Re: Controlling the male sex drive

Christopher Maloney (dude@chrismaloney.com)
Sat, 26 Jun 1999 19:01:28 -0400

Dave Sill wrote:
>
> I'm tired of being dominated by my hormones. I waste vast amounts of
> time and energy thinking about and having sex, and I'm constantly
> being distracted by sexual thoughts. Sometimes I think it would be
> better--now that I've sired all the children I plan to--to just get
> out of the sex game altogether. (I'm 39, married, three children.)
> Castration would be a little extreme (permanent) and I don't know
> exactly what the effects would be. I'm sure there are drugs that can
> help, but I don't know how effective they are, how safe they are for
> long-term use, or even what they're called or how to get them.
>
> Is there any practical relief for this problem available today?

Wow -- this is the first time I've *ever* heard this sentiment expressed by anyone but myself. I must admit that I am stupified that more men don't feel this way. I don't think I'm all that unusual in terms of the degree or intensity of my sex drive, but I find it extremely annoying. It feels like I'm "trapped in the body of an ape".

Actually, when I think about it, I think Elvis Costello has a song expressing frustration that he couldn't turn off his libido, but the title and lyrics escape me.

I do know that there's a drug called "Depo-provera", which is used as a contraceptive in women, but when used on men, it lowers their testosterone level. This is the drug used on sex offenders when you hear about "chemical castration". I've heard of studies that have indicated that use of this drug is even *more* effective at reducing recidivism in sex offenders than castration is. I think it has some nasty side affects, but I really don't know. Of course, you can only get it by prescription, and I think most doctors would be hesitant to prescribe it.

Good luck, and let me know if you discover anything useful!

-- 
Chris Maloney
http://www.chrismaloney.com

"Knowledge is good"
-- Emil Faber