Sex differences in addiction: gonadal hormones and substance use effects in women

TL;DR

This paper explores how sex differences, particularly related to gonadal hormones, affect addiction and treatment outcomes in women.

Contribution

It highlights the role of ovarian hormones in influencing substance use behaviors and treatment responses in women.

Findings

Women with SUD are more vulnerable and less likely to seek treatment compared to men.

Gonadal hormones like estrogen and progesterone may modulate drug-related behaviors.

DHEA and other GABA-A receptor modulators are implicated in addiction mechanisms.

Abstract

Substance use disorders (SUD) affect differentially women and men. Although the prevalence has been reported higher in men, those women with addictive disorders present a more vulnerable profile and are less likely to enter treatment than men. The aim of this presentation is to present an overview of how gonadal hormones may influence in response to substances, clinical differences in the addictive disorders and implications in treatment response.Ovarian steroid hormones (estrogen, progesterone), the metabolites of progesterone, and negative allosteric modulators of the gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA-A) receptor, such as dehydroepiandrostenedione (DHEA) may influence the behavioral effects of drugs.

None Declared