Human Sexuality

Unit 2 Essay
Question
If sexual desire is regulated by hormones, should male sexual predators be surgically
castrated or chemically treated with Depo-Provera to reduce testosterone levels? What if the
sexual predator is female . . . should her ovaries be removed or should her testosterone
production be curtailed in some other way? Should she be allowed to have hormone
replacement therapy at menopause to reduce other symptoms even if it means an increase in
her sexual desire?
Answer
Sexual desire stems from the hormone testosterone, but it does not determine how low or
high your sex drive is. A normal range of total testosterone in a man is 300-1,200 ng/dL
(nanograms per deciliter) (Crooks et al. 160). While in women the normal range of total
testosterone is 20-50 ng/dL (Crooks et al. 160). This number does not influence how often each
male or female libidos are triggered. There can be issues that arise with too much testosterone
or too little, but it does not affect the libido. If a female has excess testosterone, issues such as:
significant growth of facial and body hair, increase muscle mass, reduce breast size, and an
enlarging of the clitoris (Crooks et al. 160), can arise. A male with increased testosterone can
experience symptoms of, a disruption of natural hormone cycles, salt retention, fluid retention,
and hair loss. (Crooks et al. 160). While a deficiency of testosterone in both males and females
can cause a decrease in ones customary level of sexual desire, diminished energy levels and
possibly depressed moods, increased fat mass, reduced body hair, and decreased muscle
mass and strength (Crooks et. al, 161). An excess of testosterone therefore will not cause any
issues with normal sexual functioning, but a deficiency does have the ability to decrease a
person's libido.

Sexual predators would have a normal amount of testosterone in their blood, but may have
some deep psychological issues. You would be able to reduce the testosterone levels using
Depo Provera or castrating the male, but it would cause many other issues with the predator.
Using this method, would be an extreme solution to the problem, that I would not recommend
for use on a sexual predator. The male would have a decreased level of sexual desire, but it
doesnt necessarily stop him completely from having sexual urges or acting upon them.
While some women who go through menopause, take some form of hormone therapy, a
female sexual predator would need to be treated Differently. A way to do this would be with
progesterone rather than estrogen or testosterone, both of the later can cause an increase in
libido. While removing the uterus and ovaries may sound like a way to curtail sexual desire in
women, it often has the reverse effect. Many women do not experience any affect on the clitoris,
and it can eliminate painful intercourse making many females sex life more enjoyable. It also is
a foolproof measure for unwanted pregnancies, making intercourse be a less risky option. For a
female sexual predator, going through menopause, I would definitely recommend no treatment.
If the female is having a menopause that contains all the symptoms, I would recommend using
only progesterone hormone therapy. This therapy will help keep the female healthy, but not
increase her sexual desire. But for both male and female sexual predators, a good therapist
would be a much better option than messing around with hormones to help them figure out what
else could be causing the sexual desire.
Citations
Crooks, Robert, and Karla Baur. Our Sexuality. 12th ed. Redwood City, CA: Benjamin
Cummings Pub., 1990. Print