who feel that they're both male and female, or neither male nor female.which would seem to cover it. I did make a post about this some time ago but it was moved to an obscure subforum. Hopefully it's not considered bad form for me to bring it up again as it seems relevant to the discussion.

A reminder: the four articles based on the FIRST Eunuch Archive survey are available in PDF format to anyone who sends me a <Private Message> requesting them and includes an email address that will accept PDF attachments. I've sent the four articles to about 50 of the members her so far and will continue to send them so long as there are requests.

The first articles from the SECOND survey should see print soon. The abstracts will be posted and they, too, will be available for anyone requesting them.

On the second issue on this thread:

One of the Canadian life insurance companies now has two open-ended questions asking about sex and gender:

1) What sex were you assigned at birth?

2) What gender are you now?

Both questions have health and longevity implications and there are no check boxes for [] Male or [] Female.

For someone who identifies with their gender there will be little to no appreciation for or understanding of anyone who does not identify with their gender. It is just a concept that is beyond comprehension. What is beyond comprehension? Someone putting on a backpack that is loaded with explosives and walking into a crowded market and killing dozens of women and children - that is beyond my comprehension; it just defies belief, logic, commonsense, compassion.

This is not to say that terrorists and gender identity cross ups have anything in common. It is just that people who are OK with their gender identity are unlikely to have empathy for those who have mis-matched gender identity, out of phase, and in various stages of correcting the situation.

The insurance company inquiry above is looking for physical gender and has nothing to do with mis-matched self-identity. Otherwise they would be asking "What physical gender were you at birth and now? Does your physical gender match your identity gender?" If an insurance company covers part or all of sexual reassignment they might want to know the answer to question 2, and they would deny you insurance coverage as they don't want to shell out money for medical costs of gender reassignment.

Whatever goes on with governments and business it always winds up being about money. Rarely, if ever, is it about compassionate understanding.

nullorchis (imported) wrote: Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:48 am For someone who identifies with their gender there will be little to no appreciation for or understanding of anyone who does not identify with their gender. It is just a concept that is beyond comprehension. What is beyond comprehension? Someone putting on a backpack that is loaded with explosives and walking into a crowded market and killing dozens of women and children - that is beyond my comprehension; it just defies belief, logic, commonsense, compassion.

This is not to say that terrorists and gender identity cross ups have anything in common. It is just that people who are OK with their gender identity are unlikely to have empathy for those who have mis-matched gender identity, out of phase, and in various stages of correcting the situation.

The insurance company inquiry above is looking for physical gender and has nothing to do with mis-matched self-identity. Otherwise they would be asking "What physical gender were you at birth and now? Does your physical gender match your identity gender?" If an insurance company covers part or all of sexual reassignment they might want to know the answer to question 2, and they would deny you insurance coverage as they don't want to shell out money for medical costs of gender reassignment.

Whatever goes on with governments and business it always winds up being about money. Rarely, if ever, is it about compassionate understanding.

The company was a Canadian life insurance company. Chances are they would only pay out if you passed regardless of gender.

I agree that most folks who are happy with the gender they were born in can not relate to many of our struggles. I can not relate to those in male bodies that are happy being male. I read about many members on this site that I can not directly relate to how they want to live their lives but I care and support them.