Anaphrodisiac
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An anaphrodisiac (also antaphrodisiac or antiaphrodisiac) is a substance that quells or blunts the
Available anaphrodisiacs classes of substances
Some common anaphrodisiacs are ethanol (alcohol) and tobacco, but this is typically an unintended consequence and not often the main reason for use. While alcohol is used socially because it initially reduces mental inhibitions, studies have shown that over time alcohol physically decreases arousal and makes achieving climax more difficult.[3] For this reason alcohol is considered an anaphrodisiac.
Opioids, a class of pain-reducing substances which include morphine, heroin, and hydrocodone, are anaphrodisiacs.
Side effects of certain antidepressant medications commonly include those taking anaphrodisiac form (there is even a term for the phenomenon among one particularly notorious group – SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction); however, psychotropic drugs are not currently prescribed for reliable anaphroditic effects.
History
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Herbal anaphrodisiacs have been employed by various religious sects and orders throughout history. Barrister Sir
Scientific study
Studies have evaluated the effect of herbal anaphrodisiacs on men and women. These include studies on the effect of substances on both hormone levels and behaviour.
The mechanism of the active component of some plant-based anaphrodisiacs may be the inhibition of enzymes that catalyze the conversion of sex-hormone precursors into androstenedione, which promotes the reduction of sexual urges. Studies have demonstrated that some of these products inhibit 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17,20-lyase, which catalyzes the conversion of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone to androstenedione to testosterone.[9]
In one study a group of men were given an anaphrodisiac and the effect on the metabolism of mineralocorticoids in these men was recorded. During the period of administration, the testosterone concentrations decreased and the serum 17α-hydroxyprogesterone concentrations increased. Testosterone levels fell by about 40% after administration and returned to normal after usage was discontinued.[10] However, the actual effect of these medicines on sexual desire was not measured in the study.
The amino acid 5-HTP, or
A 2003 study has found that glycyrrhizin, the compound in liquorice root, can lower levels of testosterone. The findings back up a previous study about the hormonal effects of liquorice (whose results could not be replicated in other studies in the past). The Iranian scientists came to the conclusion that the regular consumption of liquorice can lower libido in men. However, the study also showed that the level of testosterone normalizes after abstinence of liquorice within a few days and the effects completely disappear.[11]
List of putative anaphrodisiacs
- Chasteberry
- Common rue[12]
- Mashua
- Boldo
- White lily
- Licorice[13]
See also
Categories
References
- ^ Gawin, Frank H. "Pharmacologic enhancement of the erotic: Implications of an expanded definition of aphrodisiacs." Journal of Sex Research 14.2 (1978): 107–117.
- ^ Bills, S. A., and DAVID F. Duncan. "Drugs and sex: a survey of college students' beliefs." Perceptual and Motor Skills 72.3_suppl (1991): 1293–1294.
- JSTOR 3812507.
- ^ Browne, Douglas G.; Tullett, E.V. (1955). Bernard Spilsbury: his life and cases. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books. pp. 31–54.
- ^ Filson Young (1954). Harry Hodge (ed.). Famous Trials. Vol. I. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books. p. 124.
- ^ Rebal Jr, Ronald F., Robert A. Faguet, and Sherwyn M. Woods. "Unusual sexual syndromes." Extraordinary Disorders of Human Behavior. Springer US, 1982. 121-154.
- ^ Freed, Charles S., and William S. Kroger. "Psychologic manifestations of the menstrual cycle." Psychosomatic medicine 12.4 (1950): 229–235.
- ^ Rosen, Raymond C. "Alcohol and drug effects on sexual response: Human experimental and clinical studies." Annual review of sex research 2.1 (1991): 119–179.
- ^ Farese RV Jr, Biglieri EG, Shackleton CHL, Irony I, Gomez-Fontes R. glycyrrhetinic acid-induced hypermineralocorticoidism. N Engl J Med 1991;325:1223-1227. [Medline]
- ^ Yaginuma T, Izumi R, Yasui H, Arai T, Kawabata M Effect of traditional herbal medicine on serum testosterone levels and its induction of regular ovulation in hyperandrogenic and oligomenorrheic women [Article in Japanese]. Nippon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi 1982 Jul;34(7):939-44
- ^ "Liquorice risk to men's sex life". BBC News. 17 September 2003.
- ^ "Hyrtl mentions (loc. cit. ii, p. 94), rue (Ruta graveolens) was considered a sexual sedative by the monks of old, who on this account assiduously cultivated it in their cloister gardens to make vinum rutæ."
- S2CID 23274304.