Women and Sex Addiction: Facts and Statistics
Published:
Mar 4, 2024
,
08:44 a.m.
ET
Updated:
Jan 27, 2025
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07:04 p.m.
ET
Sex addiction affects both men and women. Numerous studies have found that it’s become a growing problem. According to research from BedBible Research Center, 21 million Americans are sex addicts.
Another study found that 4.7 million Americans spend up to 11 hours per week looking at adult websites. This has also led to questions regarding sex addiction in females.
There is growing research on this subject, but more is needed. In fact, there is still debate around sex addiction overall as a standalone diagnosable condition. As a result, many women are unlikely to seek help due to shame or stigma associated with it. Some have also felt uncomfortable joining a support group due to the traditional male-heavy gender split.
Signs of a Female Sex Addict
To recognize the signs of a female sex addict, it’s important to understand sex addiction on the whole. The legitimacy of and diagnosis criteria for sex addiction are hotly debated in the scientific world.
Currently in the DSM-5 criteria there no such thing as "sex addiction" specifically. But, sexual addiction can be referred to as compulsive sexual disorder or hypersexuality. To meet this criteria, an individual (make or female) would have to experience compulsive sexual fantasies, intense urges, and behaviors that interfere with daily life in the past six months. It can also be diagnosed in the DSM-5 as Unspecified Sexual Dysfunction (F52.9).
In the ICD-10-CM (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision), there was diagnosis code F91.8 for "other conduct disorders," under which sex addiction could fall. However, in the newer ICD-11 there is code 6C72 for "Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder" (CSBD) under which sex addiction can fall.
Signs of sex addiction can look the exact same among men and women. However, sex addiction itself can manifest in different ways. The most common signs include cheating on partners, engaging in risky behavior, and spending excessive amounts of time on sex, masturbation, or pornography. Emotional and psychological effects of sex addiction include feelings of shame, anxiety, or depression.
It is worth noting, however, that researchers and clinicians are not immune to sociocultural biases regarding gender and sexual ideology and may therefore be more likely to overlook female CSBD or conceptualize it as a manifestation of another clinical issue such as trauma, bipolar, or borderline personality disorder.
What causes sexual addiction, CSBD & hypersexuality?
Sexual compulsion is often referred to as sexual addiction or hypersexuality. These terms are often used interchangeably. The causes of sex addiction and hypersexuality aren’t fully known, but possible theories suggest changes in the brain caused by:
Imbalance of brain or mood chemicals. Certain chemicals in the brain such as dopamine or serotonin can control your mood. When these chemicals aren’t balanced, it affect your sexual desires.
Brain conditions caused by damage or certain medications. Certain brain conditions such as Parkinson’s disease can alter the brain to excessively desire sex. Medications can also affect sexual desire.
Substance abuse. Sometimes a history of alcoholism or substance abuse can be linked with sex addiction. Compulsive behavior changes the brain’s pathways known as neural circuits. This causes a need for sexual stimulation and relief.
Trauma. Sex addiction can often be related to childhood experiences, including a history of abuse or attachment-related trauma. These early experiences can alter the way one establishes and maintains adult relationships. There are notable cases of individuals coming from families where abuse and/or trauma were present. In fact, more than 2/3 experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse themselves.
What causes intimacy disorders?
Even though sex addiction is focused on physical intimacy, it’s often due to a lack of emotional intimacy. Many may not realize that they have a fear of intimacy, which can be why an individual gets more positive feelings from casual encounters than from long-term relationships.
Many factors, such as a history of abuse, a difficult childhood upbringing, or the loss of a parental figure can cause fear of intimacy. Fear of abandonment and a fear of loss are some common driving factors behind the fear of intimacy.
These fears can often be rooted in childhood trauma and are triggered when they establish adult relationships. Fear of abandonment can also be caused by anxiety or personality disorder. Signs of fear of intimacy can include poor communication, lack of physical contact, and trust issues.
Effects of sex and love addiction
Sex addiction involves sexual urges, while love addiction involves the intense craving for someone. Both of them are alike in that they relate to an obsession with a particular person or partner. You may notice cravings or feelings of euphoria when you’re with them, which leads to withdrawal when they’re not around.
Effects of sex and love addiction include:
Health issues such as STIs, HIV, or AIDS
Decreased self-esteem and self-worth
Inability to develop and maintain healthy romantic relationships
Legal problems as a result of stalking or exhibitionist sexual behavior
Treatment options for sex and love addiction
Both sex and love addiction are treated with medication, psychotherapy, and self-help groups. Medication is prescribed to treat the mental health conditions associated with the addiction. Common medications include anti-anxiety medication, anti-androgens, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and Naltrexone.
Psychotherapy is an approach where you’ll speak with a mental health professional who helps you identify your emotions, triggers, and factors that caused your sex or love addiction.
Counseling is also available to couples, families, and others who are affected by the individual’s addiction. Most support groups are modeled after the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous, such as Sex Addicts Anonymous and Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous.
You can find a local chapter in your community. Or, you can start your mental health journey with Birches Health, where you can have treatment at home.
Resources:
Sexual Addiction Statistics: 24 Eye-Opening Facts
Does society have a sex addiction problem?
Sex Addiction, Hypersexuality and Compulsive Sexual Behavior
