Learn how to overcome hypersexuality and cope with the compulsions. Because otherwise, your love for making love might end up destroying your love life.
What Is Hypersexuality?
According to scientists, hypersexual behavior is more common in men than in women. About 30% of guys say they struggle to control sexual thoughts or urges. And nearly 25% of gals say the same thing. So, what is hypersexuality and how does it affect a person?
Also known as nymphomania, hypersexual behavior is characterized by an obsession with sexual pleasure, experiences, and images. Most experts consider hypersexuality a mental health condition. And that’s because it can cause severe mental, emotional, and physical distress.
Nymphomania can negatively impact a person’s relationships and work performance as well. Because of the uncontrollable urges, intrusive thoughts, and compulsions, people with hypersexual behavior disorder may also struggle to practice healthy lifestyle habits. So, it’s important to know the signs and find ways to overcome before sex takes over your life.
Signs of a Hypersexuality Problem
Just because you like having sex or enjoy sexual daydreams doesn’t mean you’re a nymphomaniac. It simply means your libido is functioning correctly at the moment. But what about people who become easily distracted by horniness? How are they different?
Compulsive sexual behavior begins in the mind. That means you can control impulses with mindfulness techniques or therapies. However, you can’t even begin treatment if you don’t know the signs. So, here’s what hypersexuality looks like for most people:
- Recurring sexual fantasies
- Intense erotic urges, often unprovoked
- Preoccupation with carnal gratification
- Guilt or remorse after giving/receiving pleasure
- Frequent sexual escapism (loneliness, depression, stress, etc.)
- Hiding or lying about erotic impulses, fantasies, or activities
- Inability to stop or slow down
Did you know that recognizing a hypersexuality problem is only the first step? You must also watch for things like financial strain, legal problems, and sexual transmitted infections (STIs). It’s simply not safe to be uncouth about your sexuality.
Engaging in dangerous or risky erotic behavior may be fun in the moment. But it usually has disastrous consequences when you don’t learn how to cope. So, understand your triggers, and seek professional help or find ways to control your libido without intervention.
What Triggers Sexual Compulsions?
Many things can trigger hypersexuality, even acutely. Yet, science still doesn’t know the exact cause of compulsive sexual behavior. Most speculate that it has something to do with how a person experiences sex during their formative years. So, childhood trauma is a common correlation.
Other triggers of hypersexuality may include things like generalized anxiety, jealousy, stress, or mental illness. Plus, underlying mental illnesses can be diagnosed or undiagnosed and still impact a person’s perceptions of healthy sex. That means sex abuse, neglect, and sheer curiosity might also play a role.
Can Hypersexuality Go Away?
So, how do you treat hypersexuality if it generally begins in childhood or adolescence? And what happens when it’s a symptom of mental illness? Can nymphomania ever go away?
The answer is yes, but not easily. In most cases, people require consistent accountability to overcome compulsive sexual impulses. Plus, underlying mental health conditions are best treated by a professional.
Hypersexuality can cause irritability, mood swings, and ultimately isolation. After all, nobody wants to hang out with a person who thinks solely about sex. And that kind of rejection can make it harder to get laid. So, cut it out.
5 Ways to Cope with Hypersexual Behavior
It sucks when your favorite pastime can do more harm than good. Just think about how everyone who smokes cigarettes feels every day. They realize that their habits are unhealthy. So, they figure out how to enjoy in moderation or not at all.
The same goes for people struggling with uncontrollable sex addiction. It’s okay to love having sex or masturbating. But it’s not okay to let orgasms rule the roost. And if you feel like a nympho often, chances are you need to do something about it.
Tired of your horniness getting the best of you? Here are five ways to cope when you’re ready:
#1. See a Mental Health Expert.
Because therapists can help determine the source of your problem, it’s probably best to begin there. You can openly speak about your compulsions and triggers in a confidential environment. And in some cases, you may even get to discuss issues with a group of like-minded adults. Either way, therapists can prescribe medications and tailor treatments for your benefit.
NOTE: Typical clinical treatments for nymphomania include psychotherapy, self-help exercises, pharmaceuticals, and mindful abstinence.
#2. Work on Finding Distractions.
You don’t have to pay all that attention to those sexual impulses. If you don’t want to play slave to your sexuality, distract yourself. When an impulse or urge compels you to act, try to ignore it or start doing something else. Just make sure the distraction is productive and healthy. Otherwise, you’ll just be trading one bad habit for another.
NOTE: Acceptable distractions might include exercising, picking up new hobbies, or working on creative projects around the house.
#3. Consider the Consequences.
Following your erotic muse may feel good in the moment but there’s almost always a catch. So, start letting the possible consequences bother you enough to stop. If your behaviors hurt others, they’re probably not good for your future. And if hiding the truth causes more problems, then it’s time for you to get some help. Think of the consequences of your actions and then move accordingly.
NOTE: Discuss boundaries with friends, family, coworkers, and partners to determine what is and isn’t acceptable behavior.
#4. Use Sex Toys to Satisfy Cravings.
Sometimes, sex urges are too strong for distractions and considerations. And that’s why personal pleasure products were invented. They help you satisfy compulsions without causing issues at work or in your relationships. Plus, you can even use them with a partner regardless of their proximity to you. So, there’s really no excuse to put yourself or your loved ones in danger to bust a nut.
NOTE: You can use hands-free, VR sex toys to experience immersive pleasure with or without a willing partner.
#5. Set Up a System.
Nobody said you have to stop reaching orgasm every time it feels right. But maybe you should consider developing a system of rewards and punishments instead. Train your brain to expect sexual gratification only after you achieve certain goals. For example, only allow yourself to masturbate if you finish work or control impulses at a specific time.
NOTE: For the best results, try to align your periods of self-control with expected social norms and relationship boundaries.
Controlling your sexual impulses is no doubt a challenge, especially if you have a diagnosed mental illness. And if you’ve experienced trauma, coping is even worse. But you don’t have to be a victim to end up a slave to your libido. Sex addiction and hypersexual behavior are more common in our society than most people think.
Learning how to cope with hypersexual behavior is crucial. Because uncontrollable sex urges can destroy relationships and erase opportunities, it’s best to develop productive mechanisms ASAP. Otherwise, your genitals could take control of you instead of you taking control of your genitals. And ain’t nobody got time for that.
