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The powerful chemicals released
Many powerful feel good chemicals are released during sex. Those chemicals can motivate the person to seek the same experience over and over again.
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Sexual abuse or trauma
According to a study done in the USA, 80% of those who suffered from sex addiction have been through some kind of trauma or sexual abuse during their childhood.
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Sensation-seeking behavior
Those who display sensation-seeking behavior are more at risk of developing sex addiction. The sensation-seeking behavior can be connected to a person’s genes.
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Impulsive and emotional dysregulation problems
Those who have impulsive behavior and emotional dysregulation problems are at a higher risk of developing sex addiction. Sex addicts might thus also suffer from other kinds of addiction.
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Higher levels of sex hormones
Higher levels of sex hormones such as testosterone or estrogen can increase sexual desire and make the person more likely to become a sex addict. (See How does it feel like to have high levels of testosterone?)
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Depression causes sex addiction
Depression can be one of the factors contributing to sex addiction. In such a case, sex is used as a mood regulation method. (See How does it feel like to be depressed?)
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Performance anxiety
Performance anxiety can motivate some people to become sex addicts. In such a case, the person becomes addicted to sex as a means of compensation.
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Emotional rejection
When a person suffers from emotional rejection, they might seek other ways to compensate for their emotional needs. In such a case, that person might become a sex addict, as the person believes that getting sex represents getting emotional gratification from others.
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Biochemical abnormality
Sex addiction is not fully understood but it is believed that biochemical abnormality or other brain changes increase the risk.
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Dysfunctional families
Research has shown that sex addicts usually come from dysfunctional families. Sex addicts usually describe their parents as rigid or uncaring.
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Family history of addiction
According to one study, 80% of sex addicts reported some time of addiction that was present in their family members.
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Brain damage
Some disorders that can cause damage to some parts of the brain, such as dementia, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease, can cause sex addiction.
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Re-wiring of the brain
Compulsive sexual activity can lead to re-wiring of the brain in such a case that the person becomes addicted to sex and is unable to stop.
