Hypersexuality refers to having uncontrollable and persistent sexual thoughts, behaviors, and urges that could affect several aspects of your life.

Some authorities and researchers classify hypersexuality as a disorder. However, others suggest that hypersexuality may be a symptom of other psychological disorders, rather than a disorder itself.

A 2018 review suggests that hypersexuality may fall within three theoretical models that could help classify it as a disorder. These include:

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies hypersexuality in the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11) as a compulsive sexual behavioral disorder (CSBD), a type of impulse control disorder.

According to the WHO, you may have CSBD if you experience the following for at least 6 months:

  • you’re constantly preoccupied with sexual thoughts, fantasies, or behaviors
  • you’re unable to stop or manage these thoughts and behaviors
  • you still have these thoughts or engage in sexual behaviors despite experiencing negative consequences

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) doesn’t classify hypersexuality as a disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5).

According to a 2021 review, this may be because:

  • not enough research on hypersexuality exists
  • there are no sufficient tests or criteria to make a proper diagnosis
  • a diagnosis may be used improperly, such as in legal cases

As such, researchers agree that more studies on hypersexuality are necessary to establish its proper classification.

Although the APA and WHO disagree on the classification of hypersexuality as a disorder, they both acknowledge that hypersexuality may be a symptom or characteristic of other mental disorders, including:

It’s important to note that hypersexuality isn’t the same as paraphilic disorders. This is when sexual urges target unusual things like objects, animals, and specific body parts (partialism).

Consider speaking with a healthcare professional if you’re experiencing frequent sexual thoughts or behaviors that may be affecting your quality of life.

They could develop a management plan that may include a combination of physical and psychological therapies, as well as medications.