There are several potentially harmful misconceptions out there in the world of sex addiction and recovery, and one of the most common is that only men suffer from issues like sex and pornography addiction. While it’s true that men do make up a larger portion of this population than women, sex and porn addiction also take place for women regularly – and many women in this situation are looking for help.
At Desert Solace, we’re here to provide caring outpatient sex and porn addiction recovery solutions to women in Arizona, Nevada and Idaho. We also offer inpatient programs for men struggling with sex and porn addiction.
Here are some basic facts on female sex and pornography addiction, how women who deal with these issues may differ from men in certain important ways, and some of the telltale signs or symptoms that you or someone in your life is dealing with sex or porn addiction.
The Facts
Again, it’s true that men make up the majority of people who deal with sex and porn addiction – but women make up a larger percentage than many would think. Around 30% of all cases of sex and porn addiction involve women, with anywhere from 10 to 20 percent being female-identifying.
In many settings, female sex addiction is referred to by the acronym FSLA, or Female Sex & Love Addiction. This acronym hits at what some researchers believe is an important difference between men and some women with regard to sex addiction: While men are primarily motivated by the actual act of sex, many women may be more driven by the emotional connection that comes from sex, or a desire for love and companionship.
That is, while men might be more likely to act out in purely physical ways, women may instead do things like engage in multiple affairs, seek out emotionally unavailable partners or stay in unhealthy relationships far longer than they should. Some women begin to confuse sex and love, leading a cycle of addiction where they seek out fleeting connections in hopes of finding love.
Females and Pornography Addiction
Down similar lines, women can also suffer from pornography addiction. While men are overwhelmingly the primary viewers of porn, that doesn’t mean there aren’t female watchers — and when it does happen, it can bring about all sorts of issues for them psychologically and physically.
For one thing, women who watch a lot of pornography may be more prone to depression or feelings of worthlessness due to the unrealistic and often objectifying depictions of women in porn. In other cases, they may have trouble forming real connections with others or have a hard time becoming aroused without the aid of porn.
Furthermore, the frequency of women viewing pornography has heavily increased in recent decades, and it’s possible that this increase could be linked to issues like depression or body image problems.
Identifying the Problem
It’s important to note that not all women who engage in promiscuous behavior or watch porn are addicted — but if you’re worried that you or someone close to you might have a problem, look out for certain symptoms. These may include many of the same issues as men, such as:
- Spending larger and larger amounts of time pursuing sexual connections: While in moderation, this kind of behavior is normal and natural, if it starts to take up far too much time or energy, then it could be an indication of a problem.
- Engaging in risky behaviors: If there’s a pattern of taking sexual risks that put yourself or loved ones at risk (such as having unprotected sex or pursuing dangerous lovers), then it may be an issue.
- Experiencing guilt or shame: If you feel guilty or ashamed after engaging in sexual behavior, it could be a sign of something more going on — and treatment could help.
Feeling unable to stop this behavior: If you’re having trouble controlling your sexual behavior or find it hard to stop engaging in this kind of activity, then it could be a sign that there’s an addiction at play.
It's Up to the Individual to Recognize Issues and Get Help
If any of these symptoms seem familiar, don’t hesitate to reach out for help — with the right treatment and support, women can overcome sex and porn addictions just as men can. Treatment centers and support groups specialized in female sex addiction recovery may be the best route, but there are also individual therapists and other professionals who have experience helping women with these issues.
No matter what, the important thing is to recognize that this kind of problem exists and it’s just as real for women as it is for men. With the right kind of help and support, a woman can overcome her sex addiction like any other — so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need it.
At Desert Solace, we specialize in helping both men and women with all kinds of sex and pornography issues throughout Arizona, Nevada and Idaho, so don’t hesitate to contact us today for more information. We’re here to help you or your loved one take back control over their life.
