Explore

Did ancient eunuchs have sexual desires? How did they satisfy them?

In ancient times, eunuchs were required to undergo a castration process which rendered them unable to reproduce. So, do eunuchs still have any sexual desires?

Administrator

21 January, 2024

208

Thai courtiers are men who serve the emperor and concubines in the palace. Before entering the palace, these people have to undergo a painful celibacy process that renders them incapable of procreation. So, do eunuchs have any sexual desires after being castrated?

Do eunuchs have sexual desires after being castrated?

In ancient times, eunuchs who had been castrated were allowed to enter the palace. After being castrated, they would lose their male sexual abilities. However, this is just an external manifestation, as their male hormones are still strong inside their bodies. Losing their reproductive organs does not mean that they have lost their sexual desires.

Historical records state that eunuch Xiao Duc Truong of the Qing dynasty was castrated at a young age to enter the palace. But when he reached his youth, he suddenly became interested in women. He then took several wives, and everyone speculated that this eunuch had not been completely castrated. Although eunuchs in the palace are checked every three years, some concubines who favor a certain eunuch would bring money to exempt them from the examination. This is also an “unspoken rule”.

Moreover, there are still exceptions in the commoner’s world. In impoverished families, some have tried to “castrate” their young sons to give them a chance at survival. Some mothers chose to compress and subdue their sons’ genitals on a daily basis, causing them to shrink over time. This loss of natural function and vitality would eventually occur. These eunuchs entering the palace would play and read books with the princes and princesses. When they reach their youth, their sexual function naturally restores, arousing sexual interest with the opposite sex. If they have strong support, the eunuchs who fulfill the “inspection” duty would not dare to touch them to avoid bringing trouble upon themselves, as “you can’t beat a dog without looking at its owner”. Eunuchs, being unable to have a normal marital life, mostly feel regret and yearn to restore their sexual function. This desire often leads to tragic consequences.

Three reasons why eunuchs want to get married

In historical dramas, we can often see eunuchs having wives. Although they know that their bodies are flawed and they cannot have children like normal men, they still want to get married. Does this mean that even though they have been castrated, they still have sexual desires? In fact, eunuchs get married for the following reasons:

– Firstly, it is the reward from the emperor. Some fortunate eunuchs rise in ranks and receive favor from the emperor. Although serving the emperor is very dangerous, they also enjoy many rewards and have many people beneath them to obey.

The emperor can also frequently reward eunuchs if they perform their duties well. Unexpected rewards often include beautiful women or concubines. Although eunuchs are not like normal men, concubines are rewards from the emperor, so they dare not refuse.

– Secondly, eunuchs marry to satisfy their own psychological needs. Despite their physical disabilities, eunuchs still want to get married (mostly to concubines) in order to satisfy their distorted psychological needs. Getting married and having their own woman helps eunuchs from ancient times feel comforted psychologically, similar to a normal man.

– Thirdly, getting married not only helps eunuchs have someone to take care of them and talk to, but they also have a companion when they grow old. In reality, only a few become grand eunuchs alongside the emperor. The rest are normal eunuchs. Therefore, if they cannot find a life partner for themselves, they will suffer greatly when they leave the palace and grow old.