Summary: Men diagnosed with hypersexual disorder (also referred to as compulsive sexual behavior disorder or sex addiction) show higher circulating oxytocin levels compared with men without the condition.
Source: The Endocrine Society
New research indicates that men with hypersexual disorder have elevated blood oxytocin compared with healthy men, and that successful psychological treatment is associated with a decline in those levels. The findings were published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Hypersexual disorder is characterized by persistent, excessive sexual thoughts and behaviors that continue despite negative consequences. It often involves impulsivity, mood-driven episodes, and a subjective loss of control over sexual activity.
Oxytocin, a hormone produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, is well known for its role in social bonding and sexual behavior. Disturbances in oxytocin signaling could contribute to the biological basis of hypersexual disorder.
“We found that men with compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) had higher oxytocin levels than healthy control men,” said Andreas Chatzittofis, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Cyprus Medical School and Umeå University. “Cognitive behavioral therapy led to reductions in both hypersexual symptoms and oxytocin levels.”
The study compared plasma samples from 64 men diagnosed with hypersexual disorder to samples from 38 age-matched healthy volunteers. On average, men with hypersexual disorder showed substantially higher plasma oxytocin concentrations than the control group. A subgroup of 30 patients completed a manualized, group-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program specifically for hypersexual disorder; after treatment, their oxytocin levels dropped significantly.
The authors propose that an overactive oxytocinergic system may represent a compensatory response to heightened stress signaling. Oxytocin can act as a counterregulatory neuroendocrine factor to cortisol, and its dysregulation may be part of the disorder’s underlying neurobiology.
“These results suggest oxytocin plays an important role in sex addiction and might represent a potential pharmacological target in the future,” Chatzittofis added.
Other study authors include John Flanagan, Jonas Hallberg, Katarina Görts Öberg and Stefan Arver (Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden); Adrian Desai E. Boström (University of Cyprus and Umeå University); and Jussi Jokinen (Umeå University and Karolinska Institutet).
Funding: This research was supported by the Swedish Research Council, the Stockholm Regional Council and Region Västerbotten.
About this hypersexual disorder research news
Author: Colleen Williams
Source: The Endocrine Society
Contact: Colleen Williams – The Endocrine Society
Image: The image is in the public domain
Original Research: Open access. “High Plasma Oxytocin Levels in Men With Hypersexual Disorder” by Andreas Chatzittofis et al., published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (DOI available in the journal citation).
Abstract
High Plasma Oxytocin Levels in Men With Hypersexual Disorder
Context
Hypersexual disorder (HD) is characterized by persistent, excessive sexual behaviors that can be linked to mood states and impaired impulse control. In the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, compulsive sexual behavior disorder is classified as an impulse control disorder. While the precise neurobiology remains unclear, prior work has pointed to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Oxytocin functions as a counterregulatory neuroendocrine hormone to cortisol and is integrally involved in sexual and social behaviors.
Objective
The investigators tested the hypothesis that oxytocin contributes to the pathophysiology of hypersexual disorder, potentially as a compensatory mechanism in relation to cortisol activity.
Design
A longitudinal clinical study.
Setting
ANOVA clinic at Karolinska University Hospital.
Participants
Sixty-four men diagnosed with hypersexual disorder and 38 age-matched healthy volunteers.
Main Outcome Measures
Primary measures included plasma oxytocin concentrations assessed by radioimmunoassay and validated clinical scales for hypersexual behavior: the Hypersexual Disorder Screening Inventory and the Hypersexual Disorder: Current Assessment Scale.
Interventions
A subgroup of patients (n = 30) completed a manual-based, group-administered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program for hypersexual disorder; oxytocin levels were measured before and after treatment.
Results
Men with hypersexual disorder (n = 64) had significantly higher plasma oxytocin levels (mean ± SD: 31.0 ± 9.9 pM) than healthy volunteers (16.9 ± 3.9 pM; P < 0.001). Oxytocin concentrations correlated positively with clinical ratings of hypersexual behavior. Among patients who completed CBT (n = 30), mean oxytocin levels fell markedly from pretreatment (30.5 ± 10.1 pM) to posttreatment (20.2 ± 8.0 pM; P < 0.001), paralleling clinical improvement.
Conclusions
The findings indicate an overactive oxytocinergic system in men with hypersexual disorder, which may act as a compensatory response to increased stress signaling. These results highlight oxytocin’s potential role in the disorder’s neurobiology and suggest that oxytocin-related pathways could be explored as targets for future therapeutic strategies, alongside established psychotherapeutic approaches such as CBT.