Is your sex drive unusually high, or something more?

Prevalence studies consistently find higher rates in men (5-8%) than women (1-3%), but this gap may be narrower than reported. Women face stronger social stigma around sexual behaviour, which likely reduces disclosure and help-seeking. Additionally, much of the early research focused on male samples, and assessment tools may not fully capture how compulsive sexual behaviour manifests differently in women.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most evidence-supported approach, helping individuals identify triggers, challenge distorted thinking, and develop healthier coping strategies. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has also shown promise. For some individuals, SSRIs or naltrexone may reduce sexual preoccupation. Group therapy and 12-step programmes provide peer support. Recovery rates are encouraging: most people who engage in structured treatment report significant improvement within 12-24 months.

Yes, there is a well-documented association. People with ADHD are significantly more likely to report hypersexual patterns, likely due to shared underlying features: impulsivity, difficulty with self-regulation, and sensation-seeking. Studies estimate that 30-40% of individuals seeking treatment for compulsive sexual behaviour also meet criteria for ADHD. Treating ADHD often reduces hypersexual symptoms as well, suggesting the sexual behaviour is driven by the ADHD for some individuals rather than being a separate condition. If you suspect ADHD, the WHO ASRS-v1.1 screener is a validated first step.

A high sex drive means you want sex frequently and think about it often. This is entirely normal and varies widely across the population. Hypersexuality, as measured by the HBI-19, is defined not by frequency but by three specific features: a sense of losing control over sexual behaviour, negative consequences in your relationships or daily life, and using sex primarily to cope with negative emotions. Someone who has sex frequently with a willing partner and feels fine about it has a high libido, not hypersexuality. The critical distinction is distress and impairment, not frequency.

CSBD was included in the ICD-11 in 2018 under the code 6C72. It is classified as an impulse control disorder, not an addiction. The diagnostic criteria include a persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges resulting in repetitive sexual behaviour over an extended period of six months or more, causing marked distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. CSBD was not included in the DSM-5, partly due to debate about whether it constitutes a disorder or falls on a spectrum of normal variation.

The HBI-19 has strong psychometric properties. In the validation study by Reid et al. (2011), it demonstrated a sensitivity of 92.3% and specificity of 88.0% at the recommended cutoff of 53. This means it correctly identifies about 92 out of 100 people who have clinically significant hypersexual patterns and correctly clears about 88 out of 100 people who do not. Like all self-report screening tools, it is subject to response biases, including minimisation due to shame or exaggeration due to anxiety about behaviour. A clinical evaluation provides much greater accuracy.

The HBI-19 measures patterns of compulsive sexual behaviour broadly; it is not specific to pornography use. However, several items capture patterns relevant to problematic pornography use, particularly those measuring loss of control and negative consequences. The term "pornography addiction" is contested in clinical science. Neither the DSM-5 nor the ICD-11 recognises it as a distinct diagnosis. Some researchers argue that distress about pornography use is driven more by moral incongruence than by actual compulsive patterns. If your score is elevated and you are concerned specifically about pornography, a therapist can help you distinguish between genuine compulsivity and value-based distress.

A screening result, even one above the threshold, is not a reason to panic. It is a data point that may warrant a conversation with a professional. Many people who score above the threshold do not meet full criteria for CSBD upon clinical evaluation. Conversely, some people below the threshold may still benefit from professional support if they are distressed about their sexual behaviour. The most important question is not your score, but whether your sexual behaviour is causing you genuine distress or harm in your life. If the answer is yes, help is available and effective regardless of what any screening tool says.

No. All calculations happen in your browser. Your responses are not sent to any server, stored in any database, or shared with any third party. We do not collect personally identifiable information from the calculator. If you choose to download or share your result card, that action is initiated by you and processed locally. We take privacy especially seriously for sensitive screening tools.