Men's and women's bodies are different. Their sexual responses also differ. While both genders can experience physical arousal, it occurs in distinct ways for each gender. Men become more erect during arousal while women's clitorises swell. Men produce semen when they orgasm while women do not. Men tend to reach orgasm faster than women. These differences mean that sexual addictions manifest differently in men and women.
For men, sexual addictions often include compulsive masturbation, viewing pornography, excessively frequent hookups, and paying for sex. They may seek out multiple partners at once or engage in sexual activity with strangers. Some may even have affairs or visit strip clubs frequently. Such behaviors lead to intense feelings of guilt and shame afterward.
Women's sexual addictions look very different. Common signs include excessive attention-seeking behavior through social media, constant texting/messaging about sex, and exhibitionism. Women with sexual addiction may feel anxious if they don't get enough attention from others, making them act out to obtain it. Sexual addiction in women is often seen as a way to cope with trauma, stress, or low self-esteem.
Those who experienced sexual abuse may use addiction to numb their pain.
Some studies suggest that sexual addiction affects about one in ten people. Addiction experts classify it as an impulse control disorder, meaning the brain becomes overwhelmed by sexual cravings. Brain scans show that these cravings activate the reward system in both genders but in different ways. In men, sexually arousing imagery stimulates the ventral striatum, which processes pleasure and motivation. In women, this region responds less strongly, so they seek novelty more than men do.
Treatment for sexual addiction includes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), support groups, and medications like antidepressants.
There is currently no FDA-approved drug specifically for sexual addiction. Many viewers find sexual addiction difficult to understand because it doesn't involve drugs or alcohol. Yet, it can be just as destructive and requires professional help to overcome.
How does sexual addiction manifest differently in men and women?
Different individuals may exhibit different symptoms depending on their unique experiences and personalities. Generally speaking, however, men with sexual addictions tend to engage in compulsive behaviors that can range from viewing pornography and masturbating excessively to seeking out multiple sexual partners.