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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffCompulsive sexual behavior can occur in both men and women, though it's more common in men. It can also affect anyone regardless of sexual preference — whether heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual.
Compulsive sexual behavior often occurs in people who have:
- Alcohol or drug abuse problems
- Another psychological condition, such as a mood disorder, impulse control disorder or mental health problem, such as a gambling addiction
- A history of physical or sexual abuse
There's a broad range of sexual activities that can be warning signs of compulsive sexual behavior. Examples include:
- Having multiple sexual partners or extramarital affairs
- Having sex with anonymous partners or prostitutes
- Avoiding emotional involvement in sexual relationships
- Using commercial phone sex conversations for gratification
- Visiting sexually explicit Internet sites or services
- Engaging in excessive masturbation
- Frequently using pornographic materials
- Engaging in masochistic or sadistic sex
- Exhibitionism
- Having a fixation on an unattainable sex partner
- Marshall LE, et al. Assessment, diagnosis, and management of hypersexual disorders. Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 2010;23:570.
- Kaplan MS, et al. Diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of hypersexuality. Journal of Sex Research. 2010;47:181.
- Paraphilias. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/print/sec16/ch213/ch213c.html. Accessed July 2, 2011.
- Mick TM, et al. Impulsive-compulsive sexual behavior. CNS Spectrums. 2006;11:944.
- Kuzma J, et al. Epidemiology, prevalence, and natural history of compulsive sexual behavior. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2008;31:603.
- Codispoti VL. Pharmacology of sexually compulsive behavior. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2008;31:671.
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