Jennifer Lopez has admitted she was a “love addict” – and says there’s nothing wrong with dating younger men.

The 45-year-old told Self magazine that she found solace from her break-ups by getting into new relationships.

“When you have that much pain, you have to anaesthetise yourself … People do different things. Some go out and party and sleep around, but that’s just not my way,” she said.

“I found the comfort in someone else. That’s called being a love addict.”

But she said that she had learnt to face her fears and spend time on her own.

J-Lo, who has had three failed marriages, most recently to Marc Anthony, added: “It took me years to get there. So first it was learning to love myself. And then it was about facing my fears.”

The singer, who recently split from 27-year-old dancer Casper Smart, added: “Enough with the cliches about women. We can date younger guys. It’s no big deal.”

She added: “Men have been doing this for years”.