The efficacy, safety and ethics of the use of testosterone-suppressing agents in the management of sex offending

Abstract

Purpose of review: The use of endocrine medications to reduce sexual offending recidivism is established and may involve clinicians from diverse specialities. The present review aims to outline relevant background information and note a Medical Ethics framework upon which to facilitate decision-making.

Recent findings: There have been several systematic reviews in recent years. A number of problems with research in the area of the medical treatment of sex offenders have been highlighted. There remains scope for improvement in the research to answer a number of relevant clinical issues. Nonetheless, some very useful indicators of relevance to clinical practice have emerged.

Summary: The use of medication to manage the risk of sex offending in males is appropriate under the right circumstances. These include, for example, hypersexuality with sexual deviance and psychological-treatment interfering sexual preoccupation.