Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin on Sexual Well-Being in Patients With Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency and Healthy Controls

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phasePhase 2
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

About this trial

The study aims to investigate whether intranasal oxytocin (OXT) improves sexual well-being in patients with Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency (AVP-D). The trial consists of two parts: Part A assesses the effect of OXT on sexual well-being and intimacy over a 7-day treatment period in participants in a stable partnership. Part B assesses the effect of a single dose OXT on sexual arousal, fear and empathy in a clinical setting and is designed for single participants and those in partnerships.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Adult healthy volunteers aged 18 years and above

Matched for age, sex, BMI, and menopause/hormonal contraceptives to patients

No medication, except hormonal contraception

At least mild impairment in sexual function and satisfaction, defined as an ASEX-score ≥10 points and an NSSS-S score ≤ 48 points

Disqualifiers

Pregnancy and breastfeeding within the last eight weeks

Participation in a trial with investigational drugs within 30 days

Active substance use disorder within the last six months

Consumption of alcoholic beverages >15 drinks/week

Trial design

Design model

Crossover

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Oxytocin nasal spray

    Drug

    24 IU

  • Placebo

    Drug

    0.9% NaCl

Treatment groups

42 Participants
are divided into 4 treatment groups
Group A: Oxy part A: 7 Day treatmentExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Placebo part A: 7 Day treatmentPlacebo comparator 1 intervention
Group C: Oxy part B: single applicationExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group D: Placebo Oxy part B: single applicationPlacebo comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) (Part A)

Subjective improvement in sexual well-being and intimacy, defined as a score decrease of 3 or more points on the ASEX (score range: 5-30). Only assessed in Part A

Time frame
before treatment and after the 7 day treatement period
2

New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS-S) (Part A)

Subjective improvement in sexual well-being and intimacy, with an increase of 3 or more points on the NSSS-S (score range: 12-60). Only assessed in Part A

Time frame
before treatment and after the 7 day treatement period

Secondary outcomes

1

sexual well-being and intimacy in response to sexual intercourse assesssed by ASEX (Part A)

sexual well-being and intimacy in response to sexual intercourse assesssed by ASEX (score range: 5-30, while 30 indicates higher well-being). Comparison of success rates in the primary endpoint between patients with AVP-D and healthy controls

Time frame
before treatment and after the 7 day treatement period
2

sexual well-being and intimacy in response to sexual intercourse assesssed by NSSS-S (Part A)

sexual well-being and intimacy in response to sexual intercourse assesssed by NSSS-S (score range: 12-60, while 60 indicates higher well-being). Comparison of success rates in the primary endpoint between patients with AVP-D and healthy controls

Time frame
before treatment and after the 7 day treatement period
3

Subjective sexual satisfaction and intimacy of the respective partners (Part A)

Levels of sexual satisfaction and intimacy using the short version of the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS-S), completed by the partners.

Time frame
before treatment and after the 7 day treatement period
4

Hormonal response to sexual intercourse (Part B)

Area under the salivary cortisol concentration curves in response to sexual Intercourse

Time frame
at the day of assessement, 2.5 hours

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

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