Diseases
hypersexuality
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Overview
Compulsive sexual behavior is sometimes called hypersexuality, hypersexuality disorder or sexual addiction. It's an excessive preoccupation with sexual fantasies, urges or behaviors that is difficult to control, causes you distress, or negatively affects your health, job, relationships or other parts of your life.
Symptoms
- you have recurrent and intense sexual fantasies, urges and behaviors
- you feel driven to do certain sexual behaviors
- you've tried unsuccessfully to reduce or control your sexual fantasies
- you use compulsive sexual behavior as an escape from other problems
- you have trouble establishing and maintaining healthy and stable relationships.
Causes
- an imbalance of natural brain chemicals.
- changes in brain pathways.
- conditions that affect the brain.
Risk factors
- ease of access to sexual content.
- privacy.
- alcohol or drug abuse problems
Diagnosis
- medical history
- physical and mental health, as well as your overall emotional well-being
- diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
Medicines used
Frequently asked questions
What is hypersexuality?
Compulsive sexual behavior is sometimes called hypersexuality, hypersexuality disorder or sexual addiction. It's an excessive preoccupation with sexual fantasies, urges or behaviors that is difficult to control, causes you distress, or negatively affects your health, job, relationships or other parts of your life.
What are the symptoms of hypersexuality?
you have recurrent and intense sexual fantasies, urges and behaviors, you feel driven to do certain sexual behaviors, you've tried unsuccessfully to reduce or control your sexual fantasies, you use compulsive sexual behavior as an escape from other problems, you have trouble establishing and maintaining healthy and stable relationships.
What causes hypersexuality?
an imbalance of natural brain chemicals.; changes in brain pathways.; conditions that affect the brain.
Which medicines are used for hypersexuality?
cyproterone acetate
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