Nymphomania is a term that is often used in general terms, under an erroneous conceptualization. That is, they use the word lightly without understanding how complex this compulsive sexual behavior is and how in many cases it affects an individual’s personal relationships.
Added to that, nymphomania seems to be associated only with women, and it is also a mistake. This type of disorder also affects male patients, and in fact the percentage of women reaches only 2% of the total.
Next we will know better what nymphomania is, what are the causes of this behavior, characteristics and the appropriate treatment.
What is nymphomania?
Groneman in his book Nymphomania: A Story, defined it as a sexual need of all kinds, which requires frequent genital stimulation, be it through relationships, masturbation or consumption of pornography, and which is often accompanied by feelings of shame or guilt.
In this sense, there are additional psychological and neurological symptoms that are part of this problem, in addition to the constant uterine fury. In fact, nymphomania was really an isolated concept for the obsession with sex in women and satiariasis was attributed to men.
It happens that these terms are not found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5), especially if compulsive sexual behavior or hypersexuality is recognized within the International Classification of Diseases.
Causes of nymphomania
Nymphomania comes to be developed from certain elements in the life of the individual. Next, we will mention and describe some of the most outstanding for the understanding of this behavior.
Imbalance in neurotransmitters
Nymphomania is caused by an imbalance in brain chemicals.
In a Middlesex Health article , they explain that neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine are responsible for helping to regulate mood, and elevated levels may be one of the reasons for compulsive sexual behavior.
Lesions in brain lobes
The frontal lobes of the brain are highly vulnerable due to their position, and injury can cause both a simple dramatic increase in sexual urges and a critical decrease.
Hypersexuality is usually caused by lesions specifically in the orbitofrontal region, which, although it is considered the product of the person’s behavioral disinhibition, can cause more serious damage.
This area of the brain is one of those that helps us control emotions and control certain cognitive functions, so there are studies that show that it makes perfect sense that lesions located there play a critical role in the sexual neural network.
emotional trauma
Traumatic episodes in the present or past, abuse and abandonment are part of the factors that end up influencing the sexual imbalance that develops in the individual in their adult stage.
Dissociation can even start at an early age, but it is something that must be recognized in time to be treated and prevent it from evolving.
Psychological disorders
Hypersexuality can occur in psychological effects triggered by personality disorders such as narcissism, taking care to maintain a positive image with the number of people with whom you become sexually involved.
Epilepsy and dementia are other types of diseases that can cause damage to the brain and affect the area that controls sexual behavior. Treatments for psychological disorders also have side effects with their components that can cause compulsive sexual behavior,
drug use
As we previously mentioned, there are some medications with dopamine agonist components that influence the body’s values and can trigger this type of behavior.
In an article titled Drug-Induced Sexual Alterations, they mention the following:
- antihypertensives
- potassium savers
- carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
- beta blockers
- calcium channel blockers
- Vasodilators
- psychotropic
- antimanic
- antidepressants
- Anxiolytics
- Analgesics
- hormones
- antiulcer
- Miscellaneous
Addiction to alcohol and psychoactive substances
People who suffer from this type of behavior are usually related to addictions, but it is also noteworthy that in the article ” Nymphomania “ developed in 2018, they describe how alcohol and certain substances are reasons for the development of hypersexuality in individuals. who were initially prone to their psychological disorders.
Characteristics of nymphomania
Nymphomania has certain characteristics that allow us to distinguish this condition and understand much better what it really consists of. Below we briefly describe the most prominent ones.
Excessive masturbation and sex
It is important to mention that everyone’s sexual libido is different, so a person’s sexual activity can be considered high by some and low by others.
So the characteristic problem of excessive, occurs especially when it begins to affect the daily life of the individual in question and their personal relationships and in the workplace. It becomes uncontrollable behavior.
In addition to that, what is most taken into account when diagnosing are the feelings of guilt that come with it, low self-esteem and dissociation from sexual emotional behavior.
sexual obsessions occur
In cases of disorders like these, sexual desire works like an obsession and produces frustrations because the peace of mind lasts for short periods of time and she feels desire again. It even produces withdrawal symptoms such as:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Concern
- Insomnia
Generates risky sexual behaviors
Being an addiction developed at a psychological level, it happens that many times daily sexual practices get boring and they begin to feel tempted by innovation.
Many times these new things drag the individual to risky sexual practices, and to be exposed to sexually transmitted diseases that trigger worse situations, even death.
prevents other activities
The lack of concentration is imperative. The sexual desire prevents the person from seeing the normal development of her activities obstructed and causing great difficulties in her daily life.
In fact, in many cases, after completely jeopardizing the rhythm of life that was led before fully developing this type of disorder, they isolate themselves, manifesting feelings of emptiness and shame.
can trigger depression
This hypersexuality entails constant feelings of stress, anxiety and insecurity, which is why depressive symptoms are constant. Seeking help is important to be able to correctly recognize and treat the pictures.
It can cause social and family problems
The dependency that occurs makes you lose control over desire and the possibility of stopping it. It is then that the individual puts his responsibilities, including affective ones, at risk and neglects work, friends and his ties in general.
treatment for nymphomania
Treatments for this type of compulsive behaviors need the intervention of therapy, medication and self-help groups in general terms.
The objective is always aimed at controlling impulses and reducing desire levels to healthy ones. Below we describe the potential treatments for these situations.
Psychological therapies
Interventions of this type are usually very similar to those applied in any other type of addiction, since the main objective is abstinence.
In the Celapsi Blog , belonging to a graduate in Psychology from the University of Granada , mentions that they use cognitive behavioral therapies, behavioral dialectics, support groups and couples therapies.
Medications indicated by specialists
The medications that are usually used for this type of disorder are linked to other types of treatments.
Antidepressants are used to control compulsive behaviors, Naltrexone for behavioral addictions. Mood stabilizers to also control compulsive behaviors and antiandrogens that reduce the biological effects of sex hormones.
Support groups
Support groups are beneficial for feeling supported and removing feelings of shame or at least assuaging them. They can in fact exchange all useful strategies to face the situations.
They are especially effective for patients in denial. Multiple couples who are affected by this type of situation can also attend.
Hypnosis
Hypnotherapy helps to understand on another level the reasons why these disorders can develop in sexual life. It helps to recognize and heal, through these methodologies, the symptoms and can even work as a treatment for addiction to sex or lack of enthusiasm.
mindfulness
Mindfulness is known as a relaxation technique, which allows us to become aware of our emotions to eliminate, above all, frustration and anxiety. It is applied as a therapeutic technique and is of relevant importance to attenuate sexual desires.
In the PsicoDex Blog , they mention how it works to manage stress, learn patterns of individual reactivity, topography of emotions and sensations, etc.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.