Sexual function and affect in parkinsonian men treated with L-dopa

Am J Psychiatry. 1978 Dec;135(12):1552-5. doi: 10.1176/ajp.135.12.1552.

Abstract

Using psychiatric interviews, sexual and affect rating scales, hormonal studies, and neurologic assessment, the authors assessed the effect of L-dopa treatment on men with Parkinson's disease. Patients demonstrated variable affect changes. Approximately one-half of the patients reported an increased sexual interest that was not related to improvement in locomotor function. Hormonal factors appeared to be involved. The findings suggest that male parkinsonian patients who possess an intact hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis experience increased sexual function related to L-dopa treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Affect / drug effects*
  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / physiopathology
  • Levodopa / adverse effects
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use*
  • Libido / drug effects
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / blood
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
  • Parkinson Disease / psychology
  • Sexual Behavior / drug effects*
  • Testis / physiopathology

Substances

  • Levodopa
  • Luteinizing Hormone