Hypersexuality is the desire to engage in human sexual behavior at a level high enough to be considered clinically significant.

[edit] Concept

The concept of hypersexuality replaces the older concepts of nymphomania (or furor uterinus) and satyriasis. Nymphomania was believed to be a female psychological disorder characterized by an overactive libido and an obsession with sex. In males the disorder was called satyriasis (for etymology of the words, see nymph and satyr). "Nymphomania" and "satyriasis" are no longer listed as specific disorders in the DSM-IV, though they remain a part of ICD-10.

The threshold for what constitutes hypersexuality is subject to debate, and critics question whether a standardized diagnostic threshold even exists. Sex drive varies widely in humans; what one person would regard as a normal sex drive might be deemed to be excessive by some and low by others.

[edit] Associated conditions

People who suffer from bipolar disorder & Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) may often display tremendous swings in sex drive, depending on their mood. Hypersexuality may be expressed during periods of mania or hypomania.

Several neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease,^[1] various types of brain injury,^[2] Kluver-Bucy syndrome,^[3] Kleine-Levin syndrome,^[4] and many more neuro-degenerative diseases can cause hypersexual behavior. Importantly, at times, drugs could contribute to hypersexual behavior.

[edit] See also

• Persistent sexual arousal syndrome
• Sexual addiction
• Asexuality

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

• The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - Kluver-Bucy Syndrome