Hypersexuality, also called compulsive sexual behavior or sexual addiction, causes a person to have an intense focus on sexual fantasies, behaviors and urges that they cannot control. The result of this intense fixation can have a negative impact on many different areas of that person’s life.

While sexual behavior in and of itself isn’t harmful, it can become so when it turns into a constant focus in a person’s life, is difficult to control or manage, and causes harm to oneself or others. One study found that around 8.6% of its participants showed significant signs of hypersexuality, with men a slightly larger percentage than women. Hypersexuality can involve a number of commonly enjoyed sexual experiences, such as:

• Masturbation
• Sexting or other virtual sex-related communication
• Multiple sexual partners
• Pornography
• Paying for sex

Although hypersexuality isn’t universally recognized as its own mental health condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) does recognize it as a compulsive sexual disorder. Many health care professionals also see hypersexuality as a symptom of an impulse-control disorder or some mood or personality disorders, such as bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. Untreated hypersexuality can negatively impact:

• Your relationships
• Your self-esteem
• Your career
• Your physical health
• Other people in your life

Sexual behaviors themselves aren’t the cause of this condition. It’s the fixation on these behaviors that can lead to compulsive and unhealthy sexual behavior. However, the right treatment can help you learn how to manage this compulsive behavior.

Common causes of hypersexuality

It’s not always clear what causes hypersexuality, but there are a number of factors that can contribute to this disorder. Here is a list of some of the common causes and contributing factors of hypersexuality: 

• An imbalance of natural brain chemicals — The human brain contains certain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Some of these chemicals are serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, and they help regulate your mood. If these chemicals get out of balance, your sexual desires and behaviors may be affected. This can increase those behaviors, causing hypersexuality. 
• Conditions that affect the brain — Some health conditions like dementia can cause damage to different parts of the brain. Depending on what part of the brain is damaged or changed, it can affect sexual desire and behavior. Additionally, certain medicines that treat Parkinson’s disease may cause compulsive sexual behavior in some people (this is a relatively rare side effect). 
• Changes in neural pathways — Over time, compulsive sexual behavior can cause changes in the brain’s neural pathways. This is more common in the areas of the brain related to reinforcement. As this compulsive sexual behavior grows, a higher level of intensity for sexual content and stimulation may be needed to get satisfaction or relief. These changes can make hypersexuality more intense. 
• Other mental health disorders — Some mental health disorders can contribute to symptoms of hypersexuality. For instance, people with borderline personality disorder may sometimes use sexual behavior as a coping mechanism to manage intense emotional distress or negative feelings. For people with bipolar disorder, periods of mania may also come with a drastically increased libido, which can manifest as hypersexuality. Importantly, while hypersexuality can be a symptom of these disorders, not everyone with these conditions will experience hypersexuality.

Hypersexuality can be difficult to define and even harder to diagnose. Many experts find it difficult to determine what level of sexual desire or sex drive is an unhealthy or excessive level. However, if your compulsive sexual behavior is negatively impacting other areas of your life, you might have hypersexuality. 

Common treatments for hypersexuality

The goal of treating your hypersexuality is to help you learn how to manage your compulsive sexual urges and reduce the negative effects of those urges in your day-to-day life. Here are a few ways your health care professional may suggest you seek treatment:. 

• Psychotherapy — Therapy is a great place to help you learn how to manage your compulsive sexual behavior. Through therapy, you can learn to identify unhealthy mindsets and behaviors and figure out how to replace them with better ones.
• Medication — In addition to traditional therapy, medication may be beneficial for some people. Certain medications can act on the chemicals in the brain that are linked to obsessive or compulsive thoughts and behaviors. Here are a few of the possible medication options:
• Antidepressants
• Naltrexone
• Mood stabilizers
• Anti-androgens

Which medicine is best for you will depend on your situation and other mental health conditions you may have. Talk with your therapist to see what treatment may be right for you.

• Self-help groups — Support groups can be a positive environment for people who deal with compulsive sexual behavior. Knowing other people who deal with the same challenges as you can help you learn how to navigate your own issues. These groups are often modeled after the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). In these groups, you can:
• Learn about hypersexuality
• Receive support and empathy for your struggles 
• Discover the treatments that other people have successfully used
• Find accountability to help prevent relapses

Depending on where you live, you may be able to find in-person or online groups for hypersexuality. Ask your therapist or health care provider for support group recommendations.

Over time, these treatments can decrease your sexual compulsion. However, you should still be able to enjoy a healthy level of sexual activities and relationships. 

At Lightfully Behavioral Health, we offer evidence-based, whole-person-centered care for our clients. If your compulsive sexual behavior is negatively affecting your mental health, help is available. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.