[Report of a case of penile self-amputation].

INTRODUCTION: Motivated by a clinic case, this report introduces some issues related with genital self-amputation in terms of descriptions, epidemiological and clinical issues.

METHODOLOGY: Case report describing a clinic case of genital self-amputation. The description is followed by a discussion based on the information available in the scientific literature. A man, 32 years old, with no history of mental disorder, who amputates his penis with a cutting object after quarreling with his mate for infidelity reasons.

RESULTS: Several characteristics imply risk factors for genital self-mutilation, such as gender identity disorders, rejection to male genitals, guilt feelings related to sexual activity and a history of previous self-injuries. More common diagnoses include schizophrenia and affective disorders followed by disorders induced by psychoactive substances.

CONCLUSION: Genital self-amputation is not a frequent situation and has been under-recorded; however, bearing in mind the high association with psychopathology and recurrence reported in worldwide literature, it is necessary to carry out a proper study and following up of patients exhibiting this conduct.