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Effects of Estrogen or Testosterone on Self-Reported Sexual Responses and Behaviors in Hypogonadal Adolescents¹

Departments of Pediatrics (J.W.F., M.R.D., H.E.K.), Biobehavioral Health (J.W.F., E.J.S.), Health Evaluation Sciences (V.M.C., S.J.K.), Human Development and Family Studies (E.J.S., J.S.), Pathology (L.M.D.), and Psychology (L.S.L.), Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033; and Colleges of Health and Human Development, and Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Jordan W. Finkelstein, M.D., Pennsylvania State University, East 315 Henderson Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802. E-mail: jwf3{at}psu.edu

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of administration of sex steroids on self-reported sexual responses and behaviors in hypogonadal adolescents. We used a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over, clinical trial as the experimental design. The subjects were 39 boys and 16 girls with delayed puberty. We treated girls with oral conjugated estrogen and boys with testosterone enanthate in 3 dose levels intended to simulate early, middle, and late pubertal levels. We administered a modification of the Udry sexual behavior questionnaire after each 3-month placebo and treatment period to detect the effect of sex steroids on self-reported sexual behaviors and responses. We employed a strict intent to treat statistical analytical model. The data showed significant effects of the administration of testosterone to boys causing increases in nocturnal emission and touching behaviors at the mid- and high doses. No other treatment effects on sexual behaviors or responses were seen in boys. For girls, there was a significant increase in necking caused by the administration of estrogen only at the late pubertal dose. No other treatment effects on sexual behaviors or responses were seen in girls. We noted some gender differences for thinking about sex, sexual "turn-on," and the nature of sexual behavior. The administration of physiological doses of sex steroids to boys or girls with delayed puberty have few effects on sexual behaviors and responses.

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