Nymphomania

Hypersexuality is the elevated desire to engage in human sexual behavior at a level high enough to be considered problematic and clinically significant.The concept of hypersexuality replaces the older concepts of nymphomania (or furor uterinus) and satyriasis. Nymphomania was believed to be a female psychological disorder characterized by an overactive libido and an obsession with sex. In males the disorder was called satyriasis (for etymology of the words, see nymph and satyr). "Nymphomania" and "satyriasis" are no longer listed as specific disorders in the DSM-IV, though they remain a part of ICD-10.The threshold for what constitutes hypersexuality is subject to debate, and critics question whether a standardized diagnostic threshold even exists. Sex drive varies widely in humans; what one person would regard as a normal sex drive might be deemed to be excessive by some and low by others.People who suffer from bipolar disorder[citation needed] may often display tremendous swings in sex drive depending on their mood. Hypersexuality may be expressed during periods of mania or hypomania.[citation needed]Several neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, various types of brain injury, Kluver-Bucy syndrome, Kleine-Levin syndrome, and many more neuro-degenerative diseases can cause hypersexual behavior. Importantly, at times, drugs could contribute to hypersexual behavior.Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD), originally called Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome (PSAS) and also known as Restless Genital Syndrome (ReGS or RGS)[1] [2], results in a spontaneous and persistent genital arousal, with or without orgasm or genital engorgement, unrelated to any feelings of sexual desire. It was first documented by Dr. Sandra Leiblum in 2001,[3] only recently characterized as a distinct syndrome in medical literature.[4] Some physicians use the term Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome to refer to the condition in women; others consider the syndrome of priapism in men to be the same disorder.[4][5] In particular, it is not related to hypersexuality, sometimes known as nymphomania or satyriasis. In addition to being very rare, the condition is also frequently unreported by sufferers who may consider it shameful or embarrassing.[6]Physical arousal caused by this syndrome can be very intense and persist for extended periods, days or weeks at a time. Orgasm can sometimes provide temporary relief, but within hours the symptoms return. The symptoms can be debilitating, preventing concentration on mundane tasks. Some situations, such as riding in an automobile or train, vibrations from mobile phones, and even going to the toilet can aggravate the syndrome unbearably.A Dutch study has connected PSAS with restless legs syndrome.There is not enough known about persistent genital arousal disorder to definitively pinpoint a cause. Medical professionals think it is caused by an irregularity in sensory nerves, and note that the disorder has a tendency to strike post-menopausal women in their 40s and 50s, or those who have undergone hormonal treatment. It can affect a person at any age.Some drugs such as trazodone may cause it as a side effect,[10] in which case discontinuing the medication may give relief. Additionally, the condition can sometimes start only after the discontinuation of SSRIs.[11] In some recorded cases, the syndrome was caused by a pelvic arterial-venous malformation with arterial branches to the penis or clitoris; surgical treatment was effective in this case.[5]In other situations where the cause is unknown or less easily treatable, the symptoms can sometimes be reduced by the use of antidepressants, antiandrogenic agents and anaesthetising gels. Psychotherapy with cognitive reframing of the arousal as a healthy response may also be used.More recently, the symptoms of the condition have also been linked with pudendal nerve entrapment. Regional nerve blocks and less common surgical intervention have demonstrated varying degrees of success in most cases.In one recent case, serendipitous relief of symptoms was noted from treatment with varenicline, a treatment for nicotine addictionSexual addiction refers to a phenomenon in which individuals report being unable to manage their sexual behavior. It has also been called "sexual dependency," and "sexual compulsivity." The existence of the condition is not universally accepted by sexologists and its etiology, nature, and validity have been debated.Proponents of the concept have offered varying descriptions, each according to their favored model of the putative phenomenon. Proponents of an addiction model of the phenomenon refer to it as "sexual addiction" and offer definitions based on substance addictions; proponents of lack-of-control models refer to it as "sexual compulsivity" and offer definitions based on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); etc. Skeptics believe that it is a myth that the phenomenon exists as a disease or disorder at all and is instead a by-product of cultural and other influences.DefinitionSexologists have not reached any consensus regarding whether sexual addiction exists or, if it does, how to describe the phenomenon.Some experts (who?) believe that sexual addiction is literally an addiction, directly analogous to alcohol and drug addictions. Other experts believe that sexual addiction is actually a form of obsessive compulsive disorder and refer to it as sexual compulsivity.[3] Still other experts believe that sex addiction is itself a myth, a by-product of cultural and other influences.Terminology"Nymphomania" and "satyriasis" are not listed as disorders in the DSM-IV, though they remain a part of ICD-10, each listed as a subtype of "hypersexuality