Thousands of men are part of online communities that fantasise about having part of their penis surgically removed, a niche but growing subculture known as voluntary genital ablation. On Reddit, a 2,300-member group discusses glansectomy — removal of the sensitive tip of the penis — while another 3,500-strong forum is dedicated to penectomy, the removal of part or all of the penis. Known in kink circles as the 'nullo' fetish, these fantasies can escalate into dangerous real-life actions, as seen in the case of Marius Theodore Gustavson, the 'eunuch maker,' who was sentenced to life in prison in 2024 for performing life-threatening castrations and penectomies on vulnerable victims for the sexual pleasure of viewers on his website.
Understanding Voluntary Genital Ablation
Voluntary genital ablation refers to any non-necessary procedure that removes or renders nonfunctional a part of the external genitalia. It is distinct from gender transition surgeries. According to a 2024 study in Sexual Medicine, some individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB) have a strong desire for genital ablation without a medical need or diagnosis of male-to-female gender dysphoria. The study noted that only up to 4% of those with such fantasies actually aspire to perform it in real life.
Medical Reality of Glansectomy
Glansectomy is a procedure typically reserved for men with penile cancer. Dr Jeff Foster, a urologist, told Metro: 'These men need part of the penis removed to remove the malignant growth. It's quite a serious operation as it removes the head of the penis, resulting in shortening the penis and altered sexual function in the future.' The surgery involves a skin graft and a catheter for about a week. Dr Foster added: 'No reputable surgeon would do this procedure unless it was medically implicated, and there's no way that you could attempt this yourself because of the risks of sepsis and death.' Around 820 new penile cancer cases occur in the UK each year, though not all require surgery.
Why Some Men Fantasise About Removal
Sexologist Ness Cooper explained to Metro that several kinks can be involved, including eunuchophilia — historically, a man who had his genitals removed to serve a king — often practised by submissives. This ties into the nullo fetish, where individuals desire a smooth genital area. Those with a chastity fetish may want to reduce erotic pleasure by removing sensitive nerve endings. In some cases, men with foreskin issues may fantasise about glansectomy to ease discomfort because they are 'unsure how to ask their doctor about it.' Others have a medical fetish, finding arousal in extreme procedures, or seek aesthetic smoothness influenced by media censorship. For asexual individuals, removal may reduce gender-defining characteristics.
Risks and Psychological Concerns
Dr Foster stated: 'To voluntarily want to have this procedure suggests significant mental illness around the concept of self mutilation and harm.' UKCP psychotherapist Katherine Cavallo noted: 'While experiencing sexual fantasies that are unusual or extreme would not, in itself, be considered psychologically problematic... if these thoughts become intrusive or distressing, or are accompanied by compulsive urges to act in ways that could cause harm to oneself or others, this may be indicative of an underlying mental health condition.'
Beyond psychology, Ness Cooper highlighted physical risks: 'It can lead to infections which may result in more of the area needing to be removed, alongside some which are hard to beat even after more surgery, regular UTIs, nerve pain, and even blood loss.' Experts strongly advise against attempting any form of genital ablation outside of medically necessary procedures.
