A Review of Pharmacological Treatments for Hypersexual Disorder

Abstract

Based upon a variety of neurobiological conceptualizations, a limited number of studies have been performed to assess the response of hypersexual behavior to psychopharmacologic therapy. In the present article, we conducted a review of empirical studies that evaluated a psychopharmacologic treatment for hypersexual behavior. Study characteristics reviewed include the participants, research designs, pharmacologic agent(s) examined and dosage(s), medication side effects, comorbid psychiatric illness, assessment of hypersexual behavior, and outcomes. Several studies report significant attenuation of hypersexual symptoms with pharmacologic treatment. However, significant methodological limitations narrow the rigor of these findings. Considerations for comorbidity and recommendations for enhancement of future outcome research are provided.