Abstract
Medroxyprogesterone acetate in combination with counseling has been reported to help sex offenders gain control of their maladaptive behavior (Barry & Ciccone, 1975; Berlin & Meinecke, 1981; Cordoba & Chapel, 1983; Gagne, 1981; Herrman & Beach, 1980; Money, 1970; Money et al., 1975; Money & Bennett, 1981). Medroxyprogesterone acetate is an antiandrogenic agent that can be administered intramuscularly to be gradually absorbed into the bloodstream, causing a decrease in the circulating levels of testosterone. It is a drug used frequently in the United States to treat paraphiliac patients. Medroxyprogesterone acetate reduces the frequency of erections and ejaculation. Besides inhibiting the release of androgen from the testicles, medroxyprogesterone acetate is believed to act on the brain to decrease sexual fantasies and decrease the intensity of erotic urges (Berlin & Meinecke). There are few cases in the literature pertaining to cognitively impaired or mentally deficient sex offenders who have been treated successfully with medroxyprogesterone acetate. One case involved a 14-year-old boy with epilepsy of the Lennox-Gastaut type and mental retardation (Blumer & Migeon, 1975). He had exhibited both hostile and sexual aggressiveness and showed some response to the medication, but he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital before the treatment was fully effective. The medication was discontinued in the hospital. Another case involved a brain-damaged patient who masturbated excessively (Blumer & Migeon). He showed improvement while on medroxyprogesterone acetate, but treatment was discontinued after 2 months when a seizure disorder returned. The excessive sexual arousal was controlled without further antiandrogenic medication. We report the case of a deaf-mute, aphasic patient with offensive sexually aggressive behavior who responded to medroxyprogesterone acetate.
Published Version
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