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A Pilot Study on Tamoxifen Sexual Side Effects and Hand Preference in Male Breast Cancer

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Abstract

Recent clinical and imaging studies suggest that sex hormones modulate sexuality according to a psychophysiologic process of lateralization of the brain, with androgens playing a greater role in sexual functioning of left hemibrain/right handedness and estrogens possibly for right hemibrain/left handedness. Based on this perspective, the current study attempted to specify the relationship between hand preference, estrogens, and sexual function in subjects with male breast cancer, taking into account the sexual side effects of tamoxifen as the agent for inhibiting estrogen action. Twenty-eight Romanian men—17 right-handed and 11 left-handed—undergoing treatment with tamoxifen for male breast cancer participated in this study. These men were assessed both prior to and during tamoxifen treatment using the International Index of Erectile Function, a standardized instrument used for the evaluation of various aspects of sexual functioning, including erectile function (EF), orgasmic function (OF), sexual desire (SD), and overall functioning (OF). A main effect for handedness was found on EF, OF, SD, and OS scales, with right-handed men showing higher functioning than left-handed men. Regarding interaction effects, the left-handed group of men showed greater decreased sexual functioning during tamoxifen (on three subscales: OF, SD, OS) compared to right-handed men. Further research should be conducted in order to support and refine this potential lateralized process of sexual neuromodulation within the brain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of General Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cazangiilor Street, No. 10, Sect. 3, 03306, Bucharest, Romania

    Ion G. Motofei, Florian Popa, Eugen Bratucu, Dan Straja, Mirela Manea, Simona R. Georgescu, Stana Paunica, Mircea Bratucu, Cristian Balalau & Vlad D. Constantin

  2. Department of Oncological Surgery, St. Pantelimon Hospital, St. Pantelimon Hospital, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania

    Ion G. Motofei, Florian Popa, Cristian Balalau & Vlad D. Constantin

  3. Department of Psychology, Valparaiso University Graduate School, Valparaiso, IN, USA

    David L. Rowland

  4. Department of Oncology, Institute of Oncology Bucharest, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania

    Eugen Bratucu & Dan Straja

Authors
  1. Ion G. Motofei
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  2. David L. Rowland
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  3. Florian Popa
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  7. Simona R. Georgescu
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  9. Mircea Bratucu
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  10. Cristian Balalau
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  11. Vlad D. Constantin
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Correspondence to Ion G. Motofei.

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Motofei, I.G., Rowland, D.L., Popa, F. et al. A Pilot Study on Tamoxifen Sexual Side Effects and Hand Preference in Male Breast Cancer. Arch Sex Behav 44, 1589–1594 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-015-0530-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-015-0530-4

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