Most read story on BBC news when i noticed it
'My dad started spying on my mum' - the drugs causing sexual urges - BBC News https://share.google/jgZmuRy4Q8y0eryQd
Many of the cases we have now learned of involve the exploitation of women and children. These include:
A man who was convicted of child sexual offences after abusing a child
An octogenarian who says he has become addicted to pornography including bestiality and child abuse images
A father of three children who said the drugs left him needing to have sex up to seven times a day - and caused him to walk out on two marriages when partners could not satisfy him
All three men said they had had no previous history of such sexual behaviour before taking the drugs. They also said they felt profound shame about their behaviour but believed the medication helped their conditions.
Other men the BBC spoke to said they did not want to take themselves off the drugs because the medication had led them to discover new sexual interests - which are legal and consensual - and because they enjoyed their increased libido.
One married grandfather in his 60s has begun crossdressing and has entered into online relationships with men. Another man says the drugs disinhibited homosexual feelings he had not previously explored.
My thoughts are all over the place. How commonly are this family of drugs prescribed? How common are these side effects? Apparently they're prescribed to all ages, both sexes. What effect do the have on women who are prescribed them. Apart from being at risk from men who are taking them, do women exhibit sexually risky behaviour that could put them in danger?
I can understand people wanting to maintain access to the drugs if they relieve symptoms of really unpleasant conditions. But am I alone in thinking that the side effects might also be rather enjoyable. Perhaps relieving the symptoms is an excuse to keep enjoying the side effects. Although perhaps not always.
Then there's me wondering if the urges actually came from nowhere or if they're just disinhibited to do what they've thought about doing anyway?
Finally, will this be the new 'rough sex' defence? 'M'lud, I wouldn't have raped that child except I was on these drugs'. I don't believe any drugs can remove a person's agency. Unless they're really far gone with something like dementia. They may make the intrusive thoughts harder to resist but giving into them is still a conscious act.