The 52 men who participated in the study had themselves turned to the Preventell helpline because they felt a sexual attraction to children and suffered from this.
- It is not the case that everyone who feels an attraction to children has a pedophile disorder.
And it is absolutely not the case that everyone who feels such an attraction commits abuse, Valdemar Landgren explains.
Pulling disappeared
The study showed that the men who only received placebo (sugar pills) were also affected, but that the effect - that is, no longer feeling sexual attraction to children - was significantly stronger in those who received the drug.
Valdemar Landgren and his ST colleague Pontus Olsson, who both work in adult psychiatry at Skaraborg Hospital, believe that treatment with the medicine reduces the risk of pedophiles committing child abuse.
- Of course, we all want to counteract sexual abuse of children.
But it is then important that the health service has something to offer the people who come here to get help with this.
This study is an important contribution to the knowledge of how we can improve care, says Valdemar Landgren.
More studies are needed
However, a further series of studies in the field are needed, he points out.
- Yes, both long-term studies and studies of other types of treatments.
It should be emphasized that the participants in this study voluntarily sought help, and that testosterone levels are quickly restored if the medication is stopped.
Footnote: The article written by the two doctors in the World Journal of Biological Psychiatry can be read here.