Why Am I So Horny? 9 Causes Of High Libido & What To Do 

While low libido is a cause for concern for many people, others may wonder why their libido is always so high. Overall, libido is an incredibly individual feeling, and there's no such thing as being "too horny."

There's nothing wrong with frequently feeling horny. In fact, a healthy sex drive and sex life are important for overall health and quality of life1. "Sexuality is normal and healthy, and having sex in any amount is a positive contributor to both mental and physical health," Stray Conger says.

Some people will naturally have a higher sex drive than others, which is only a problem if it's distracting or disruptive for the particular individual experiencing it.

"Being too horny is a thing when it becomes a problem for you and causes difficulties in your life," clinical sexologist and sex therapist Cyndi Darnell tells mbg. 

When thinking about hormones and sex drive, testosterone often comes to mind. Indeed, testosterone2 is linked to sexual functioning and arousal across genders, and when your testosterone is high, your libido may be higher too.

Lots of lifestyle factors and bodily processes are associated with increases in testosterone, such as regular exercise3, ovulation, or hitting puberty4, among many others.

While testosterone is linked to libido, naturopathic doctor and sexologist Jordin Wiggins, N.D., says it's more nuanced than that. Both estrogen and progesterone also affect libido. "Estrogen is more clearly linked with physiological arousal (blood flow to the genitals, vaginal lubrication)," certified relationship and sex therapist Indigo Stray Conger, LMFT, CST, tells mbg.

Beyond that, Wiggins says it's also important to look at the hormones that contribute to pleasure, connection, and arousal, like dopamine and oxytocin.

Certain foods, sometimes labeled aphrodisiacs, are believed to increase libido in some people. According to osteopathic OB/GYN Anna Cabeca, D.O., both chocolate and cheese contain a substance called phenylethylamine6 (PEA).

The substance is a "natural amphetamine manufactured by the brain in response to the feeling of love," she says. "And PEA is believed to be responsible for that hormonal rush during sex."

In general, many people find that alcohol can make them feel more horny. That said, the relationship between alcohol and sex drive is complicated.

A 1995 review7 published in the journal Recent Developments in Alcoholism says, "Alcohol consumption increases subjective sexual desire, arousal, and pleasure for many women, although it lowers physiological arousal."

This may be because alcohol increases testosterone in people with vaginas but then decreases genital responsiveness8, making it more difficult to orgasm. 

Masturbating frequently can both directly and indirectly increase libido. "When we ignore our body's drive and arousal cues for too long through distraction, stress, or lack of a partner, those cues begin to go dormant," Stray Conger explains.

So, the more someone engages in sexual activity of any kind, including masturbation, the easier it is to become physiologically aroused.  

More directly, Wiggins says, "It can also increase the release of hormones, like dopamine and testosterone." And while masturbating is often a solo sport, it can also help to increase pleasure with a partner.

If you've ever felt horny before or during your period, you're not alone. The hormonal fluctuations that occur throughout the menstrual cycle can both increase and decrease libido.

Reproductive endocrinologist Sheeva Talebian, M.D., explains that both testosterone and estrogen peak during ovulation (about 14 days before the period), and the influx of both hormones tends to heighten sex drive. 

During the period, OB/GYN and integrative women's health expert Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, M.D., says there is an increase in blood flow to the pelvic and genital regions.

There are a couple of factors that could increase sexual arousal during pregnancy. "All that estrogen in women's bodies can improve their sex drive," functional medicine doctor and OB/GYN Wendie Trubow, M.D., says. "Additionally, there's a lot more blood flow going to the genital areas, which increases and improves sensation." According to her, all of these feelings are "totally normal and good!"

Unless a doctor or OB/GYN advises against sex and orgasms while pregnant, it's perfectly safe to engage. If sex becomes uncomfortable further into your pregnancy, you may need to try a different position.

For people with vaginas, a full bladder could potentially make you feel horny.

Because the clitoris, vagina, and urethra are all so close to one another, a full bladder can put pressure on the genitals and stimulate arousal.

Some studies have pointed toward a drop in male testosterone (and therefore libido) in the summer9 and a subsequent peak in the fall10, drawing a connection between sex drive and seasonal changes. 

Changes in mood triggered by seasonal changes can also affect sex drive. "If you are someone who has seasonal depression, you may also notice a drop in libido during these times," Wiggins says. "Women with low sexual desire are far more likely to experience symptoms of depression11 than women who do not have low sexual desire, highlighting how closely linked mental health and libido really are," she says. 

There are plenty of situational factors that can cause someone to feel horny. "What's really important to understand about female desire in most cases is that it isn't usually spontaneous," certified sex coach Gigi Engle tells mbg. "Sexual desire is a bio-psychosocial event. Meaning, for desire to occur, we need the right number of factors to be in play."

Hypersexuality12 has been defined in research as the "inability to regulate one's sexual behavior that is a source of significant personal distress," though the concept is hotly debated among experts.

Not all experts agree that it's a real condition, and it is not recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Likewise, the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists states that there's not enough empirical evidence to support the existence of "sex addiction."

All that said, if your experiences around sexuality and desire feel distressing or out of control, it's worth reaching out to a sex therapist or other sexuality professional for support.

One of the easiest ways to get your sexual energy out is through masturbation. "Somatic techniques and mindful masturbation are a great way to energize the body and release stored erotic energy," Darnell says. "Tantric practices can also be helpful, moving sexual energy around the body to use in other ways."

Mindfulness meditations are meant to help people connect with their breath and focus on the present moment.

This technique has often been used to help treat addiction and in that same sense may help with compulsive sexual behaviors 15if they begin to interfere with your daily life.

If feeling horny begins interfering with work, relationships, or other areas of life, or if it feels significantly distressing to you, reach out to a reputable sexuality professional such as a sex therapist.

It may also be important to get help if you're engaging in risky sexual behaviors that could have a potentially damaging impact on your health, Stray Conger adds.

One of the biggest hang-ups for people who feel horny often is shame. According to Megwyn White, certified clinical sexologist and director of education at Satisfyer, this shame is often due to a stigma around the topic of sexuality and masturbation.

There are plenty of everyday factors that can make you feel hornier than normal. Some of them can be controlled, like what we eat and how often we masturbate. Others, like our hormonal fluctuations or the change in seasons, are inevitable.

"It's important to recognize that it's totally normal when you feel horny," White says, noting that feeling horny is just your body sending you a message about what it wants and what feels good.