Sexual expression is a natural part of a well-rounded life. But if you have a need for and preoccupation with sex that's so intense that it interferes with your job and your relationships, you may have a problem. You may find yourself failing repeatedly at attempts to reduce or control your sexual activities or desires. Health experts use a number of labels for this potentially serious condition.
Some doctors call it sexual obsession.
Others use the term sexual addiction, comparing it with the uncontrolled use of a drug. Others argue that it's an issue of impulse control or obsessive-compulsive behavior. No matter what name is attached to the behavior, sexual obsession is a very real affliction that interferes with everyday living. Between 3 percent and 6 percent of Americans suffer from sexual obsession. The disorder is more common among men.