EFFECT OF A LONG-LASTING GONADOTROPIN HORMONE-RELEASING HORMONE AGONIST IN 6 CASES OF SEVERE MALE PARAPHILIA

Six men with severe paraphilia had been treated with depot gonadotroph in luteinizing releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) (triptorelin 3.75 mg per month intramuscularly). In 5 cases, the treatment ended their dev iant sexual behavior and markedly decreased their sexual fantasies and activities without further significant side effects than those relate d to hypoandrogenism. This clinical improvement was parallel to the gr adual decrease of plasma testosterone level to castration values withi n the first month. The beneficial effect of this treatment had been ma intained at follow-up varying from 7 months to 3 years. One patient in terrupted the treatment at the end of the first year and relapsed with in 10 weeks. GnRHa treatment, which leads to reversible castration, ma y constitute a promising treatment of paraphilic behavior and may favo r the possibility of concurrent psychotherapy.