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Sex addiction in men vs. women

There can be some differences with somebody being sexually addicted depending on their gender, whether they’re male or a female. With men we tend to see a lot more stimulation with looking,; porn, strip clubs and so forth. Or very non-intimate experiences: prostitution, short-term affairs and anonymous encounters.

Women who have compulsive behavior sexually and romantically, in general, tend to be more relational in their acting out. When we say acting out we mean being sexual outside of set of boundaries that are explicit or implied in contract with another person, or violating their own values. They tend to play out the compulsion within a context of multiple relationships.

However, when you see women who come into treatment for sexual addiction, because there’s so much shame associated with the concept or the label of sex addict with a woman versus a man, she oftentimes does not seek help until it’s really bad. So oftentimes when women come into treatment their problems and their consequences are as severe if not worse than in a men.