Beyond Desire: How Sex Addiction Manifests Differently in Men and Women
While both men and women can experience Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD), research shows that the patterns, underlying mechanisms, and experiences of shame or help-seeking differ across genders. Understanding these distinctions helps clinicians and individuals alike navigate the complexities of sexual behavior, addiction, and recovery.
Who Experiences Compulsive Sexual Behavior the Most?
Males tend to show up in the numbers more often, but the full picture is more complicated.
Globally, a survey of over 80,000 adults found that 8.2% of men met clinical thresholds for compulsive sexual behavior, compared with 2.4% of women (Bőthe et al., 2025).
In the U.S., about 10.3% of men and 7.0% of women reported significant distress over difficulty controlling sexual urges or behaviors (Dickenson et al., 2018).
The difference is stark: CSBD is not one-size-fits-all. How this struggle presents is profoundly shaped by gender.
Behavioral Differences: Solo Struggles vs. Relational Rollercoasters
Men and women often struggle in fundamentally different ways.
For Men: The Solitary Slide
Men are generally more likely to have issues that are solitary. Their distress often centers on solo behaviors like frequent or excessive pornography use and masturbation. For many men, the core of their struggle takes place when they are alone (Grubbs et al., 2020).
For Women: The Relational Riptide
Women, by contrast, tend to report challenges that are more relational and focused on partnered sexual activity. For women, this behavior is often driven by a need for emotional regulation or linked to attachment patterns. Things like a desire for intimacy, past trauma, or relationship stress can be powerful triggers (Lewczuk et al., 2021).
Understanding this difference is key: CSB isn't a "one-size-fits-all" problem. How it shows up is deeply personal and is shaped by both gender and individual experience.