Throughout history, there has existed basically three types of eunuchs: those where were castrated before puberty, those who were castrated after puberty, and those who had their penis and testicles removed during the castration. Those in the first group, who castrated during puberty, never developed mature sexual organs because they did not go through puberty. With the lack of mature male hormones, i.e. testosterone, their voices never changed, they had more feminine features, often gained weight very easily and lacked muscle tone, and they were totally impotent. 
The second group, those who were castrated after puberty, went through puberty and though many took on feminine traits, it was easier for them to gain muscle mass, and they had the ability to get an erection. However, because of the lack of testicles, they could not produce sperm and therefore could not reproduce. They did however, have the ability to ejaculate, though instead of the creamy white ejaculate most men produce, it would mostly be a clear viscous liquid composed of the parts of their semen not produced by the testicles. The third group lacked a penis and testicles and therefore were obviously not able to get an erection. They bodies could remain masculine, if the procedure occurred after puberty, but since it was a highly dangerous procedure during the years before modern surgery, it was often performed on young men. 
In the Ottoman Empire (modern day Turkey, the Middle East, Northeast Africa, and the Balkans), African slaves who were bought for the purpose of guarding the harem were often taken into the desert on their journey from sub-Saharan Africa to the Sultan’s palace and the procedure was performed there. They young Africans’ penis and testicles were sheared off by a sharp blade, then a hot blade would cauterize the wound, and their bodies were buried in the hot sand up to their necks so that the bleeding could be staunched and the healing could begin. Many did not survive this horrific and barbaric procedure. If they did, they would be taken back to Istanbul as slaves to guard the women of the harem. Africans were not the only eunuchs of the Ottoman Empire. 
The conquered Christian communities of the Balkans in Eastern Europe were forced to pay a tax to the Ottoman Empire. Devşirme or devshirme (Serbian: Данак у крви and Bulgarian: Кръвен данък – tribute in blood) was the practice by which the Ottoman Empire conscripted boys from Christian families, who were taken from their families by force, converted to Islam, trained and enrolled in one of the four imperial institutions: the Palace, the Scribes, the Religious and the Military. The devşirme system humiliated non-Muslim societies controlled by the Ottomans and was resisted. Those who joined the military became part of the Janissary, an elite military corps that protected the Sultan. The other young men who would serve in the palace, as scribes, were castrated. These young men, generally, only had their testicles removed and according to how old they were and whether they had been through puberty, determined if they were impotent or not. 
Being castrated did not end a eunuchs sex life. The first and last of eunuchs, those castrated before puberty and those who had their sexual organs completely removed, could not perform an active role in sexual relations; however, they could and often did take on the passive role. Eunuchs in history have often held high positions in society because they are seen as trustworthy since the lack of testosterone removes a great deal of aggressive tendencies. They could and did use their sexual abilities to gain favor in royal courts and the jealousies around their power could be used for or against them. Those who had fully functioning penises (i.e. they could get erections) could dominate others and gain favor with women, because they could provide a safe sexual partner without the risk of pregnancy. The downside is that most if not all eunuchs were slaves and just as African-American slaves were subject to the sexual whims of their masters, so were eunuchs in the ancient world.
There will be more posted about the sex lives of eunuchs and the Ottoman Empire later. I am also working on a few posts about Egyptian eunuchs and those in the Far East. There were some fascinating figures who were eunuchs, one Chinese eunuch may have even reached America decades before Christopher Columbus.
July 15, 2010
The Sex Lives of Eunuchs
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20 responses to “The Sex Lives of Eunuchs”
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July 5th, 2016 at 7:19 pm
Interesting article. What are your sources?
July 5th, 2016 at 7:27 pm
It’s been a long time since I wrote this and I no longer remember my sources. Sorry.
October 31st, 2016 at 3:24 am
Reblogged this on emma wolf.
December 29th, 2016 at 10:48 am
Being a Eunuch – I haven’t had sex since my Orchiectomy. Though I’ve had maybe 2 accidental orgasms during my sleep since, shortly after surgery. It’s been nearly 4 years now.
The orgasms were frighteningly different from how they used to be, when I had my lower testicles. That being said, I’ve refrained from having intercourse with anyone since. The orgasms are full-body, and overwhelming. Definitely not the same, definitely intense though.
I’d be a bit concerned having sex, although I feel the need for more intimacy on an emotional level. Being a Eunuch is great, but sex isn’t really a driving factor, physical attraction and emotions are.
May 2nd, 2017 at 5:54 am
You are right. Physical & emotional attractions are the key for me also. Though I am not an eunuch.
February 15th, 2017 at 2:33 pm
Wow, this is interesting to know that this really does existed, many men has been castrated before and after puberty in other countries, the custom is unreal. I guess i should be glad that i don’t live in a country where i have no say so to my body, not saying some fool wouldn’t try to do it to other here in America, no, as a matter of fact, my parent could have had such a things done to me being a child and i grew up not able to have a child or the desired to want to have sex, i ‘ve read and heard what they do to young girl’s, it’s crazy. God blessed you all.
March 10th, 2017 at 7:39 pm
Hmmm, anybody got a hot knife? I”d like to be sliced and feminised.
May 2nd, 2017 at 5:56 am
Ohhhhh… 🙂
June 14th, 2017 at 12:09 pm
Is there any chances to fall in love of a girl by a eunuch which was castrated before puberty??
Is there are any love feelings germinated in their hearts in such a cases????
March 14th, 2018 at 9:41 pm
In ancient China, there was a concubine who gained the trust of a eunuch to have him give her access to the Emperor’s chambers. He did and she snuck in and managed to gain the Emperor’s favor. She eventually became an Empress. I believe it’s quite possible that the eunuch was in love with her, as they spent a multitude of years with one another, however them just being friends is a very likely possibility as well, another being that she told him she’d treat him well as an Empress, which would actually require lots of trust. Their relationship was definitely a strong one for him to risk being executed like that. I personally think he was in love with her.
February 7th, 2019 at 5:22 am
[…] The Sex Lives of Eunuchs […]
August 25th, 2020 at 8:18 am
Great article !!!
August 25th, 2020 at 8:18 am
Reblogged this on Queerin Science, Theology, Philosophy And Spirituality (QSTPS).
August 7th, 2021 at 3:25 am
Wow. I never knew this information.
November 24th, 2021 at 1:42 pm
Could you possibly provide information about the the Castrati and their role in churches, musical theater and opera?
November 24th, 2021 at 2:08 pm
This is a pretty good source on the Castrati: http://www.velluti.org.
December 21st, 2021 at 8:37 pm
Beautiful depicted captured images guaranteed!♥️♥️♥️♥️✈
March 18th, 2023 at 7:46 pm
I would like to have some more info about carteration
And can a male get a penis attachment
In largemouth
May 4th, 2024 at 1:13 am
I have a friend who is a eunech, and if it is still possible to help them reach orgasm, what steps do I need to take? Verbal visionary? Touching? Etc…
May 4th, 2024 at 4:40 am
Katherine, not being a eunuch myself, I can’t give you a definitive answer; however, I know part of the possibility of achieving orgasm is dependent on two things: when the castration happened (i.e., before or after puberty) and it can only be possible if it was not a full castration (i.e., the penis is still intact and only the testicles were removed). Therefore, if the castration was performed after puberty, the penis is intact, and he can still get an erection, then touching, intercourse, etc. should allow orgasm. It may take longer than for a a non-castrated man, but if he has any desire for an orgasm and can get erect, then it should be possible. If the castration is causing impotence (I’m not sure if modern drugs can solve that in a eunuch) or a lack of desire, then I suspect it is not possible. I am not a medical professional. I’m a historian, and I only know this by information I’ve read. If he desires an orgasm, he probably should speak to a physician who would probably prescribe hormone replacement therapy and possibly one of the drugs for erectile dysfunction. I hope this proves useful, and you can help your friend achieve orgasm.