Why am I always horny? These 3 reasons can explain it

According to experts, what is "normal" in terms of sexual desire.

Sexuality and libido vary from person to person. However, if you find that you have been very horny, you may be worried about whether this is normal and possible, or whether it indicates a bigger problem. Here is what sex experts have to say about what is normal, what is abnormal, and why you might want to have sex all the time.

What is normal when it comes to sexual desire

Experts agree that it is difficult to determine what is "normal" in terms of sexual arousal and frequency of sexual activity. Using words like "normal" doesn't actually help, because the desire and motivation for sex fluctuate throughout your life, and you should never feel that your experience is not as effective as other people's.

Basically, a normal, healthy sex drive will make you feel comfortable-whether it is once a month or twice a day.

According to a large national analysis of the frequency of sexual activity from 1989 to 2014, most couples usually have one sex every week. The analysis was published in the 2017 Sexual Behavior Archives. Of course, how much sex you have and how much sex you want are usually very different things. Studies have found that in heterosexual relationships, about half of men and women are satisfied with the frequency of having sex with their partners, and half of men are dissatisfied with their usual sexual behavior because they want more sex. About two-thirds of unsatisfied women also want more sex.

Related: How your libido changes in your 20s, 30s, and 40s

What if you are always hungry?

"The main difference between'normal' or healthy sexual behaviors and related sexual behaviors is whether there is trouble with sexual behavior, feelings of out-of-control behavior, and/or negative realistic consequences for your sexual behavior," Sarah Melancon, PhD, sociologist, clinical sexologist, and sex and relationship expert at SexToyCollective.com, told Health.

If you think you have too much sex drive to satisfy your personal comfort, or you seem to be in a state of constant stimulation, here are three possible explanations.

You are just very passionate about your partner

If you always describe yourself as horny, you may be thinking too much. Melancon says that the early stages of a relationship (about the first three months to two years) are often marked by passion and excitement, which usually translates into high levels of libido and sexual activity. This is often referred to as the "transient" phase of the relationship and involves many hormones and neurotransmitters that can produce very strong emotions and sexual sensations.

Although couples in a long-term relationship-no matter how happy they are together-cannot return to the simple stage, they can continue to enjoy their sex life by building trust, a sense of commitment and openly communicating their sexual needs, Merlin Kong said.

Related: What to do if your sex drive doesn’t match your partner’s sex drive

You are "addicted" to sex

The so-called sexual addiction is similar to the "addition" of video games, mobile phone use or pornographic viewing-basically, these behaviors are not physically as addictive as heroin, alcohol or cocaine," Melancon explained. In addition, there are also Some people worry that telling someone that they are sexually addicted will insult people with higher sexual desires. Traditional addiction models do not adequately address the underlying problems of people who lead to compulsive or impulsive sexual behavior.

Sex addiction is considered to be included in DSM-5, which is the latest version of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders"-a key diagnostic tool used by American practitioners to diagnose mental illness. But it was rejected due to insufficient evidence. However, Richard B. Krueger, MD, medical director of the Sexual Behavior Clinic of the New York State Institute of Psychiatry, stated in an article published in the journal Addiction in 2016 that it can still be used ICD-10 diagnoses hypersexuality or compulsive sexual behavior. The 10th revised edition of the International Classification of Diseases, which is considered a global standard for coding health information and causes of death) and DSM-5.

Professionals have been arguing about the concept of "sex addiction". "Some people think this is a man-made disease that makes sexual behavior pathological," Dr. Kruger told Health. "Others think this is a behavioral addiction, such as Internet gaming disorder or pathological gambling disorder." (He thinks it may be sexually addictive.)

"Sex addiction affects countless adolescents and adults that I evaluate in the clinic," Leela R. Magavi, a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist and regional medical director of community psychiatry in California, told Health. "Some people think that repeated masturbation or sexual intercourse helps them get a sense of pleasure, which is the same as what they experience when gambling or using a certain substance.

Ethics

"Some people use the terms'sexual addiction' and'hypersexuality' interchangeably," said Dr. Magavi. "Sex addiction and hypersexuality may affect individual functions and cause relationship problems."

Mental health practitioners consider certain factors when treating people who worry about their sexual behavior. Melancon said that there are many reasons why people's sexual desire increases, which are worth studying. "Sex can be used as a coping mechanism, just as people eat their own feelings, watch wildly, drink alcohol or take drugs to avoid dealing with their emotions and problems," she explained. In some cases, trauma (sexual or non-sexual) can lead to hypersexuality-Melancon says, this is largely a way of dealing with the body's persistent and uncomfortable nervous system responses.

Some mental health conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), may be related to changes in sexual desire and interest.

What to do if you are worried about your sexual desire

Melancon warned that it is absolutely possible to have a very high libido and have a healthy sexual relationship, but hypersexuality may lead to dangerous sexual behaviors. This may manifest as sexual behavior without condoms or birth control measures, legal risks (such as having sex in a public place), and/or crossing the boundaries of others (such as manipulating others for sex or committing rape or sexual assault in extreme cases).

If you are concerned about the risk of hypersexuality, she suggests considering certain questions: Are there emotions, relationships, or behavior patterns in your sexual desire and/or sexual behavior? (That is, do certain emotions, relationship challenges, or behaviors seem to increase sexual interest?) If you act on your own sexual impulses, are you protecting your safety, or are you acting in a way that you would not take during sex Ways to put yourself in danger to drive lower? Have you experienced the negative consequences of sex?

Also ask yourself if you have unmet emotional needs, and you may be trying to solve these needs through sex. "For example, some people desire to be needed, to be seen (literally and figuratively) or to be loved-although all of these are perfect human needs, they may try to satisfy them in unhealthy ways, ironically , Which often keeps us away from what we really need deep inside," Melancon explained.

Dr. Magavi recommends that if you find that sex is replacing time with family, sleeping or eating, and/or it affects your overall daily functions, arrange an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist. If you feel you are losing control or feel helpless, be sure to ask for help.

Dr. Kruger said that during any professional assessment, it is normal to be asked if you have any concerns about your sexual function or behavior. To get the most out of the experience, please be honest and remember that no reputable mental health practitioner will pass ethical judgment. Their role is to help you solve the underlying problem and make you feel satisfied and comfortable with your sexuality-no matter what it looks like.