I want sex: physiology and psychology of desire

You can often hear expressions like “Lustful animal” or “Horny” from women. They are addressed to men who demonstrate increased sexual activity. They are considered morally degenerate people. However, not everyone knows that behind this is a disorder called hypersexuality. It is this that forces a person to seek more and more new attempts to satisfy sexual desire. Hypersexuality in men can also be a symptom of other health disorders of certain organs. Today we will look at this topic in detail.

general information

The term “hypersexuality” means not just an increase in sexual desire, but a pathological increase in libido, when a man has a continuous, uncontrollable desire to perform sexual intercourse. And yet - at the same time, a person feels... sexual dissatisfaction. That is, he wants more and more.

Hypersexuality is also called “satiriasis.” It comes from the word “satyr” - this is how forest deities were called in the mythology of Ancient Greece. They were companions of the god Bacchus. Satyrs were depicted as half-humans, half-goats. These mythical creatures were distinguished by the fact that they were lazy, participated in orgies and had an increased sex drive.

This is where another expression often used by women comes from: “Men are assholes.”

Despite the seemingly comical nature of the situation, hypersexuality is a serious disorder that requires treatment. It can be compared with those psychological deviations that are inherent in drug addicts or people suffering from excess body weight. Constantly thinking about sex prevents a person from concentrating on work, negatively affects health and harms relationships.

Regardless of the reason for the development of hypersexuality, it must be treated, since this disorder damages not only a person’s self-esteem, but can even ruin his career.

Often, to increase sexual desire, men use a variety of medications, such as Levitra analogues. These medications help to quickly strengthen your erection. Thanks to Levitra, both partners will enjoy sex.

What is hypersexuality in simple words

Hypersexuality (nymphomania) is an excessively increased sexual desire.

The concept of “nymphomania” arose on the basis of ancient Greek myths. According to them, nymphs living in the forest lured men into the thicket and satisfied their lust. The Greeks were confident that these forest deities taught people various sexual positions and other love tricks.

Symptoms of hypersexuality

The following signs indicate that a man has too high a level of sexual desire:

• persistent sexual fantasies and behavior that are time-consuming and uncontrollable (or poorly controlled) by the person;
• a man has successful sexual intercourse, but after it he again feels the need for sex;
• inability to reduce or even control your sexual fantasies;
• using increased sexual activity as a way to escape other problems such as stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness;
• the man continues to live an overly active sex life, which has serious consequences. This is the possibility of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, breaking up a relationship with a regular partner, problems at work, financial difficulties, problems with the law;
• a man enters into sexual relations with the first partner he comes across in order to satisfy sexual desire;
• a man cannot maintain a stable and healthy relationship with a regular partner.

In addition, hypersexuality in men as a symptom may be present in the following pathologies:

• skull and brain injuries;
• bipolar disorder;
• affective insanity;
• schizophrenia;
• oligophrenia;
• hyperactivity disorder resulting from attention deficit;
• dementia that appeared as a result of Alzheimer's disease and other lesions of the central nervous system;
• tumors of the central nervous system;
• consequences of brain surgery;
• taking psychoactive and narcotic drugs.

Hypersexuality is a symptom of several mental and neurological disorders. For example, people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder may be impulsive and exhibit increased sexuality. Sometimes even extreme forms of sexual activity are possible.

With bipolar disorder, depending on a man’s mood, sexual desire experiences very large fluctuations.

Thus, hypersexuality in men cannot be considered a simple desire of a person to have sex. Sometimes this disorder indicates that there are serious health problems.

Diagnostics

A person can independently diagnose hyperphilia, but it is better to consult a doctor. Only a sexologist can establish an accurate diagnosis, but it is permissible to initially consult a psychologist or psychotherapist, since most often hypersexuality is caused by reasons of a psychological nature. In the last century, sex addiction was equated to drug addiction. In many countries there are even self-help groups similar to Alcoholics Anonymous.

Organic erotomania, resulting from any disease, does not require additional diagnosis.

When identifying a disease, you need to pay attention to the type of constitution of a person. People with increased sexual constitution (for example, with abundant body hair for men or wide hips for women) are characterized by a strong sexual desire and the need for daily sexual acts. Moreover, this is not a pathology, but a physiological norm.

MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging allows you to diagnose the causes of erotomania. MRI of the brain determines the presence of brain diseases (old injuries, hematomas or tumors) that have caused manic behavior. A timely MRI or CT scan (computed tomography) will not only diagnose the cause of hyperphilia, but will also save a person from developing serious organic complications.

Hypersexuality in men - reasons

Despite the most modern research methods, experts still cannot determine the exact causes of this disorder. A high level of sexual desire can appear under the influence of the following factors:

• imbalance of chemicals in the brain - high concentrations of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine;
• diseases and health problems – dementia, epilepsy;
• treatment of Parkinson's disease with dopamine agonists;
• changes in the nerve cells of the brain;
• injuries to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain;
• mood disorders;
• sexual trauma.

Signs and symptoms

The main sign of nymphomania is considered to be excessive excitability. The patient only needs one glance at a representative of the opposite sex, and desire immediately begins to boil in his blood.

Although initially nymphomaniacs try to satisfy their hunger with a regular partner, the latter often get tired of such pressure. Hypersexual women and men try to relieve the “itch” with strangers, sometimes even strangers, and sometimes even with representatives of the same sex.

Symptoms of hypersexuality in women include:

1. Promiscuity. Such women are distinguished by the absence of disgust, i.e. they are not particularly interested in the age, marital status, or even the appearance of a potential partner. The main thing is sexual contact.
2. Bed selfishness. A woman does everything for her own pleasure; the desires and needs of her partner remain behind the scenes.
3. Narcissism. The appearance of a nymphomaniac woman is usually always bright and provocative; she is often distinguished by provocative makeup, which provokes a man’s interest and further intimacy.

Hypersexuality in men is also accompanied by a number of recognizable symptoms:

1. Frequent change of sexual partners.
2. Even with multiple contacts in a short time, the man remains dissatisfied.
3. Men susceptible to the disease are often free from relationships; short relationships are built exclusively on a sexual basis.

Attention! Nymphomania, like satyriasis, must be identified and treated in time. Otherwise, people endowed with hypersexuality can create a threat to society.

People suffering from such a pathology cannot control their desires, which are stronger than shame and common sense. Only medical intervention can help them.

Methods for treating hypersexuality in men

Treatment consists of psychotherapy, medication, and participation in self-help groups. The main goal of treatment is to help a man cope with his sexual desire and learn to control it while maintaining healthy sexual activity.

Psychotherapy

It is divided into the following types:

• cognitive-behavioural;
• psychodynamic therapy;
• acceptance and commitment therapy.

These psychotherapy methods can be used both individually and in couples, depending on the therapist’s decision.

Use of medications

• Antidepressants;
• Naltrexone;
• mood stabilizers;
• anti-androgens.

These drugs affect chemicals in the brain that create sexual desire. You should only take any of these medications after consulting your doctor.

Self help groups

With their help you can:

• learn about the nature of the disorder;
• get support from a specialist;
• identify additional treatments for hypersexuality.

Classes in such groups are led by a psychotherapist.

Causes of hypersexuality

There are several types of hypersexuality due to the following factors:

• Pubertal hypersexuality occurs in adolescents during puberty.
• Paradoxical hypersexuality occurs at the initial stage of menopause in women.
• Hypersexuality can manifest itself against the background of destructive and irritative neurological foci of diencephalic localization.
• Against the background of certain mental illnesses.
• As one of the symptoms of endocrine disorders.
• Quite often, hypersexuality can arise due to dissonance of the mental and biological components of libido. A distinctive feature of such increased libido is that sexual arousal is not accompanied by a biological reaction in the genital area. Orgasm, as a rule, is also not achieved.

Types of sexual constitution

Few people know that there are several types of sexual constitution. This point cannot be ignored, because it determines how satisfied a person feels. In other words, this is sexual temperament, which determines the physical compatibility of partners with each other, the ability to give pleasure and experience pleasure. Experts distinguish three main types:

1. Low. A person enters into intimate intimacy no more than once or twice a month. At the same time, you can imagine what it is like for a partner who experiences a frequent need for sex. Conflict is inevitable, even if the parties often make concessions to each other.
2. Average. This is a variant of the average statistical norm. Sex occurs approximately once or twice a week. If both partners are happy with this, then no one has to suffer.
3. High. There is a pronounced sexual desire, which can occur several times a day. It is difficult for such a person to live with a partner who is very “cool” about sex and does not want to improve anything. Temperament in intimate life greatly affects other areas in a relationship. If there is no mutual understanding in bed, it becomes difficult to agree on anything else.

Reducing hypersexuality

You can try to reduce hypersexuality on your own. But it is better to visit a doctor immediately.

Visit to a specialist

The treatment process depends on the reasons that affected libido. If the source of the problem is a disease, this disease will have to be treated. Without eradicating the root cause, recovery will not be possible. To eliminate congenital hypersexuality, you should resort to medicinal methods. The doctor may prescribe medications that suppress libido and restore hormonal balance.

Adding variety

It is worth diversifying not only the intimate sphere, but also life in general. Necessary:

• devote more time to work and hobbies;
• visit the gym more often;
• reduce the consumption of foods that increase libido (nuts, cheese, seafood, chocolate);
• drink soothing healing infusions.

Causes of pathological hypersexuality

The causes of pathological hypersexuality can be very diverse, but all of them can be divided into two large groups: organic (tumors, traumatic disorders, hormonal dysfunctions) and mental. Moreover, pathological hypersexuality can be a symptom of a disease, or it can be its consequence. But in any case, with pathological hypersuality, it is secondary to the underlying disease. When pathological hypersexuality manifests itself, the underlying disease that led to the appearance of hypersexuality should be treated.

Nymphomania is often called any manifestation of female hypersexuality, and satyriasis is called male hypersexuality. But it's not right. The International Classification of Diseases defines nymphomania and satyriasis as increased sexual desire, the manifestation of which is not caused by pathological processes in the body. If the occurrence of hypersexuality is caused by a disease and hypersexuality is a manifestation of this disease, then this is already pathological hypersexuality. According to the modern classification of diseases, pathological hypersexuality does not have an independent status. Pathological hypersexuality is a symptom or consequence of a specific disease.

It is also possible that hypersexuality may occur under the influence of alcohol or drugs due to stimulation of subcortical structures and weakening of self-control. Hypersexuality can occur as a side effect when taking certain medications, such as testosterone drugs.

It should be understood that any one of the reasons can independently lead to the appearance of hypersexuality. And perhaps there will be two or more such reasons in combination. To simplify the understanding of the processes that cause hypersexuality, this article discusses the causes of hypersexuality separately.

Hypersexuality

The cause of hypersexuality is often psychological problems. Uncertainty about one's sexual attractiveness, even if this is far from true, can make a woman strive to constantly confirm her sexual worth. Such a woman is always looking for new sexual partners. This also happens when sexual desire is normal or low and orgasm is difficult to achieve. And even when a woman does not feel the need for sexual contact. This sexual behavior is called false hypersexuality. Sometimes the term imaginary hypersexuality is used to define such behavior. The desire to compensate for the feeling of inadequacy or lack of self-confidence explains the constant desire of some men to have more and more new sexual partners (usually women). Each new possession in such cases elevates a man, first of all, in his own eyes. In some cases, such a man perceives his sexual contact with another “victim” as a symbolic victory over a male competitor. This sexual behavior is called “Don Juan syndrome.” Sometimes hypersexual behavior in both men and women can cause repressed sexual desire for the true object of love. An attempt to find a replacement for him leads to a whole string of surrogate sexual partners that do not bring satisfaction. It happens that a surge in sexual desire is caused by the unexpected loss of a sexual partner.

Reasons for strong desire

Human sexuality is influenced by stress, social standards, age-related crises, hormonal changes, and psychological problems. If a person dreams of intimacy all the time, perhaps this is one of the symptoms of another disease.

Psychological factors

If an individual does not have enough pleasure, he begins to look for easy ways to get it (food, intimacy, alcohol, entertainment). Financial instability, lack of hobbies, friends, and social contacts force the individual to find solace in sexual intimacy. Such short-term pleasure helps to forget about difficulties for a while. And when pleasure subsides, a person strives to get it again. This is how addiction and obsession arise. A person chooses this method instead of real struggle.

The endorphin released during the act affects the brain in the same way as drugs. It is worth analyzing the sources of the problem and starting to solve it. It is important to understand that dependence on intimate pleasures is a protective reaction of the brain. Sometimes a person manages to forget about the problem that led to the cycle many years ago. A psychologist will help you determine this starting point.

Hormonal disbalance

Problems with libido are one of the signs of hormonal disorders. More often, sexual activity decreases, but sometimes it increases. The individual begins to dream of intimacy constantly. If a person has hormonal problems, enough joy hormones are not released into the blood after the act. Therefore, he does not receive the expected satisfaction. This makes a person strive to repeat sexual intercourse immediately after completing the previous one. But he does not receive satisfaction.

Sex will not help normalize hormonal levels. It is important to visit a doctor. Another sign of hormonal disorders is constant arousal. In a healthy body, hormones are released before and during sex. And if an individual has hormonal problems, he can become aroused for no reason at any time, because the release of hormones is not controlled.

Taking medications

For hypersexuality, PDE5 inhibitors are prohibited. They are used to treat diseases (for example, hypertension), but the side effect is increased sexual desire. This could be vardenafil or sildenafil. They are available only by prescription and are taken orally.

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Age crisis

Crises are associated with physiological, hormonal and psychological changes. There are 4 key crises:

• 15 – 25 years (men are characterized by spermotoxicosis; guys do not yet know what to do to please a woman, so they are afraid of sexual intimacy; women are characterized by a low sex drive; girls agree to intimacy, as a rule, to lose their virginity or to please their loved one);
• 25 – 40 (men experience satiety, strive to build a career and start a family; and women blossom in the intimate sphere after 25 years; many mature ladies can experience sexual pleasure for the first time; the relaxedness of women and the satiety of men can lead to sexual imbalance in marriage and even separation) ;
• 40 – 53 (men become more sexually active; many leave their regular partner for the sake of new pleasures and variety; women are less active in an intimate sense, their maternal instinct awakens, which they direct to their grandchildren or husband);
• from 55 (male menopause sets in, a man becomes aroused more slowly, but sexual intercourse lasts longer; if a mature man has a permanent partner, at this age he practices intimacy about 4 times a month; women’s interest in sex also increases, the sensations become more vivid; women often decide to have short-term relationships outside the family).

Partner's dissatisfaction

During a period of intense love, the halves do not notice mistakes in bed. They enjoy love pleasures regularly. But after the feelings have cooled, a new stage begins - “grinding in”. People perceive each other more critically, and mistakes can become annoying.

A couple may find that they are sexually incompatible. One partner remains more sexually active than the other. One person's favorite positions seem unpleasant to another. Both remain unsatisfied. Irritation accumulates, people move away.

And sometimes partners are compatible, but do not know how to negotiate or share desires. It is worth talking openly about your passions to each other. It is important to focus on improving the quality of intimacy rather than increasing its quantity.

Other

The imposed standards that are transmitted through pop culture and porn affect people's sex lives. Couples don't want to feel wrong, so they pursue sexual pleasure even if they have a low libido. Standards are also imposed by scientists who have determined that a healthy young couple should indulge in passion twice a week.

But libido depends on the innate characteristics, temperament, character, lifestyle and outlook of a person. Cholerics and hyperactive individuals need sex more than melancholic and more passive people. Some individuals experience too much stress, so they do not have enough energy for intimacy. And others lead a more relaxed life, so they are full of energy at night.

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Many people strive to assert themselves through the number of partners. Quiet people dream of proving to others that they are not so quiet after all. They become fixated on changing partners and try to know more about the pleasures of love than anyone else. This almost always happens in youth.

Stress affects your level of sexual desire. People who have experienced a disaster or received an unexpected promotion are known to experience intense sexual arousal. This is due to the release of adrenaline. This activates the central nervous system, accelerates the heartbeat, and accelerates blood circulation in the genital area. These “symptoms” resemble sexual arousal. Therefore, couples after a psychological shake-up may want intimacy. Even the stress of a roller coaster ride can send lovers into bed.

Pregnancy is another period of increased sexual desire for a woman. A particularly strong desire appears at the beginning of pregnancy. After all, this is a phase of hormonal instability. Under the influence of hormones, girls' breasts become especially sensitive. The blood supply to the uterus and areas located close to it increases. Therefore, even during toxicosis, the expectant mother may really want sex.