This online article discusses and evaluates the use of drugs to reduce levels of testosterone, an androgen or hormone involved in the development of male characteristics, in the body as an autism treatment. Some have suggested that testosterone regulation can reduce mercury toxicity or sexually inappropriate behavior in people on the autism spectrum, although the article indicates that these claims are not accepted by the scientific community.

The article notes that there is no reliable research evidence to support the idea that testosterone regulation can be an effective autism treatment. The article also warns that the testosterone regulator Leuprolide is associated with significant side effects, and that it could cause permanent damage to sexual functioning of children and adolescents. Therefore, the article recommends that testosterone regulation should not be used as an autism treatment.

Research Autism was a charity funding research in autism interventions. Research Autism’s information services have been absorbed by the National Autistic Society (NAS). Founded in 1962, the NAS “provide[s] information, support and pioneering services, and campaign[s] for a better world for autistic people. [Website]