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

Arch Sex Behav. 1986 Aug;15(4):293-305. doi: 10.1007/BF01550364.

Abstract

Three chronic pedophiliac sex offenders were treated individually with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) over a minimum 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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arousal / drug effects
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Erotica
  • Humans
  • Libido / drug effects
  • Male
  • Medroxyprogesterone / therapeutic use*
  • Middle Aged
  • Paraphilic Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Pedophilia / blood
  • Pedophilia / drug therapy*
  • Penile Erection / drug effects
  • Testosterone / blood

Substances

  • Testosterone
  • Medroxyprogesterone