Letter to the Editor August 15, 1998

Irradiation Therapy Prevents Gynecomastia in Sex Offenders Treated With Antiandrogens

Tomas Eriksson; Mikael Eriksson

J Clin Psychiatry 1998;59(8):432-432

Article Abstract

Sir: The only therapy that has so far been shown to be effective in the treatment of male sex offenders is long-term administration of antiandrogens. Cyproterone acetate and medroxyprogesterone acetate are the most widely used substances in this context. Although this therapy seems to be an effective method in reducing the relapse rate in sex offenders, it has yet come to only limited use. The frequent development of gynecomastia, seen after long-term treatment with antiandrogens, is a probable hindrance to the more widespread use of this treatment strategy.