Login Register Cart 0
Generic placeholder image

Current Drug Therapy

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1574-8855
ISSN (Online): 2212-3903

Back
Journal Home About Journal Editorial Board Journal Insight Current Issue Volumes/Issues
Subscribe
Systematic Review Article

The Effect of Intranasal Oxytocin on Sexual Function in Men and Women: A Systematic Review

Author(s): Zahra Ghorbani and Mojgan Mirghafourvand*

Volume 18, Issue 1, 2023

Published on: 19 September, 2022

Page: [15 - 27] Pages: 13

DOI: 10.2174/1574885517666220823164357

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: Intranasal oxytocin can be used as a promising moiety for the treatment of sexual disorders.

Objective: This study was carried out to systematically review the effect of intranasal oxytocin on sexual function in men and women.

Methods: We systematically searched databases (e.g., Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials Library, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, Google Scholar and Persian databases). All types of published clinical trials comparing different doses of intranasal oxytocin sprays with placebo sprays were included in the study. The primary outcome was sexual function and secondary outcomes were endocrine and cardiovascular measures and also side effects.

Results: A total of six studies were ultimately eligible for inclusion in the study. Though intranasal oxytocin improves various parameters of sexual function in men and women, according to the sexual response cycle, these changes are not statistically meaningful compared to the control group. Only one study revealed a meaningful impact on orgasm parameters and after orgasm, especially in men. In all studies, intranasal oxytocin administration has significantly and transiently increased plasma concentrations of oxytocin with no meaningful effect on other endocrine hormones. A study showed that the heartbeat is increased transiently during the arousal and orgasm stages, and such increase is meaningfully higher in men than in women.

Conclusion: Intranasal oxytocin administration fails to meaningfully affect the classical parameters of sexual response, but it improves the orgasmic and post-orgasmic dimensions, especially in men. To evaluate the effects of intranasal oxytocin administrations, we need more long-term clinical trials.

Keywords: Intranasal, oxytocin, sexual function, men, women, clinical trial.

« Previous Next »
Graphical Abstract

[1]
Sungur MZ, Gündüz A. A comparison of DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 definitions for sexual dysfunctions: Critiques and challenges. J Sex Med 2014; 11(2): 364-73.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12379] [PMID: 24251541]
[2]
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5®). (5th ed.), Washington, DC: APA 2013.
[3]
Bancroft J. The endocrinology of sexual arousal. J Endocrinol 2005; 186(3): 411-27.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1677/joe.1.06233] [PMID: 16135662]
[4]
Valstad M, Alvares GA, Egknud M, et al. The correlation between central and peripheral oxytocin concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 78: 117-24.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.04.017] [PMID: 28442403]
[5]
Motofei IG, Rowland DL. Informational dichotomy of the mind; the role of sexual neuromodulators. J Mind Med Sci 2017; 4(1): 19-23.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.22543/7674.41.P1923]
[6]
Khajehei M, Behroozpour E. Endorphins, oxytocin, sexuality and romantic relationships. World J Obstet Gynecol 2018; 7(2): 17-23.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.5317/wjog.v7.i2.17]
[7]
Mendelson SD, Gorzalka BB. A facilitatory role for serotonin in the sexual behavior of the female rat. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1985; 22(6): 1025-33.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0091-3057(85)90313-2] [PMID: 3161094]
[8]
Halaris A. Neurochemical aspects of the sexual response cycle. CNS Spectr 2003; 8(3): 211-6.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1092852900024445] [PMID: 12595815]
[9]
Alley JC, Diamond LM. Oxytocin and human sexuality: Recent developments. Curr Sex Health Rep 2020; 12(3): 182-5.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11930-020-00274-4]
[10]
Caldwell HK. Oxytocin and sex differences in behavior. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2018; 23: 13-20.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2018.02.002]
[11]
Blaicher W, Gruber D, Bieglmayer C, Blaicher AM, Knogler W, Huber JC. The role of oxytocin in relation to female sexual arousal. Gynecol Obstet Invest 1999; 47(2): 125-6.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000010075] [PMID: 9949283]
[12]
Dale HH. On some physiological actions of ergot. J Physiol 1906; 34(3): 163-206.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.1906.sp001148] [PMID: 16992821]
[13]
Du Vigneaud V. Trail of sulfur research: From insulin to oxytocin. Science 1956; 123(3205): 967-74.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.123.3205.967] [PMID: 13324123]
[14]
Magon N, Kalra S. The orgasmic history of oxytocin: Love, lust, and labor. Indian J Endocrinol Metab 2011; 15(7): S156-61.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/2230-8210.84851] [PMID: 22029018]
[15]
Muin DA, Sheikh Rezaei S, Tremmel-Scheinost M, et al. Men’s sexual response to female partner’s intranasal oxytocin administration for hypoactive sexual desire disorder: An open prospective cohort study. Fertil Steril 2017; 107(3): 781-787.e3.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.12.003] [PMID: 28189292]
[16]
Macdonald K, Feifel D. Oxytocin in schizophrenia: A review of evidence for its therapeutic effects. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2012; 24(3): 130-46.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1601-5215.2011.00634.x] [PMID: 22736892]
[17]
Alvares GA, Quintana DS, Whitehouse AJ. Beyond the hype and hope: Critical considerations for intranasal oxytocin research in autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2017; 10(1): 25-41.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aur.1692] [PMID: 27651096]
[18]
De Cagna F, Fusar-Poli L, Damiani S, et al. The role of intranasal oxytocin in anxiety and depressive disorders: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci 2019; 17(1): 1-11.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.9758/cpn.2019.17.1.1] [PMID: 30690935]
[19]
Quintana DS, Lischke A, Grace S, Scheele D, Ma Y, Becker B. Advances in the field of intranasal oxytocin research: Lessons learned and future directions for clinical research. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26(1): 80-91.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41380-020-00864-7] [PMID: 32807845]
[20]
Quintana DS, Smerud KT, Andreassen OA, Djupesland PG. Evidence for intranasal oxytocin delivery to the brain: Recent advances and future perspectives. Ther Deliv 2018; 9(7): 515-25.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4155/tde-2018-0002] [PMID: 29943688]
[21]
Winterton A, Westlye LT, Steen NE, Andreassen OA, Quintana DS. Improving the precision of intranasal oxytocin research. Nat Hum Behav 2021; 5(1): 9-18.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41562-020-00996-4] [PMID: 33257880]
[22]
Graziottin A. Prevalence and evaluation of sexual health problems-HSDD in Europe. J Sex Med 2007; 4 (Suppl. 3): 211-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00447.x] [PMID: 17394593]
[23]
Belkin ZR, Krapf JM, Goldstein AT. Drugs in early clinical development for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2015; 24(2): 159-67.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1517/13543784.2015.978283] [PMID: 25376023]
[24]
Abedi P, Zohrabi I, Ansari S, Maraghi E, Maram NS, Houshmand G. The impact of oxytocin vaginal gel on sexual function in postmenopausal women: A randomized controlled trial. J Sex Marital Ther 2020; 46(4): 377-84.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2020.1738606] [PMID: 32169019]
[25]
Al-Saqi SH, Uvnäs-Moberg K, Jonasson AF. Intravaginally applied oxytocin improves post-menopausal vaginal atrophy. Post Reprod Health 2015; 21(3): 88-97.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2053369115577328] [PMID: 25995333]
[26]
Al-Saqi SH, Jonasson AF, Naessén T, Uvnäs-Moberg K. Oxytocin improves cytological and histological profiles of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women. Post Reprod Health 2016; 22(1): 25-33.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2053369116629042] [PMID: 26883689]
[27]
Jonasson AF, Edwall L, Uvnäs-Moberg K. Topical oxytocin reverses vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: A double-blind randomized pilot study. Menopause Int 2011; 17(4): 120-5.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/mi.2011.011030] [PMID: 22120944]
[28]
Kallak TK, Uvnäs-Moberg K. Oxytocin stimulates cell proliferation in vaginal cell line Vk2E6E7. Post Reprod Health 2017; 23(1): 6-12.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2053369117693148] [PMID: 28381099]
[29]
Torky HA, Taha A, Marie H, et al. Role of topical oxytocin in improving vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: A randomized, controlled trial. Climacteric 2018; 21(2): 174-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2017.1421924] [PMID: 29347848]
[30]
Ghorbani Z, Mirghafourvand M. The efficacy and safety of intravaginal oxytocin on vaginal atrophy: A systematic review. Post Reprod Health 2021; 27(1): 30-41.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2053369120946645] [PMID: 32814499]
[31]
MacDonald K, Feifel D. Dramatic improvement in sexual function induced by intranasal oxytocin. J Sex Med 2012; 9(5): 1407-10.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02703.x] [PMID: 22458365]
[32]
IsHak WW, Berman DS, Peters A. Male anorgasmia treated with oxytocin. J Sex Med 2008; 5(4): 1022-4.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00691.x] [PMID: 18086171]
[33]
Anderson-Hunt M, Dennerstein L. Increased female sexual response after oxytocin. BMJ 1994; 309(6959): 929.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.309.6959.929] [PMID: 7950665]
[34]
Zhang Y, Deiter F, Jung S, Heinrichs M, Schedlowski M, Krüger H. Differential effects of intranasal oxytocin administration on sexual functions in healthy females: A laboratory setting. Eur Psychiatry 2015; 30(S1): 264.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0924-9338(15)30215-7]
[35]
Caruso S, Mauro D, Scalia G, Palermo CI, Rapisarda AMC, Cianci A. Oxytocin plasma levels in orgasmic and anorgasmic women. Gynecol Endocrinol 2018; 34(1): 69-72.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2017.1336219] [PMID: 28604123]
[36]
Teng RB, Zhang XH. Oxytocin and male sexual function. Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue 2011; 17(6): 558-61.
[PMID: 21735659]
[37]
Rupp HA, James TW, Ketterson ED, Sengelaub DR, Ditzen B, Heiman JR. Lower sexual interest in postpartum women: Relationship to amygdala activation and intranasal oxytocin. Horm Behav 2013; 63(1): 114-21.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2012.10.007] [PMID: 23085496]
[38]
Abbasinazari M, Heidari-Kord M, Mazaheri-Meybodi A, Eshraghi A, Bayati N. Plasma oxytocin level and sexual dysfunction in depressed women treated by either fluoxetine or citalopram: A pilot clinical trial. Iran J Pharm Res 2018; 17(1): 408-14.
[PMID: 29755571]
[39]
Muin DA, Wolzt M, Marculescu R, et al. Effect of long-term intranasal oxytocin on sexual dysfunction in premenopausal and postmenopausal women: A randomized trial. Fertil Steril 2015; 104(3): 715-23.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.06.010] [PMID: 26151620]
[40]
Behnia B, Heinrichs M, Bergmann W, et al. Differential effects of intranasal oxytocin on sexual experiences and partner interactions in couples. Horm Behav 2014; 65(3): 308-18.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.01.009] [PMID: 24503174]
[41]
Kruger THC, Deiter F, Zhang Y, et al. Effects of intranasal oxytocin administration on sexual functions in healthy women: A laboratory paradigm. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2018; 38(3): 239-42.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JCP.0000000000000863] [PMID: 29596150]
[42]
Burri A, Heinrichs M, Schedlowski M, Kruger TH. The acute effects of intranasal oxytocin administration on endocrine and sexual function in males. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2008; 33(5): 591-600.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.01.014] [PMID: 18375074]
[43]
Gregory R, Cheng H, Rupp HA, Sengelaub DR, Heiman JR. Oxytocin increases VTA activation to infant and sexual stimuli in nulliparous and postpartum women. Horm Behav 2015; 69: 82-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.12.009] [PMID: 25562711]
[44]
Gossen A, Hahn A, Westphal L, et al. Oxytocin plasma concentrations after single intranasal oxytocin administration-a study in healthy men. Neuropeptides 2012; 46(5): 211-5.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.npep.2012.07.001] [PMID: 22884888]
[45]
Caruso S, Agnello C, Malandrino C, Lo Presti L, Cicero C, Cianci S. Do hormones influence women’s sex? Sexual activity over the menstrual cycle. J Sex Med 2014; 11(1): 211-21.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12348] [PMID: 24344697]
[46]
Macdonald KS. Sex, receptors, and attachment: A review of individual factors influencing response to oxytocin. Front Neurosci 2013; 6: 194.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2012.00194] [PMID: 23335876]
[47]
Ditzen B, Nater UM, Schaer M, et al. Sex-specific effects of intranasal oxytocin on autonomic nervous system and emotional responses to couple conflict. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2013; 8(8): 897-902.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/scan/nss083] [PMID: 22842905]
[48]
Duarte-Guterman P, Lieblich SE, Qiu W, et al. Oxytocin has sex-specific effects on social behaviour and hypothalamic oxytocin immunoreactive cells but not hippocampal neurogenesis in adult rats. Horm Behav 2020; 122: 104734.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104734] [PMID: 32169583]
[49]
Krüger TH, Haake P, Chereath D, et al. Specificity of the neuroendocrine response to orgasm during sexual arousal in men. J Endocrinol 2003; 177(1): 57-64.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1677/joe.0.1770057] [PMID: 12697037]
[50]
Fernando D, Siederer S, Singh S, et al. Safety, Tolerability and pharmacokinetics of single doses of oxytocin administered via an inhaled route in healthy females: Randomized, single-blind, phase 1 study. EBioMedicine 2017; 22: 249-55.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.07.020] [PMID: 28781129]
[51]
MacDonald E, Dadds MR, Brennan JL, Williams K, Levy F, Cauchi AJ. A review of safety, side-effects and subjective reactions to intranasal oxytocin in human research. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2011; 36(8): 1114-26.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.02.015] [PMID: 21429671]

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
Article Metrics
1
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy