Nymphomania is a mental disorder with  compulsive sexual behavior. Compulsions are unwanted actions, or rituals, that a person engages in repeatedly without getting pleasure from them or being able to control them. In the case of nymphomania, people act out their compulsions by engaging in risky behaviors such as promiscuity. Whether or not nymphomania qualifies as a true mental illness is often debated in the medical community, but evidence suggests that compulsive sexual behavior is a real and serious illness.

SYMPTOMS OF NYMPHOMANIA

Some indications that you may be struggling with compulsive sexual behavior include:

•  Recurrent and intense sexual fantasies, urges and behaviors that take up a lot of  time and feel as if they're beyond control.
•  Driven to do certain sexual behaviors, feel a release of the tension afterward, but also feel guilt or remorse.
• They've tried unsuccessfully to reduce or control sexual fantasies, urges or behavior.
• they use compulsive sexual behavior as an escape from other problems, such as loneliness, depression, anxiety or stress.
• they continue to engage in sexual behaviors that have serious consequences, such as the potential for getting or giving someone else a sexually transmitted infection, the loss of important relationships, trouble at work, financial strain, or legal problems.
• they have trouble establishing and maintaining healthy and stable relationships.

CAUSES OF NYMPHOMANIA

Although the causes of compulsive sexual behavior are unclear, they may include:

• An imbalance of natural brain chemicals. Certain chemicals in  brain (neurotransmitters) such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine help regulate  mood. High levels may be related to compulsive sexual behavior.
• Changes in brain pathways. Compulsive sexual behavior may be an addiction that, over time, might cause changes in the brain's neural circuits, especially in the reinforcement centers of the brain. Like other addictions, more-intensive sexual content and stimulation are typically required over time in order to gain satisfaction or relief.
• Conditions that affect the brain. Certain diseases or health problems, such as epilepsy and dementia, may cause damage to parts of the brain that affect sexual behavior. In addition, treatment of Parkinson's disease with some dopamine agonist medications may cause compulsive sexual behavior.

RISK FACTORS

Compulsive sexual behavior can occur in both men and women, though it may be more common in men. It can also affect anyone, regardless of sexual orientation. Factors that may increase risk of compulsive sexual behavior include:

• Ease of access to sexual content. Advances in technology and social media allow access to increasingly intensive sexual imagery and information.
• Privacy. Secrecy and privacy of compulsive sexual activities tend to allow these problems to worsen over time.

Also, an increased risk of compulsive sexual behavior may occur in people who have:

• Alcohol or drug abuse problems
• Another mental health condition, such as a mood disorder (such as depression or anxiety), or a gambling addiction
• Family conflicts or family members with problems such as addiction
• A history of physical or sexual abuse

COMPLICATIONS

Compulsive sexual behavior can have many negative consequences that affect both you and others. You may:

• Struggle with feelings of guilt, shame and low self-esteem
• Develop other mental health conditions, such as depression, suicide, severe distress and anxiety
• Neglect or lie to your partner and family, harming or destroying meaningful relationships
• Lose your focus or engage in sexual activity or search internet pornography at work, risking your job
• Accumulate financial debts buying pornography and sexual services
• Contract HIV, hepatitis or another sexually transmitted infection or pass a sexually transmitted infection to someone else
• Engage in unhealthy substance use, such as using recreational drugs or drinking excessive alcohol
• Be arrested for sexual offenses

PREVENTION

Because the cause of compulsive sexual behavior isn't known, it's not clear how it might be prevented, but a few things may help keep this type of behavior in check:

• Get help early for problems with sexual behavior. Identifying and treating early symptoms may help prevent compulsive sexual behavior from getting worse over time or escalating into a downward spiral of shame, relationship problems and harmful acts.
• Seek treatment early for mental health disorders. Compulsive sexual behavior may be worsened by depression or anxiety.
• Identify and seek help for alcohol and drug abuse problems. Substance abuse can cause a loss of control and unhappiness that can lead to poor judgment and may push you toward unhealthy sexual behaviors.
• Avoid risky situations. Don't jeopardize your health or that of others by putting yourself into situations where you'll be tempted to engage in risky sexual practices.