Hormones and sexual behaviour
Bancroft, J.
Psychological Medicine 7(4): 553-556
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-2917 PMID: 594238 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291700006188Document Number: 436258
Despite new technological advances and improved assay methods, the relationship between hormones and human sexual behavior is still poorly understood. Sex drive and responsiveness, gender identification, and sexual preference are all influenced by hormones. Endocrine studies of impotent men have produced conflicting results. Exogenous androgens seem to produce some results with impotent men. It is possible that hormonal deficiency combines with secondary psychological factors to produce impotence. Cyproterone acetate, a strong anti-androgen, is being used to treat antisocial sexual behavior. Despite the use of hormones in oral contraception and in postmenopausal replacement therapy, very little is known of the relationship between hormones and human female sexuality. Androgens are necessary for normal sexual responsiveness; estrogens determine the attractiveness of the female to the male and may also be responsible for female sexual advances. Current knowledge on the effects of steroidal contraception on female sexuality is confused. It seems that, for both males and females, androgens are necessary, estrogens peripheral, and progestogens uncertain.