[Hormone treatment of pedophilia]

Pedophilia is only one of the sexual deviations that can be treated by chemical castration and it is presently unclear whether pedophilia responds better or worse to this therapy in sexual offenders. Antiandrogens are most often used for chemical castration. With respect to the treatment of sexual deviations, LH-antagonists or the combination of antiandrogens and LH-agonists were not studied very extensively. Long-term effects and side-effects of chemical castration are also presently unclear. Although, there is some indication that recidivism will decrease following chemical castration, its use is limited by a high refusal and drop-out rate. The indications of chemical castration in the treatment of sexual deviation raises important ethical questions.