The term “nymphomania” is thrown around today with little understanding as to its true implications. We’ll quite happily call a girl a “nympho” if she proves to be especially frisky; she may even don the title herself! Men commonly lust after women with a nympho streak, assuming that a girl whose sexual appetite can match their fantasies is automatically desirable. This can be true. Few men who have had the pleasure of a relationship in which sex is the main feature have complained on that score. It’s worth noting however, that genuine nymphomania or “hypersexuality” as it’s also known is not as sexy as it sounds.
For many highly sexed individuals, intercourse isn’t an expression of love or utter desire for their partner, but an emotional crutch. Those addicted to sex use it to fill a void left behind by some emotional trauma, or to drown out the stresses of their life in general. The time they’re in bed is an opportunity to forget their worries, feel wanted and appreciated. As flattering as it may be for a man to find himself the object of a woman’s affections five times daily, it’s worth considering whether she simply can’t get enough of you, or whether she’s emotionally unstable. The ubiquitous stories of “that crazy, sexy chick I dated once” are evidence enough of this.
Medical science has revealed a still darker side to hypersexuality, namely that of sex addiction. This is more than simply looking for emotional gratification in sex; it is a genuine physiological compulsion to rut. The two often go hand in hand, but whereas one can still conduct a relationship with a nympho (as rocky as it may prove to be), sex addicts need treatment, not more of what they crave.
True hypersexuality can be debilitating, affecting the person’s ability to work and lead a normal life beyond their desires. What’s more, a sex addict often doesn’t find the satisfaction they’re looking for, despite the frequency of their sexual activity. Medical studies have shown that those who suffer from this condition find themselves unsatisfied with sex, yet constantly compelled to seek it out.
MTV’s True Life series featured the notorious Brittany who admitted she needs sex 20 – 30 times a day. Her boyfriend, Jamiek, asked for a day without sex for his birthday. If sex is becoming the sole focus of your relationship, or worse, a source of serious tension, then perhaps your beloved nymph is more of a succubus than a wanton goddess.
