Could my wife be a sex addict?

When we hear the term “sex addict” it’s almost always a man that comes to mind, but the reality is that women, too, can have compulsive sexual behaviors. For some women, these behaviors may not be as overt as for male sex addicts, but their actions may be just as disastrous for a marriage, leading many couples dealing with sex addiction to seeking help and/or considering divorce.

Female Sex Addict Behavior

Female sex addicts may exhibit the same activities as their male counterparts such as: 

• compulsive viewing of pornography;
• masturbation; and
• objectification of partners.

Some argue that some female sex addicts may be seeking love and affection and use sex as a means of achieving that feeling. Whatever the type of behavior, there are rehabilitation treatment programs for sexual addiction if the sufferer seeks help, but many women feel embarrassed by their behavior and may hide it from their spouses and friends for years.

Treatment may consist of: 

• addiction support groups;
• one-on-one therapy; and/or
• a program similar to other 12-step programs for addiction recovery.

Divorce and Female Sex Addiction

Some men who discover their wives are sexual addicts may feel conflicted. They may feel that they should offer to help them find help, while they may also feel betrayed and angry, such as if their wifes committed adultery. Some men may choose to go to couples therapy sessions, while others may talk to a therapist on their own. Meanwhile, others simply pursue divorce.

The decision is one only you can make. Some men choose to talk to an attorney so they are aware of their legal rights and understand exactly what ending the marriage may entail. A divorce attorney can consult with men who are considering divorce or who are ready to start the process as a result of their wife’s sexual addiction.