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Psychosexual development: an examination of the role of prenatal hormones

A A Ehrhardt, H F Meyer-Bahlburg

    Ciba Foundation Symposium
    |March 14, 1978
    PubMed

    Insights

    Prenatal hormone exposure influences human psychosexual development, affecting behaviors like energy expenditure and social interactions. However, its role in gender identity and sexual orientation remains inconclusive.

    Area of Science:

    • Endocrinology
    • Developmental Psychology
    • Neuroscience

    Background:

    • Prenatal hormones are crucial for psychosexual development.
    • Evidence comes from endocrine syndromes and steroid-treated pregnancies.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review the evidence for prenatal hormone effects on human psychosexual development.
    • To examine the influence of androgens, estrogens, and progestins.

    Main Methods:

    • Analysis of naturally occurring endocrine syndromes.
    • Studies on offspring from steroid-treated pregnancies.
    • Review of research on prenatal hormone exposure effects.

    Main Results:

    • Prenatal androgens impact sex-dimorphic behaviors (energy, parenting, peer associations, grooming).
    • Exogenous estrogen/progestagen exposure shows potential demasculinizing effects, but requires more research.
    • Gender identity is primarily determined by rearing, not prenatal hormones.

    Conclusions:

    • Prenatal hormones significantly shape specific sex-dimorphic behaviors.
    • The role of prenatal hormones in gender identity and sexual orientation is not definitively established.
    • Further research is needed to clarify the impact of exogenous hormone exposure.

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