Question

Am I addicted to sex since my diagnosis?

6 July 2011. Related: All topics, HIV transmission, Support.

I tested positive in December. My CD4 is 600 and I am in South Africa. Ever since then, i love sex too much. I still use protection but is it normal to be addicted?

Please help. Thank you

Answer

Answer: Simon Collins

Sex is an important part of most peoples lives but how much sex you want is individual. Different people have different sex drives.

If your desire for sex has increased since your HIV diagnosis, this may be a reaction to hearing that result. HIV treatment should mean you have a long and hopefully normal lifespan, Even knowing this though the shock of realising your own mortality could be behind this new energy and drive.

So long as you protect your partners, you can have as much sex as you want. You might also wonder if the additional sex is a way of coping and not having to think about HIV though.

Addiction is a complicated term, but it usually refers to a drive for an activity that then dominates other aspects of your life in an unhealthy way. For example if the activity stops you doing other things that are important like eating well, exercise, focussing on your work, seeing friends and family etc.

If your recent sex drive is dominating your life over everything else, then perhaps speak to a health advisor or counsellor about this in relation to your diagnosis. You have only been dealing with this for 6 months and will still be in shock.

If it is just that you like sex and your diagnosis has helped you to realise this aspect of your life, then enjoy this. Because you are now HIV positive you need to protect your partners from the risk of infection.

The i-Base guide to side effects includes a section on sexual health. This is mainly about reduced sex drive.
https://i-base.info/guides/side/sexual-health