Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.Hypersexual disorder is when you have an excessive preoccupation with sexual fantasies, urges or behaviors to the extent it has a negative impact on your life.Around half of the hypersexual participants were enrolled in a seven-week cognitive behavior therapy program to help them address their behavior.
They also gave routine blood samples for the study.The study discovered that men with hypersexuality had almost twice the levels of oxytocin as the control group.It also discovered that after seven weeks of behavioral therapy, the oxytocin levels fell significantly, until they were just slightly above the control group.“There is a lack of knowledge regarding the pathophysiology underlying hypersexual disorder, and this is the first study to indicate a role for oxytocin’s involvement,” lead researcher Andreas Chatzittofis, MD, PhD, told Healio.Why the men had higher oxytocin levels is unknown.
However, the researchers believe that at the very least, if someone is seeking a hypersexual diagnosis, checking their oxytocin levels might prove a beneficial indicator.Related: CDC issues health alert to gay and bi men in FloridaWomen tend to have more oxytocin than men, as it’s a key hormone of the reproductive system and plays a role in childbirth and breastfeeding.However, all humans have the hormone.
It’s sometimes dubbed the “cuddle hormone” or “love hormone,” as levels are boosted when we experience affection and intimacy.