Key Takeaways
- Men with compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) have significantly higher oxytocin levels than healthy controls.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) reduces both CSBD symptoms and oxytocin levels.
- Oxytocin may serve as a biomarker for CSBD, but it is not yet a treatment target.
Compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD), affecting an estimated 3 to 6% of people, may involve underlying neuroendocrine imbalances, including elevated oxytocin levels, according to a recent study. Many sex addicts are embarrassed to discuss this health problem because it is still extremely taboo. It is important to note that CSBD is a recognized impulse control disorder under the ICD-11, distinct from the often stigmatizing and non-clinical term ‘sex addiction.
Differences in the amount of oxytocin in the body explain why some men suffer from sex addiction and others do not, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Loss of control, anxiety, depression
Although sex is very good for your health, those who are addicted to it and lost control suffer from the same problems that all addictions cause: loss of control, anxiety, and depression. In fact, sex addiction can destroy an addict’s personal and professional life, and even some extreme cases lead to suicide.
In order to improve treatment for people suffering from sex addiction, researchers wanted to find out what causes it. To find out they analyzed blood samples from 64 men who had undergone treatment to cure their sex addiction and compared them with blood samples from 38 men who had led a healthy sex life. The result: the sex addicts had much higher levels of oxytocin in their bodies than the other men. However, researchers emphasized that elevated oxytocin may reflect a compensatory stress response rather than a direct cause of hypersexual behavior. The hormone is known to interact with the body’s stress systems, particularly cortisol regulation.
Higher levels of oxytocin
To confirm their findings, the researchers analyzed the sex addicts’ blood before and after they underwent cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat their problem. They found that the patients’ oxytocin levels were lower after they had completed all the psychological sessions.
“We found that men with compulsive sexual behavior disorder had higher levels of oxytocin than men who were stable in this area,” said study author Dr. Andreas Chatzittofis. Cognitive-behavioral therapy led to a reduction in patients’ urges and oxytocin levels, suggesting a possible relationship between symptom improvement and normalization of neuroendocrine function, though causation cannot be confirmed. Finally, it should be noted that women can also suffer from sex addiction, although the researchers did not address this issue in this study. Because the study included only men, further research is needed to assess whether similar oxytocin patterns are seen in women with CSBD.
Related Reading:
Sexual Behavior in Males and Females Are Determined by Specific Brain Genetic Activity
St George’s University: Even Young People Can Be Affected by Sudden Death during Sex
FAQs
What is CSBD?
Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder is an impulse control disorder marked by excessive, hard-to-control sexual urges and behaviors.
Does high oxytocin cause sex addiction?
No. The study shows a correlation, not causation. High oxytocin may reflect a stress response.
Can women have CSBD too?
Yes, but this particular study focused only on men.
Is oxytocin a potential treatment for low libido?
The study didn’t explore that, but future research may investigate it.
How is CSBD treated?
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is currently one of the most effective treatments.
Final thoughts
While this study focused on men with compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD), it raises intriguing questions about the broader role of oxytocin in sexual motivation. Could modulating oxytocin levels eventually support individuals with low libido especially those also experiencing anxiety or depression? Although the current research does not address this, future studies may explore oxytocin’s therapeutic potential across a wider spectrum of sexual health challenges.
References
John Flanagan, Andreas Chatzittofis, Adrian Desai E Boström, Jonas Hallberg, Katarina Görts Öberg, Stefan Arver, Jussi Jokinen, High Plasma Oxytocin Levels in Men With Hypersexual Disorder, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 107, Issue 5, May 2022, Pages e1816–e1822, https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgac015
