Skip to main content
Log in

Effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate on subjective arousal, arousal to erotic stimulation, and nocturnal penile tumescence in male sex offenders

  • Published:
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Three chronic pedophiliac sex offenders were treated individually with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) over a minumum of 3 months. Genital and subjective response to erotic stimulation, nocturnal penile tumescence, self-reporting of sexual urges, and testosterone levels were recorded repeatedly throughout the study. A single-subject reversal design was used and medication was administered through a double-blind procedure. The results showed that self-report of arousal outside of a laboratory setting was unreliable as a measure of the drug effect. In a laboratory setting, however, there appeared to be a significant reduction in the report of arousal to erotic stimuli while genital arousal decreased only slightly. Reversal of these responses occurred in only one subject during a final placebo phase. Nocturnal penile tumescence was significantly decreased during MPA administration and appeared to be related to decreases in total testosterone.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bancroft, J., Tennent, T., Loucas K., and Cass, J. (1974). Control of deviant sexual behavior of drugs: behavioral effects of oestrogens and anti-androgens.Brit. J. Psychiat. 125: 310–315.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berlin, F., and Coyle, G. (1981). Sexual deviation syndromes.Johns Hopkins Med. J. 149: 119–125.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berlin, F., and Meinecke, C. (1981). Treatment of sex offenders with antiandrogenic medication: Conceptualization, review of treatment modalities, and preliminary findings.Am. J. Psychiat. 135: 601–607.

    Google Scholar 

  • Binkoff, J. A., Zwick, W. R., Abrams, D., Leipman, M. R., Monti, P. M., and Nirenberg, T. D. (1984). Reactions of Alcoholics and Nonalcoholics to Alcohol Cues. American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, A., Ismail, A., Phanjoo, A., and Love, D. (1972). Antiandrogen (cyproterone acetate) therapy in deviant hypersexuality.Brit. J. Psychiat. 120: 59–63.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gagne, P. (1981). Treatment of sex offenders with medroxyprogesterone acetate.Am. J. Psychiat. 138: 644–646.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Langevin, R., Paitich, D., Hucker, S., Newman, S., Ransay, G., Pope, S., Geller, G., and Anderson, C. (1979). The effect of assertiveness training, provera and sex of therapist in the treatment of genital exhibitionism.J. Behav. Ther. Exp. Psychiat. 10: 275–282.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laschet, V., and Laschet, L. (1975). Antiandrogens in the treatment of sexual deviations in men.J. Steroid Biochem. 6: 821–826.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Money, J. (1968). Discussion on hormonal inhibition of libido in male sex offenders. In Michael, R. (ed.),Endocrinology and Human Behavior Oxford University Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nirenberg, T., & Miller, P. (1982). Salivation: An Assessment of Food Craving?Behav. Res. Ther. 20: 405–407.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ortmann, J. (1980). The treatment of sexual offenders: Castration and antihormone therapy.Int. J. Law Psychiat. 3: 443–451.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rose, R. (1976). Antiandrogen therapy of sex offenders.Horm. Behav. Psychopathol. 3: 121–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermeulen, A., Stoica, T., and Verdunck, L. (1971). The apparent free testosterone concentration, and index of androgenicity.J. Clin. Endocrinol. 33: 759.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, P. (1978). The role of antiandrogens in the treatment of sex offenders. In Qualls, C., Wincze, J., and Barlow, D. (eds.),The Prevention of Sexual Disorders: Issues and Approaches. Plenum Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, P., and Meyer, W. (1981). Medroxyprogesterone acetate treatment for paraphiliac sex offenders. In Hayes, J. R., Roberts, T. K., and Solway, K. S. (eds.),Violence and the Violent Individual. Spectrum Publications, Jamaica, NY.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wikler, A. (1965). Conditioning factors in opiate addiction and relapse. In Wilner, D. and Kassenbaum, G. (eds.),Narcotics. McGraw Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wincze, J., Venditti, E., Barlow, D., and Mavissakalian, M. (1980). The effects of a subjective monitoring task on the physiological measure of genital response to erotic stimulation.Arch. Sex. Behav. 9: 533–545.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wincze, J.P., Bansal, S. & Malamud, M. Effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate on subjective arousal, arousal to erotic stimulation, and nocturnal penile tumescence in male sex offenders. Arch Sex Behav 15, 293–305 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01550364

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01550364

Key words

Navigation