Hypersexuality

There is little consensus among experts as to the causes of hypersexuality. Some research suggests that some cases can be linked to biochemical or physiological changes that accompany dementia, as dementia can lead to disinhibition.{{Cite journal |last1=Cipriani |first1=Gabriele |last2=Ulivi |first2=Martina |last3=Danti |first3=Sabrina |last4=Lucetti |first4=Claudio |last5=Nuti |first5=Angelo |date=March 2016 |title=Sexual disinhibition and dementia: Sexual disinhibition and dementia |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/psyg.12143 |journal=Psychogeriatrics |language=en |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=145–153 |doi=10.1111/psyg.12143|pmid=26215977 |s2cid=43886263 }} Psychological needs also complicate the biological explanation, which identifies the temporal/frontal lobe of the brain as the area for regulating libido. Injuries to this part of the brain increase the risk of aggressive behavior and other behavioral problems including personality changes and "socially inappropriate" sexual behavior such as hypersexuality or pedophilia.{{cite journal|last=Robinson|first=Karen M. DNS, RN, CS, FAAN|title=Understanding Hypersexuality: A Behavioral Disorder of Dementia|journal=Home Healthcare Nurse|date=January 2003|volume=21|issue=1|pages=43–47|doi=10.1097/00004045-200301000-00010|pmid=12544463|s2cid=35691077}} The same symptom can occur after unilateral temporal lobotomy.{{cite journal|last1=Devinsky|first1=Julie|first2=Oliver |last2=Devinsk |first3=Orrin |last3=Sacks |title=Neurocase: The Neural Basis of Cognition|journal=Klüver–Bucy Syndrome, Hypersexuality, and the Law|date=18 Nov 2009|volume=16|issue=2|pages=140–145|doi=10.1080/13554790903329182|pmid=19927260|s2cid=23738965}} There are other biological factors that are associated with hypersexuality such as premenstrual changes, and the exposure to virilising hormones in childhood or in utero.

In research involving the use of antiandrogens to reduce undesirable sexual behaviour such as hypersexuality, testosterone has been found to be necessary, but not sufficient, for sexual drive.{{Cite journal | doi=10.1080/09585189508409891|title = Hypersexuality revisited| journal=The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry| volume=6| issue=2| pages=255–258|year = 1995|last1 = Catalan|first1 = Jose| last2=Singh| first2=Ashok}} A lack of physical closeness and forgetfulness of the recent past were proposed as other potential factors (specifically in the context of hypersexual behavior exhibited by people suffering from dementia).

Pathogenic overactivity of the dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway in the brain—forming either psychiatrically, during mania,{{cite journal

| last1 = Silverstone T

| title = Dopamine in manic depressive illness. A pharmacological synthesis

| journal = Journal of Affective Disorders

| volume = 8

| pages = 225–231

| year = 1985

| pmid=2862169

| first1 = T

| issue = 3

| doi = 10.1016/0165-0327(85)90020-5

}} or pharmacologically, as a side effect of dopamine agonists, specifically D₃-preferring agonists{{cite web |url= https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/203739.html |title= MedlinePlus Drug Information: Pramipexole (Systemic) |access-date= 2006-09-27 |publisher= United States National Library of Medicine |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060926023858/https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/203739.html |archive-date = 2006-09-26}}{{cite journal |year=1995 |title=Bromocriptine and psychosis: A literature review|journal=Psychiatric Quarterly |volume=66 |issue=1 |pages=87–95 |doi=10.1007/BF02238717 |pmid= 7701022|last1=Boyd|first1=Alan|s2cid=29539691}}—is associated with various addictions{{cite journal |vauthors=Arias-Carrión O, Pöppel E | title = Dopamine, learning and reward-seeking behavior | journal = Acta Neurobiol Exp | volume = 67 | issue = 4 | pages = 481–488 | year = 2007 | doi = 10.55782/ane-2007-1664 | pmid = 18320725 | doi-access = free }}{{cite journal | title = Is There A Common Molecular Pathway For Addiction? | doi = 10.1038/nn1578 | journal = Nature Neuroscience | volume = 8 | issue = 11 | pages = 1445–1449 | year = 2005 | url=http://dept.wofford.edu/neuroscience/NeuroSeminar/pdfSpring2006/a7.pdf | pmid = 16251986 | last1 = Nestler | first1 = Eric J. | s2cid = 6120032 }} and has been shown to result among some in overindulgent, sometimes hypersexual, behavior. HPA axis dysregulation has been associated with hypersexual disorder.{{Cite journal |pmid = 26519779|year = 2016|last1 = Chatzittofis|first1 = A.|last2 = Arver|first2 = S.|last3 = Öberg|first3 = K.|last4 = Hallberg|first4 = J.|last5 = Nordström|first5 = P.|last6 = Jokinen|first6 = J.|title = HPA axis dysregulation in men with hypersexual disorder|journal = Psychoneuroendocrinology|volume = 63|pages = 247–253|doi = 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.10.002|hdl = 10616/45066|s2cid = 44319298|hdl-access = free}}

The American Association for Sex Addiction Therapy acknowledges biological factors as contributing causes of sex addiction. Other associated factors include psychological components (which affect mood and motivation as well as psychomotor and cognitive functions{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/specialist/knowledge/fatique/introduction/psychological_components_en|title=Psychological components|website=Mobility and transport – European Commission|language=en|access-date=2018-06-18|date=2016-10-17}}), spiritual control, mood disorders, sexual trauma, and intimacy anorexia as causes or type of sex addiction.{{Cite web|url=https://aasat.org/|title=American Association For Sex Addiction Therapy|website=aasat.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-18}}{{better source needed|date=January 2024}}

Hypersexuality is known to present itself as a symptom in connection to a number of mental and neurological disorders. Some people with borderline personality disorder (sometimes referred to as BPD) can be markedly impulsive, seductive, and extremely sexual. Sexual promiscuity, sexual obsessions, and hypersexuality are very common symptoms for both men and women with BPD. On occasion for some there can be extreme forms of paraphilic drives and desires. "Borderline" patients, due in the opinion of some to the use of splitting, experience love and sexuality in unstable ways.{{cite book|last=Mitchell|first=Stephen|title=Freud and Beyond: A History of Modern Psychoanalytic Thought|year=1995|publisher=Basic Books|location=New York|isbn=978-0-465-01405-7|url=https://archive.org/details/freudbeyondhisto00mitc|url-access=registration|author-link=Stephen A. Mitchell (psychologist)}}

People with bipolar disorder may often display tremendous swings in sex drive depending on their mood.{{Cite web |last=Flanigan |first=Robin L. |date=2021-06-02 |title=Help for Hypersexuality—When Impulsive Behavior Becomes a Problem |url=https://www.bphope.com/help-for-hypersexuality/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=bpHope.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite journal |title=Hypersexuality and couple relationships in bipolar disorder: A review |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032715306649 |journal=Journal of Affective Disorders|date=May 2016 |volume=195 |pages=1–14 |doi=10.1016/j.jad.2016.01.035 |last1=Kopeykina |first1=Irina |last2=Kim |first2=Hae-Joon |last3=Khatun |first3=Tasnia |last4=Boland |first4=Jennifer |last5=Haeri |first5=Sophia |last6=Cohen |first6=Lisa J. |last7=Galynker |first7=Igor I. }} As defined in the DSM-IV-TR, hypersexuality can be a symptom of hypomania or mania in bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder. Pick's disease causes damage to the temporal/frontal lobe of the brain; people with Pick's disease show a range of socially inappropriate behaviors.{{cite book|last=Cummings|first=J. L.|title=Dementia: A clinical approach (2nd ed)|publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann|location=Boston}}

Several neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, autism,{{Cite journal | last1 = Jones | first1 = M. C. | last2 = Okere | first2 = K. | doi = 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e318180b3de | title = Treatment of Hypersexual Behavior with Oral Estrogen in an Autistic Male | journal = Southern Medical Journal | volume = 101 | issue = 9 | pages = 959–960 | year = 2008 | pmid = 18708975| s2cid = 27225525 }}{{cite journal |vauthors=Dhikav V, Anand K, Aggarwal N | title = Grossly disinhibited sexual behavior in dementia of Alzheimer's type | journal = Arch Sex Behav | volume = 36 | issue = 2 | pages = 133–4 |date=April 2007 | pmid = 17308974 | doi = 10.1007/s10508-006-9144-1 | s2cid = 19434520 }} various types of brain injury,{{cite journal | doi = 10.1136/jnnp.49.8.867 |vauthors=Miller BL, Cummings JL, McIntyre H, Ebers G, Grode M | title = Hypersexuality or altered sexual preference following brain injury | journal = J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry | volume = 49 | issue = 8 | pages = 867–73 |date=August 1986 | pmid = 3746322 | pmc = 1028946 }} Klüver–Bucy syndrome,{{cite web|url=https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Kl%C3%BCver-Bucy-Syndrome-Information-Page|title=NINDS Klüver–Bucy Syndrome Information Page|author=National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke|access-date=2009-10-10|archive-date=2017-01-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104204845/http://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Kl%C3%BCver-Bucy-Syndrome-Information-Page|url-status=dead}} Kleine–Levin syndrome,{{cite journal |vauthors=Arnulf I, Zeitzer JM, File J, Farber N, Mignot E | title = Kleine–Levin syndrome: a systematic review of 186 cases in the literature |journal = Brain | volume = 128 | issue = Pt 12 | pages = 2763–76 |date=December 2005 | pmid = 16230322 | doi = 10.1093/brain/awh620 | doi-access = free }} Epilepsy{{Cite journal |last1=Rees |first1=Peter |last2=Fowler |first2=Clare |last3=Maas |first3=Cornelis |date=2007 |title=Sexual function in men and women with neurological disorders |url=https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(07)60238-4/abstract |journal=Lancet |volume=369 |issue=9560|pages=512–525 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(07)60238-4 }} and many neurodegenerative diseases can cause hypersexual behavior. Sexually inappropriate behavior has been shown to occur in 7–8% of Alzheimer's patients living at home, at a care facility or in a hospital setting. Hypersexuality has also been reported to result as a side-effect of some medications used to treat Parkinson's disease.{{cite journal | last1=Vogel | first1=H. P. | last2=Schiffter | first2=R. | year=1983 | title=Hypersexuality: A complication of dopaminergic therapy in Parkinson's disease | journal=Pharmacopsychiatria | volume=16 | issue=4 | pages=107–110 | pmid=6685318 | doi=10.1055/s-2007-1017459| s2cid=1107353 }}{{cite journal | last1=Uitti | first1=Ryan J. | last2=Tanner | first2=C. M. | last3=Rajput | first3=A. H. | last4=Goetz | first4=C. G. | last5=Klawans | first5=H. L. | last6=Thiessen | first6=B. | year=1989 | title=Hypersexuality with antiparkinsonian therapy | journal=Clinical Neuropharmacology | volume=12 | issue=5 | pages=375–383 | pmid=2575449 | doi=10.1097/00002826-198910000-00002 }} Some recreationally used drugs, such as methamphetamine, may also contribute to hypersexual behavior.{{cite journal | pmc=1525267 | year=2006 | last1=Mansergh | first1=G. | last2=Purcell | first2=D. W. | last3=Stall | first3=R. | last4=McFarlane | first4=M. | last5=Semaan | first5=S. | last6=Valentine | first6=J. | last7=Valdiserri | first7=R. | title=CDC Consultation on Methamphetamine Use and Sexual Risk Behavior for HIV/STD Infection: Summary and Suggestions | journal=Public Health Reports | volume=121 | issue=2 | pages=127–132 | doi=10.1177/003335490612100205 |doi-access=free | pmid=16528944 }}

A positive link between the severity of dementia and occurrence of inappropriate behavior has also been found.{{cite journal|last=Burns|first=A. |author2=Jacoby, R. |author3=Levy, R.|title=Psychiatric phenomena in Alzheimer's disease. IV: Disorders of behavior.|journal=British Journal of Psychiatry|year=1990|volume=157|pages=86–94|pmid=2397368|doi=10.1192/bjp.157.1.86|s2cid=28199198 }} Hypersexuality can be caused by dementia in a number of ways, including disinhibition due to organic disease, misreading of social cues, understimulation, the persistence of learned sexual behavior after other behaviours have been lost, and the side-effects of the drugs used to treat dementia.{{Cite journal | last1 = Series | first1 = H. | last2 = Dégano | first2 = P. | title = Hypersexuality in dementia | journal = Advances in Psychiatric Treatment | volume = 11 | issue = 6 | pages = 424 | year = 2005 | doi = 10.1192/apt.11.6.424}} Other possible causes of dementia-related hypersexuality include an inappropriately expressed psychological need for intimacy and forgetfulness of the recent past. As this illness progresses, increasing hypersexuality has been theorized to sometimes compensate for declining self-esteem and cognitive function.{{Cite journal |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/10937151 |doi=10.1097/00004045-200301000-00010|title=Understanding Hypersexuality |year=2003 |last1=Robinson |first1=Karen M. |journal=Home Healthcare Nurse: The Journal for the Home Care and Hospice Professional |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=43–47 |pmid=12544463 |s2cid=35691077 }}

Symptoms of hypersexuality are also similar to those of sexual addiction in that they embody similar traits. These symptoms include the inability to be intimate (intimacy anorexia), depression and bipolar disorders.{{Cite book|title=The Final Freedom: Pioneering Sexual Addiction Recovery|last=Douglas.|first=Weiss|date=1998|publisher=Discovery Press|isbn=978-1881292371|location=Fort Worth, Tex.|pages=31–34|oclc=38983487}} The resulting hypersexuality may have an impact in the person's social and occupational domains if the underlying symptoms have a large enough systemic influence.{{Cite book|title=The Final Freedom: Pioneering Sexual Addiction Recovery|last=Douglas.|first=Weiss|date=1998|publisher=Discovery Press|isbn=978-1881292371|location=Fort Worth, Tex.|pages=87–88, 92–93|oclc=38983487}}{{Cite book|title=Sex Addiction: 6 Types and Treatment|last=Weiss|first=Douglas|publisher=Discovery Press|year=2007|isbn=978-1-881292-36-4|location=Fort Worth, Texas|pages=33}}

{{Main|Sexual addiction|Hypersexual disorder}}

In 2010, a proposal to add Sexual Addiction to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) system has failed to get support of the American Psychiatric Association (APA).{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-02-10-dsm10_ST_N.htm | work=USA Today | first=Rita | last=Rubin | title=Psychiatry's bible: Autism, binge-eating updates proposed for 'DSM' | date=2010-02-09}}{{cite news|url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-02-10/entertainment/27055937_1_autism-mental-disorders-mental-illness |location=New York |work=Daily News |title=Black Friday deals for Target, H&M, Forever21, Old Navy, Radio Shack and more |date=2010-02-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727055212/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-02-10/entertainment/27055937_1_autism-mental-disorders-mental-illness |archive-date=July 27, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2010/02/10/new-diagnostic-guidelines-for-mental-illnesses-proposed |title=New Diagnostic Guidelines for Mental Illnesses Proposed|publisher=Health.usnews.com |date=2010-02-10 |access-date=2012-06-22}} The DSM does include an entry called Sexual Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (Sexual Disorder NOS) to apply to, among other conditions, "distress about a pattern of repeated sexual relationships involving a succession of lovers who are experienced by the individual only as things to be used".{{Cite book |doi=10.1176/appi.books.9780890423349|title=Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) |year=2000 |volume=1 |isbn=0-89042-334-2 }} {{As of|December 2024}} the DSM-5-TR, does not recognize a diagnosis of sexual addiction.{{cite book | last=Martinez-Gilliard | first=Erin | title=Sex, Social Justice, and Intimacy in Mental Health Practice: Incorporating Sexual Health in Approaches to Wellness | publisher=Taylor & Francis | year=2023 | isbn=978-1-000-84578-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y1yqEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT113 | access-date=5 March 2023 | page=unpaginated | quote='Sex addiction' is also referred to as a diagnosis or presenting problem. Sex addiction is not a diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR and identified as Compulsive Sexual Behavior in the ICD-11 rather than an issue of addiction.}}

The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) of the World Health Organization (WHO), includes two relevant entries. One is "Excessive Sexual Drive" (coded F52.7),{{cite web|url=http://thcc.or.th/ICD-10TM/gf50.htm |title=2012 ICD-10 Diagnosis Code F52.7 : Excessive sexual drive |access-date=2013-02-22}} which is divided into satyriasis for males and nymphomania for females. The other is "Excessive Masturbation" or "Onanism (excessive)" (coded F98.8).{{cite web|url=http://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/F01-F99/F90-F98/F98-/F98.8 |title=2012 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code F98.8 : Other specified behavioral and emotional disorders with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence |publisher=Icd10data.com |access-date=2012-06-22}}

In 1988, Levine and Troiden questioned whether it makes sense to discuss hypersexuality at all, arguing that labeling sexual urges "extreme" merely stigmatizes people who do not conform to the norms of their culture or peer group, and that sexual compulsivity be a myth.{{cite journal |last1=Levine |first1=M. P. |last2=Troiden |first2=R. R. |year=1988 |title=The Myth of Sexual Compulsivity |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/24115543/The-Myth-of-Sexual-Compulsivity |journal=Journal of Sex Research |volume=25 |issue=3 |pages=347–363 |doi=10.1080/00224498809551467 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202174943/http://www.scribd.com/doc/24115543/The-Myth-of-Sexual-Compulsivity |archive-date=2014-02-02 }} However, and in contrast to this view, 30 years later in 2018, the ICD-11 created a new condition classification, compulsive sexual behaviour disorder, to cover "a persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges resulting in repetitive sexual behaviour". It classifies this "failure to control" as an abnormal mental health condition.{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/10/health/compulsive-sexual-behavior-mental-health-condition/index.html|title=WHO classifies compulsive sexual behavior as mental health condition|first=Jen |last=Christensen|work=CNN|access-date=2018-11-26}}{{Cite web|url=https://icd.who.int/browse11/l-m/en#/http://id.who.int/icd/entity/1630268048|title=ICD-11 - Mortality and Morbidity Statistics|website=icd.who.int|language=en|access-date=2018-11-26}}

Individuals with hypersexuality are at a higher risk for various negative consequences, such as contracting STIs, committing sexual abuse, damaging relationships, and developing other addictions. 27.5% of affected individuals contracted an STI on at least one occasion as a result of their hypersexual behavior, and 12% of affected individuals engage in excessive, unprotected sex with multiple anonymous partners.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-08 |title=Sexual Addictions Statistics [2023]: Impacts & Treatments |url=https://sexualalpha.com/sexual-addictions-statistics/ |access-date=2023-11-30 |language=en-US |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129113624/https://sexualalpha.com/sexual-addictions-statistics/ |archivedate=29 November 2022}}{{Cite journal |last1=Koós |first1=Mónika |last2=Bőthe |first2=Beáta |last3=Orosz |first3=Gábor |last4=Potenza |first4=Marc N. |last5=Reid |first5=Rory C. |last6=Demetrovics |first6=Zsolt |date=2020-12-03 |title=The negative consequences of hypersexuality: Revisiting the factor structure of the Hypersexual Behavior Consequences Scale and its correlates in a large, non-clinical sample |journal=Addictive Behaviors Reports |volume=13 |pages=100321 |doi=10.1016/j.abrep.2020.100321 |issn=2352-8532 |pmc=7750154 |pmid=33364331}} Additionally, an overwhelming 89% affected individuals admit to engaging in sexual activities outside of their primary relationship. This can negatively affect one's interpersonal and sexual relationships. In fact, 22.8% of sex addicts have had a relationship end due to their behaviors.

Furthermore, those with hypersexuality are more likely to have had or acquire another addiction. Multiple addictions are also prevalent amongst affected individuals. Common co-occurring disorders and addictions hypersexual individuals include eating disorders, compulsive spending, chemical dependency, and uncontrollable gambling.

Those seeking treatment for hypersexual behavior are a heterogeneous group, thus a thorough assessment is required to evaluate what kinds of behaviors and conditions need to be addressed and treated. It is essential for clinicians to conduct a comprehensive clinical interview with the patient, in which they address the history of their presenting problems, psychological history, sexual history, psychiatric history, mental health history, substance use history, and medical history.{{Cite journal |last1=Kaplan |first1=Meg S. |last2=Krueger |first2=Richard B. |date=2010-03-24 |title=Diagnosis, Assessment, and Treatment of Hypersexuality |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00224491003592863 |journal=Journal of Sex Research |language=en |volume=47 |issue=2–3 |pages=181–198 |doi=10.1080/00224491003592863 |pmid=20358460 |s2cid=37602962 |issn=0022-4499}} Understanding these facets of an individual exhibiting hypersexual behavior is crucial due to the diverse array of comorbid conditions potentially linked to hypersexuality. The presence of ongoing treatment for any coexisting conditions in the individual can also have an impact on their symptoms and subsequent therapeutic interventions. Supplemental information from a spouse or family member could also be used during assessments.{{Cite journal |last1=Elrafei |first1=Heba |last2=Jamali |first2=Qutub |date=30 November 2021 |title=Assessment and treatment of hypersexuality: a review |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-advances/article/assessment-and-treatment-of-hypersexuality-a-review/DF56B43D27365C746D21BAC21D476928 |journal=BJPsych Advances |language=en |volume=28 |issue=3 |pages=198–205 |doi=10.1192/bja.2021.68 |issn=2056-4678}}

In addition to this, various questionnaires and instruments may be used to further assess various aspects of an individual's behaviors and symptoms. Some common questionnaires that are used in assessments are the Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scale,{{Cite journal |last1=Janssen |first1=Erick |last2=Vorst |first2=Harrie |last3=Finn |first3=Peter |last4=Bancroft |first4=John |date=2002-05-01 |title=The sexual inhibition (SIS) and sexual excitation (SES) scales: II. Predicting psychophysiological response patterns |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00224490209552131 |journal=The Journal of Sex Research |volume=39 |issue=2 |pages=127–132 |doi=10.1080/00224490209552131 |pmid=12476244 |s2cid=30279794 |issn=0022-4499}} Intensity of Sexual Desire and Symptoms Scale,{{Cite journal |last1=Rösler |first1=Ariel |last2=Witztum |first2=Eliezer |date=1998-02-12 |title=Treatment of Men with Paraphilia with a Long-Acting Analogue of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone |journal=New England Journal of Medicine |volume=338 |issue=7 |pages=416–422 |doi=10.1056/nejm199802123380702 |pmid=9459644 |issn=0028-4793|doi-access=free }} Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory,{{Cite journal |last=Coleman, Michael Miner, Fred Ohlerk |first=Eli |date=July 2001 |title=Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory: A Preliminary Study of Reliability and Validity |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/009262301317081070 |journal=Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy |volume=27 |issue=4 |pages=325–332 |doi=10.1080/009262301317081070 |pmid=11441516 |s2cid=216091399 |issn=0092-623X}}{{Cite journal |last=Marchetti |first=Igor |date=2023 |title=The Structure of Compulsive Sexual Behavior: A Network Analysis Study |journal=Archives of Sexual Behavior |volume=52 |issue=3 |pages=1271–1284 |doi=10.1007/s10508-023-02549-y |issn=0004-0002 |pmid=36735169|pmc=10102046 }} Sexual Compulsivity Scale,{{Cite journal |last1=Kalichman |first1=Seth C. |last2=Rompa |first2=David |date=June 2001 |title=The Sexual Compulsivity Scale: Further Development and Use With HIV-Positive Persons |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa7603_02 |journal=Journal of Personality Assessment |volume=76 |issue=3 |pages=379–395 |doi=10.1207/s15327752jpa7603_02 |pmid=11499453 |s2cid=23701672 |issn=0022-3891}} and the Sexual Addiction Screening Test{{Cite journal |last1=Carnes |first1=Patrick |last2=Green |first2=Bradley |last3=Carnes |first3=Stefanie |date=2021 |title=Sexual Addiction Screening Test--Revised Version |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/t75674-000 |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=PsycTESTS Dataset|doi=10.1037/t75674-000 }} amongst others. Different instruments can also be used in assessments, including but not limited to the Clinical Global Impression Scale,{{Cite journal |last=Fletcher |first=Kenneth E. |date=November 2008 |title=Handbook of Psychiatric Measures, 2nd Editionedited by A. John Rush, Jr., M.D., Michael B. First, M.D., and Deborah Blacker, M.D., Sc.D.; Washington, D.C., American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc., 2008, 828 pages, $195, CD-ROM included |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/ps.2008.59.11.1351 |journal=Psychiatric Services |volume=59 |issue=11 |pages=1351 |doi=10.1176/ps.2008.59.11.1351 |issn=1075-2730}} Timeline Followback,{{Cite journal |last1=Trevin |first1=A. |last2=Carter Sobell |first2=L. |last3=Sobell |first3=M. |date=November 2012 |title=PRM124 Translation of the Alcohol Timeline Followback (TLFB) in 4 Languages |journal=Value in Health |volume=15 |issue=7 |pages=A483 |doi=10.1016/j.jval.2012.08.1587 |issn=1098-3015|doi-access=free }} Minnesota Multiphase Personality Inventory II,{{Cite journal |last1=Butcher |first1=James N. |last2=Dahlstrom |first2=W. Grant |last3=Graham |first3=John R. |last4=Tellegen |first4=Auke |last5=Kaemmer |first5=Beverly |date=2001 |title=Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/t15120-000 |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=PsycTESTS Dataset|doi=10.1037/t15120-000 }} and the Millon Inventory.{{Citation |title=The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory–III (MCMI–III) |date=2008 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781412959537.n196 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Psychology and Law |access-date=2023-11-27 |place=2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks California 91320 United States |publisher=SAGE Publications, Inc.|doi=10.4135/9781412959537.n196 |isbn=9781412951890 }}

The first step to treat hypersexual behavior is to help the individual stop or control their urges. There are a multitude of different treatment options for those experiencing hypersexual behaviors, and many clinicians recommend a multifaceted approach. Treatment plans are created after assessing the individual, so treatment methods can vary depending on an individual's history, current symptoms, and any comorbid conditions they may have. Common treatment methods include cognitive-behavioral therapy, relapse-prevention therapy, psychodynamic psychosocial therapy, and psychopharmacological treatment, which can be implemented through individual therapy, couple's therapy, and/or group therapy.{{Cite journal |last1=Kaplan |first1=Meg S. |last2=Krueger |first2=Richard B. |date=2010-03-24 |title=Diagnosis, Assessment, and Treatment of Hypersexuality |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00224491003592863 |journal=Journal of Sex Research |language=en |volume=47 |issue=2–3 |pages=181–198 |doi=10.1080/00224491003592863 |pmid=20358460 |s2cid=37602962 |issn=0022-4499}}

The concept of hypersexuality as an addiction was started in the 1970s by former members of Alcoholics Anonymous who felt they experienced a similar lack of control and compulsivity with sexual behaviors as with alcohol.{{cite journal

| last1 = Goleman

| first1 = Daniel

| date = October 16, 1984

| title = Some Sexual Behavior Viewed as an Addiction

| journal = New York Times

| pages = Cl, C9

| access-date = 2012-10-15

| url = https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/16/science/some-sexual-behavior-viewed-as-an-addiction.html

}} Multiple 12-step style self-help groups now exist for people who identify as sex addicts, including Sex Addicts Anonymous, Sexaholics Anonymous, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, and Sexual Compulsives Anonymous. Some hypersexual men may treat their condition with the usage of medication (such as cyproterone acetate) or consuming foods considered to be anaphrodisiacs.{{Cite journal |doi=10.1353/pgn.2015.0119|title=Aphrodisiacs, Fertility and Medicine in Early Modern England by Jennifer Evans |year=2015 |last1=Bitomsky |first1=Jane |journal=Parergon |volume=32 |issue=2 |pages=293–294 |s2cid=147637623 }} Other hypersexuals may choose a route of consultation, such as psychotherapy, self-help groups or counselling.{{Cite journal |url=http://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/26641/1/PubSub3129_Griffiths.pdf |doi=10.1007/s11469-014-9485-2|title=Treatment of Sexual Addiction within the British National Health Service |year=2014 |last1=Griffiths |first1=Mark D. |last2=Dhuffar |first2=Manpreet K. |journal=International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction |volume=12 |issue=5 |pages=561–571 |s2cid=20280073 }}

Sexologists have been using the term hypersexuality since the late 1800s, when Krafft-Ebing described several cases of extreme sexual behaviours in his seminal 1886 book, Psychopathia Sexualis.{{Cite book |last=von Krafft-Ebing |first=R. |title=Psychopathia sexualis: A medico–forensic study |publisher=Putnam |orig-year=1886 |year=1965 |edition=H. E. Wedeck, Trans. |location=New York}}{{Cite journal |last=Kafka |first=M. P. |title=Hypersexual Disorder: A Proposed Diagnosis for DSM-V |journal=Archives of Sexual Behavior |year=2010 |volume=39 |issue=2 |pages=377–400 |author-link=Martin Kafka |url=http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/Sex%20and%20GID%20Lit%20Reviews/Paraphilias/KAFKAHD.pdf |url-status=dead |doi=10.1007/s10508-009-9574-7 |pmid=19937105 |s2cid=2190694 |access-date=2013-01-02 |archive-date=2012-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914110342/http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/Sex%20and%20GID%20Lit%20Reviews/Paraphilias/KAFKAHD.pdf }} The author used the term "hypersexuality" to describe conditions that would now be termed premature ejaculation. Terms to describe males with the condition include donjuanist,{{cite book|last1=Sifuentes-Jáuregui|first1=B|title=Transvestism, Masculinity, and Latin American Literature: Genders Share Flesh|date=2002|page=207|publisher=Springer|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oBt-DAAAQBAJ|isbn=9780230107281}} satyromaniac,{{cite book|last1=Scruton|first1=Roger|title=Sexual Desire: A Philosophical Investigation|date=2015|page=168|publisher=Bloomsbury |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4ckfCgAAQBAJ|isbn=9781472927842}} satyriac{{Cite journal |last=Eghigian |first=Greg |date=August 2012 |title=Hypersexual disorder: an encounter with Don Juan in the archives |url=http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA301776602&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=08932905&p=AONE&sw=w |journal=Psychiatric Times |volume=29 |issue=8 |page=18}} and satyriasist,{{cite book|last1=Spooner|first1=Henry|title=American Journal of Urology and Sexology|date=1918|page=565}} for women clitoromaniac,Plummer, Ken. "A sociological perspective." Sexualities: Difference and the diversity of sexualities 3 (2002): 43. nympho and nymphomaniac,{{cite book|editor=Craigshead, W. Edward|editor2=Nemeroff, Charles|editor-link2=Charles Nemeroff|title=The Concise Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology and Behavioral Science|edition=3rd|publisher=Wiley|date=2004|page=630}} for teleiophilic (attracted to adults) heterosexual women andromaniac,{{Cite journal |last=Trout |first=Steven |year=1997 |title=Decadence & Modernism |journal=English Literature in Transition |volume=40 |issue=2 |pages=210–214}} while hypersexualist, sexaholic,{{Cite journal |last=Gozzi | first=Raymond Jr. |date=Spring 1995 |title=Confessions of a metaphoraholic |journal=ETC: A Review of General Semantics |url=https://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=googlescholar&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA16744693&sid=classroomWidget&asid=b132564d |volume=52 |issue=1 |pages=51–55 }} onanist, hyperphiliac and erotomaniac{{Cite journal|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J056v04n02_04|doi = 10.1300/J056v04n02_04|title = Compulsive Sexual Behavior|year = 1991|last1 = Coleman|first1 = Eli|journal = Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality|volume = 4|issue = 2|pages = 37–52}} are gender neutral terms.{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/jen-gerson-feel-free-to-opt-for-the-epidural-sans-guilt-new-moms|title=Jen Gerson: Feel free to opt for the epidural sans guilt, new moms|date=8 April 2016}}

Other, mostly historical, names are the Messalina complex,{{Cite journal|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1360-0443.1978.tb00157.x|doi = 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1978.tb00157.x|title = Hypersexuality: Implications for a Theory of Dependence|year = 1978|last1 = Orford|first1 = Jim|journal = Addiction|volume = 73|issue = 3|pages = 299–310|pmid = 280354}} sexaholism,{{Cite journal|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10720160500529292|doi = 10.1080/10720160500529292|title = Sexaholism: A Perspective|year = 2006|last1 = Longo-Disse|first1 = Samadhi Carol|journal = Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity|volume = 13|pages = 69–94|s2cid = 145338301}} hyperlibido{{Cite journal |doi=10.3928/0048-5713-19920601-09|title=Is Your Patient Suffering from Compulsive Sexual Behavior? |year=1992 |last1=Coleman |first1=Eli |journal=Psychiatric Annals |volume=22 |issue=6 |pages=320–325 }} and furor uterinus.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdfplus/10.1086/494887|doi = 10.1086/494887|title = Nymphomania: The Historical Construction of Female Sexuality|year = 1994|last1 = Groneman|first1 = Carol|journal = Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society|volume = 19|issue = 2|pages = 337–367|s2cid = 143081405}} John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester described hypersexuality in some of his literature.{{cite book | last1=Davies | first1=M. | last2=Owens | first2=W.R. | title=The Oxford Handbook of John Bunyan | publisher=OUP Oxford | series=Oxford Handbooks | year=2018 | isbn=978-0-19-164944-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZA5jDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA125 | access-date=2023-06-18 | page=125}}

{{Portal|Psychology|Human sexuality}}

• Erotophilia
• Persistent genital arousal disorder
• Pornography addiction
• Sexual Compulsivity Scale

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