ADHD and sexual preferences
First, there is a chance that ADHD may have a beneficial effect on a person’s sexual life. Examine a 2023 study where 1,392 participants were questioned on their sexual activities, relationships, and interests (541 with ADHD and 851 without). According to the research, “more adventurous” sexual behaviors and interests were present in people with ADHD. This may be the outcome of impulsivity, a frequent sign of ADHD, which may encourage people to be more adventurous and open-minded in their sexual life. In certain situations, these behaviors might strengthen the relationship with a partner or partners and promote sexual satisfaction. The study does point out that those with ADHD can also be more likely to participate in dangerous sexual activities. This may also be the result of impulsivity associated with ADHD, since one of the main symptoms is the inability to properly think and weigh the repercussions of actions made quickly.
Potential implications of ADHD on sexual desire and performance
It’s crucial to remember that ADHD can have a wide range of affects on sexuality, from none at all to major ones. Thus, while some people with ADHD do not have problems in their sexual lives as a result of their symptoms, others do. The subject of sex drive is intricate and multifaceted. Changes in sex drive may be related to particular identities or they may just be natural fluctuations. Remember that not everyone is attracted to people sexually, and someone’s orientation in this area may have a big impact on how they feel about any impacts ADHD may have on sex drive. Having said that, problems with sexual urge and/or function may arise in individuals with ADHD as a probable side effect of their symptoms.
Compulsive sexual behavior disease, often known as hypersexuality
Hypersexuality is one instance of this; in 2019, the World Health Organization classed it as obsessive sexual behavior disorder (CBSD). It is described as a “persistent failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges” that, over the course of six months or more, causes “marked distress or impairment” in some area of functioning. To put it another way, unless a person’s strong sex desire is causing problems in their lives, in which case they may have a case of CBSD, there’s usually nothing wrong with having a high sex drive. As some recent study indicates, people of all genders may be susceptible to CBSD as a result of ADHD symptoms. According to one study, as many as 67% of those with CBSD report having “some patterns of ADHD.” It also mentions that a person’s level of CBSD appeared to increase with the severity of their ADHD symptoms. One theory is that some ADHD symptoms may be momentarily alleviated by the release of endorphins and dopamine that often follows sexual activity. This, together with potential issues with impulse control, may cause people to seek out sexual activity more frequently. It can be beneficial for people with ADHD to be aware of this research in order to seek support if they detect the disruptive patterns of CBSD in themselves, even if further research is required in this area to validate any potential linkages.
Hyposexuality
A lack of desire for sexual engagement and issues with arousal are signs of hyposexuality. Keep in mind that asexuality and hyposexuality are not the same. A person who exhibits hyposexual behavior may be diagnosed with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), a disorder that is frequently linked to depression and might show itself as:
Having trouble getting an orgasm
Absence of fantasies regarding sex
Decreased arousal and desire for sexual activity
Loss of desire for solitary sexual behaviors like masturbating
Symptom-related difficulty establishing or sustaining romantic or sexual relationships
Again, unless it’s causing you grief, there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with having little or no sex urge. According to this perspective, there are several reasons why a person with ADHD could have hyposexuality, HSDD, or low sex drive. For starters, it may be challenging to concentrate and feel present during sexual activities if you suffer from ADHD symptoms like inattention and difficulties concentrating. These issues not only interfere with sexual engagement but also have the potential to undermine one’s self-esteem and increase the difficulty of engaging in sexual activity in the future. Antidepressants are among the drugs that are occasionally recommended for ADHD but may also negatively affect sexual function.
Advice on minimizing the possible effects of ADHD on sexuality
There are a few various ways you might attempt to assist control the affects of ADHD if you feel it’s badly affecting your sex life, sexual health, or sex drive. If you are an ADHD symptom and exhibit impulsivity, it may be beneficial to take proactive steps to ensure your own sexual safety. One way to prevent making snap decisions you could come to regret is to establish a boundary with someone about how long you want to spend getting to know them before participating in sexual activity. Then, you can communicate this barrier.
Talk to your partner or partners.
In certain situations, discussing sexual issues with your partner(s) can help them become better. Just admitting, for instance, that you occasionally get sidetracked during sex or struggle to perform because of medicine or symptoms, could ease some of the burden. Asking your partner to assist you in feeling comfortable or staying present could also make the experience better.
Engage in regular exercise
Healthy behaviors like exercise may improve one’s ability to perform sexually. For instance, evidence from studies points to a potential link between regular exercise and sexual health. In many circumstances, it’s even advised that people who struggle with sexual dysfunction think about making regular exercise a part of their routine to help them operate better in this area.
Make time to sleep.
Having enough sleep may also improve a person’s ability to have sexual relations. The Sleep Foundation states that erectile dysfunction and decreased sexual arousal and desire may be linked to sleep loss. Inadequate sleep can also have a detrimental effect on a person’s mental health, making it harder for them to handle stress and have fulfilling relationships with others or engage in physical intimacy.
Consult a therapist
A mental health specialist can be a great help to those who need help managing their ADHD symptoms, especially those that affect their ability to have sex. Therapists can assist their clients in understanding how ADHD may affect many aspects of their sexual lives and provide strategies for resolving these issues, such as learning how to correct skewed thinking or improve stress management.