Is it hypersexuality?

Q I am a 25-year-old female who has a very, very, very high sex drive, and I have yet to find a person who can satisfy me sexually. I can have sex several times in a six-hour period and still not be satisfied. Do I have a problem? Do I need to go see a doctor about this?

M.S., Alabama

A You obviously have a very intense libido, but that doesn't necessarily mean there's something wrong with you. Women have varying degrees of interest in sex, ranging from no interest at all to levels that can exceed your considerable desires.

Doctors say what one person considers a normal sex drive would be considered excessive by someone else, but that a sex drive that prevents one from living a normal life is excessive by any standards.

Some sex therapists might consider you to be a victim of nymphomania, a psychological disorder peculiar to women who are characterized by an overactive libido and an obsession with sex. Although heightened sexuality, or hypersexuality, is frequently viewed as a symptom of bipolar disorder that's generally associated with the manic phase of the disease, it doesn't mean that you are such a victim.

However, it's a good idea to check with your doctor to see if your overactive libido is related to any number of diseases associated with hypersexuality. If that is the case, your physician can recommend therapists and other medical experts who can help you with treatment, particularly if your condition is preventing you from living a normal life.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group