Ever heard of sexual addiction and wondered what it is? Sex is very important for our survival as human species. It offers us the opportunity to procreate and ensure continuity of our species. Apart from the act being a tool for our survival as human species, it often offers us an avenue to experience pleasure, intimacy, and bonding.
However, our sexual activities can sometimes become addictive and problematic. When individuals are excessively preoccupied with sexual urges, fantasies or actions that are very difficult to control, cause significant distress, and negatively impact their health, relationships and daily activities, we often conclude that the person is suffering from sexual addiction or hypersexuality disorder.
Sexual addiction can occur in various ways and may vary in severity. It usually involves pleasurable sexual experiences such as masturbation, excessive use of pornography or paying for sex/soliciting a prostitute and repeated engagement in extramarital affairs.
In spite of the adverse consequences caused by these sexual activities, individuals who are addicted to sex find it extremely difficult to disengage from them. Consequently, such individuals have a high risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STI) like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and gonorrhea. They also risk developing physical injuries around the genital area due to repetitive sexual practices. Beyond the medical effects of sexual addiction, sexual addicts often risk financial loss due to the large amounts of money and time they spend on extramarital affairs, buying and watching pornographic materials for sexual satisfaction. Other reported consequences include legal issues such as being arrested for solicitation and engagement in illegal sexual activities. Due to the excessive preoccupation with sexual fantasies and urges, individuals with sexual addiction tend to have unrealistic expectations of what a satisfying sexual relationship should be like. These expectations most likely result in profound relationship problems and ultimately separation and divorce for those already married.
Research shows that individuals who suffer from sexual addiction usually suffer from psychological issues such as shame and guilt attributable to perceived inability to control sexual impulses. Various types of psychosocial treatments are available for individuals suffering from sexual addiction. When you recognize your sexual behavior is out of control and this is a source of distress for you, do not hesitate to reach out for professional help from the Dialogue Genitalia team.
In this series, we will begin to uncover the different sexually transmitted infections (STI) as well as determine which treatment and prevention practices work the best. Share this post, drop your questions and comments, and join us in our subsequent posts.
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