Thinking with our nether regions may be natural, but continually acting on those thoughts while the laundry piles up could be the sign of a problem. So how much sex is ideal, and how much is too much?
Research suggests that, for people in relationships, having sex is linked to greater well-being and happiness. But more doesn’t equate with better. People having sex twice a week aren’t any happier than people having it once a week. (Don’t worry, they’re not less happy either.) Muise A, et al. (2015). Sexual frequency predicts greater well-being, but more is not always better.
Which leads to the question: Is it possible that doing the deed too much can interfere with a happy, healthy life?
If a rabid sexual appetite isn’t related to a new infatuation, it could be part of a more serious issue.
If your sexual impulses feel out of control, or you’re having sex to avoid feeling lonely or depressed, or you’re having sex despite risky consequences (like contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or losing a partner), this might be the sign of a problem.
Sex obsession – sometimes called hypersexuality, compulsive sexual behavior, or sex addiction – is a murky topic. Some research supports the idea that sex addiction is a psychiatric disorder, but other reports suggest the subject is still up for debate. Blum K, et al. (2015). Hypersexuality addiction and withdrawal: Phenomenology, neurogenetics and epigenetics. DOI: /cureus.348] [Walton MT, et al. (2017). Hypersexuality: A critical review and introduction to the “sexhavior cycle.” DOI: /s10508-017-0991-8
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