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'Chemical castration' is a form of temporary castration caused by certain hormonal drugs. It has been controversely used as a temporary preventive measure or punishment, typically for those who have broken laws of a sexual nature. Chemical castration may also be used as hormonal therapy for certain cancers.^[1]
Depo Provera, a progestin; and tamoxifen, a drug also used in the treatment of breast cancer, are the drugs most commonly used today for sex offenders. Depo Provera acts on the brain to inhibit hormones that stimulate the testicles to produce testosterone; whereas tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator(SERM), works by selectively antagonizing some estrogen receptors, while agonizing others. Depo Provera also neutralises all testosterone so none can be converted to estrogen by the aromatase enzyme. The herb chrysin works by blocking the aromatase enzyme. Spironolactone, a diuretic, also is an effective testosterone blocker.
Chemical castration also occurs as a natural consequence of hormone treatment for male-to-female transsexualism. However, unlike the treatment used on sex offenders, the hormones commonly used lead to permanent infertility.^[2]
Some parasitic trematodes chemically castrate their host; see microphallus.

Contents

Chemical castration in the United States

Criticism

Side effects

Notes

Chemical castration in the United States

According to Jeffrey Kirchmeier, at least six states have experimented with chemical castration laws in the United States. Those states are California, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, and Montana. California was the first state to use chemical castration as a punishment for sex offenders. In California, judges may require first-time offenders to undergo chemical castration. After a second offense treatment is mandatory.^[3][4] In Iowa and Florida chemical castration is available in all cases involving serious sex offenses. As in California treatment is mandatory after a second offense. ^[5][6][7]

Criticism

Though generally considered more humane than surgical castration, chemical castration has attracted a number of critics.
The American Civil Liberties Union opposes the coerced administration of any drug, including antiandrogen drugs for sex offenders. They argued in 1997 that forced chemical castration was a "cruel and unusual punishment", and thereby constitutionally prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. They also stated that it interfered with sex offenders' "right to procreate", and could expose users to various health problems.
Large doses are required to be effective in men. Most men will receive 400mg to 500mg per week, equal to 2.5 ml in each buttock. In some cases, men given oral doses as high as 700 mg/day have still reported regular sexual arousal and fantasies.

Side effects

The use of Depo-Provera can cause several side effects including weight gain, fatigue, thromboembolism, malaise, hypertension, mild depression, hypoglycemia and rare changes in liver enzymes.
In most men the use of tamoxifen will produce no side effects. In rare cases it may result in headaches, nausea, vomiting or skin rash. Weight loss has also been reported in men due to reversal of the bloating effect of excess estrogen caused by fluid retention.
In addition to ethical concerns, chemical castration may increase blood pressure in males, sometimes to dangerous levels. Other side effects, such as the formation of abnormal fat deposits in the liver, are being investigated.

Notes

1. Tamoxifen: Q & A - National Cancer Institute
2. A New Tool in the Treatment of Sexual Addiction by Dr. J L Schaller
3. California code
4. "Chemical castration for paedophiles approved" in California 21 September 1996
5. Iowa Code 2007 Quick Retrieval
6. The 2007 Florida Statutes: 794.0235 Administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) to persons convicted of sexual battery.
7. Chemical Castration: A Return to the Dark Ages Florida, August 1997, PDF