The Control of Deviant Sexual Behaviour by Drugs

Abstract

Drugs have been used to control deviant sexual behaviour in recidivist sexual offenders for over 20 years. Oestrogens have been most widely used (Golla and Hodge, 1949; Whittaker, 1959; Scott, 1964) and generally have been considered to be effective though limited by their side effects, in particular nausea, vomiting and feminization. A further uncommon but grave complication has been carcinoma of the breast (Symmers, 1968). Recently, oestradiol implants have been used (Field and Williams, 1970). A similar libido-reducing effect has been claimed with some tranquillizers, notably thioridazine (Litkey and Feniczy, 1967; Bartholomew, 1964), fluphenazine enanthate (Bartholomew, 1964) and a new butyrophenone, benperidol (Sterkmans and Geerts, 1966; Field, 1973). Progestogens have been recognized for some time as having libido reducing qualities in both males and females (Helleret al., 1958; Kupperman, 1963; Money, 1970). The use of medroxyprogesterone in treating sexual deviants has recently been reported (Money, 1970); it was found not only to be effective in controlling behaviour but also to produce marked reduction in circulating androgen. Currently, much interest is being shown in the use of an anti-androgen, cyproterone acetate, for this purpose (Laschet and Laschet, 1969; Briggs and Briggs, 1971; Cooperet al., 1972).