Ethical and medical considerations of androgen deprivation treatment of sex offenders
Abstract
Context Blood testosterone codetermines the threshold for erotosexual imagery and sexual activity. Androgen deprivation may therefore have a place in the treatment of unacceptable sexual behavior. Although androgen deprivation can be effective for sex offenders, their basic human rights must be respected; otherwise such treatment constitutes a violation of their physical integrity and is ethically unacceptable. As experience in treating prostate cancers demonstrates, androgen deprivation may have serious side effects. Endocrinologists are qualified to advise on and monitor androgen deprivation, but they are placed in an atypical position because the indication for such treatment is not dictated by endocrine disease. Objective The aim of this study was to provide an ethical framework for advising on androgen deprivation treatment of sex offenders and dealing with side effects. Evidence acquisition and synthesis A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Psychinfo, and references from the multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses published on this topic. An attempt has been made to provide an appreciation of the ethical aspects of androgen deprivation in sex offenders, the efficacy of treatment, the potential risks of treatment, therapeutic options, and recommendations for monitoring treatment. Conclusions Provided that the human rights of sex offenders are respected and informed consent is given, androgen deprivation within a comprehensive framework of psychotherapeutic…
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There is an association between antilibidinal hormonal medication and mood changes (Thibaut 2010; Gooren 2011).
“The latter is important given the association between antilibidinal hormonal medication and mood changes (Thibaut 2010; Gooren 2011)”
From Pharmacological interventions for those who have sexually offended or are at risk of offending (2015) · cites this paper as Gooren 2011
Cites
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“With the more humane approach to sex offenders has also come greater understanding that the person behind the label is an individual with sexual deviance and (dynamic) offender characteristics that may be amenable to treatment (13, 15, 16).”
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The endocrinology of sexual arousal
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Pharmacological interventions for those who have sexually offended or are at risk of offending
Khan, O., Ferriter, M., Huband, N., Powney, M. J., Dennis, J. A., & Duggan, C. (2015) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd007989.pub2 · Cited by 144 · see citing works
- Authors
- Gooren, L. J.
- Affiliations
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Gooren, Louis J.
- ORCID
- Gooren, Louis J.
- Venue
- The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Publisher
- The Endocrine Society
- Published
- 2011-12
- Volume
- 96
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 3628-3637
- ISSN
- 0021-972X (ISSN-L)
- 1945-7197
- OpenAlex
- W2029432385
- Cited by
- 39
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 4.13
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Amsterdam UMC (VU Amsterdam) - Institutional Repository (publishedVersion)
- Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Criminal Law and Policy
- Keywords
- androgen deprivation therapy, sexual offenders, recidivism prevention, testosterone, sexual impulse control, human rights, informed consent, treatment side effects, psychotherapy
- MeSH terms
- Androgen Antagonists, Humans, Human Rights, Male, Morals, Sex Offenses, Fractures, Bone, Criminals
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