Nymphomania and Hypersexuality in Women and Men

Nymphomania has been defined as an increased sexual drive . It has been thought of as a serious medical condition particularly affecting women. This has been morphed into the term hypersexuality.

What is hypersexuality?

Nymphomania is basically a mental disorder which is marked by compulsive sexual behavior. Nymphomaniacs act out their compulsions by engaging is risky sexual behavior.

Nymphomania is not considered to be a real mental disorder but compulsive sexual behavior is a serious illness.

The term nymphomaniac has been referred to women but it has been expanded to include anyone who engages in compulsive sexual behavior. 

What is female hypersexuality?

Nymphomania was unknown and this was because men and women’s bodies were not thought of being very different, which is why it didn’t seem strange when women were equally lusty as men. In olden times it has also been claimed that women are able to experience pleasure nine times greater than a man.Nymphomania fell out of favor as female sexual desire was a normal part of human sexuality. 

Origin of Nymphomania

Originating from Latin, nymphomaniac means ‘nymph madness’ which was easily understood by everyone that strong sexual desire in a woman for her husband or more worryingly for a man whom she was not married to which was then seen to be a disease.

Are there different types of hypersexuality?

While nymphomania has been considered to be a gendered disorder but men were not immune. It has always been believed that men have a higher sexual desire and drive than women.

While men are still expected to have a strong sex drive, it was believed that excessive sexual behavior would diminish a man mentally and morally.

Masculinity became synonymous with self-control, and a man who was unable to do so was considered effeminate, weak and lazy. In serious cases satyriasis could lead to rape. 

We don’t talk about nymphomania instead we talk about sex addiction or hypersexuality.

How does someone become hypersexual?

The primary symptom of nymphomania is compulsive sexual behavior including promiscuity. It may occur with other symptoms of mental illness or personality disorders.You may experience nymphomania symptoms daily or just once in a while. At times any of these nymphomania symptoms can be severe.

 Some common symptoms of nymphomania include:

1. Difficulty in Concentrating

2. Shame or Inadequacy

3. Guilt

4. Repeated compulsion

5. Repeated obsession

Can symptoms be life-threatening?

Ordinarily these symptoms shouldn’t really be life threatening, but if your nymphomania or compulsive desire is not controlled then some symptoms can increase and become life threatening. Some of these symptoms include:

1. Danger: Being a danger to yourself or others, including threatening and irrational or suicidal behavior.

2. Dependent: Some people can be so obsessed with their desire they become unable to care for themselves and become dependent on others. 

What is hypersexuality caused by?

There is no exact cause of nymphomania that is known to us. It is believed that nymphomania is a type of compulsive disorder marked by mental and emotional imbalance. Life events can trigger people who are predisposed to engage in compulsive sexual behavior.

Risk factors for hypersexuality

There are multiple factors that can increase the risk of developing nymphomania. It’s not important that all the people who have these risk factors are nymphomaniacs but these are very basic factors and they include;

1. Under the age of 30

2. History of mental illness in the family

3. A personal history of mental illness

4. Traumatic Life event

5. Continuous stress

How can hypersexuality be treated?

There is actually no cure for nymphomania, like many other mental illnesses and it may be treated with medication or therapy or the combination of two. With treatments you can manage the compulsive behavior but not cure it completely. 

Similar to other compulsive disorders, treatment for nymphomania includes:

1. Behavioral therapy that helps you cope with triggers

2. Family or social therapy

3. Anti-anxiety, antidepressant and antipsychotic medications

How can I improve my hypersexuality?

Adding to the treatment, you can develop a plan and you may be able to self-manage your symptoms.

1. A balanced and healthy diet

2. Engaging social activities and others that you find enjoyable

3. Regular exercise

4. Healthy sleeping habits

5. Support groups

6. Seeking help from family and friend