What is Porn Addiction?

Pornography addiction refers to a compulsive and problematic pattern of consuming pornography that leads to negative consequences in an individual’s life. While pornography use may be part of other compulsive behavior or addictive behaviors, it can also develop into its own out-of-control sexual behavior with its own negative consequences to one’s physical, mental, social, or financial well-being.

It is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to seek out and view pornography, resulting in significant distress, impairment in functioning, excessive time spent viewing pornography instead of interacting with others, and the facilitation of procrastination. Individuals may report depression, social isolation, career loss, decreased productivity, or financial consequences as a result of their excessive Internet pornography viewing impeding their social lives.

How Common is Porn Addiction?

Pornography addiction is relatively common, with studies showing that a notable percentage of people experience problematic use. A study conducted by Aleksandra D. Dwulit and Piotr Rzymski, published in 2019 in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, found that 12.2% of Polish university students met the criteria for problematic pornography use. Gender differences were evident, with males more likely to report problematic use compared to females.

In terms of frequency, 51% of males and 93% of females reported viewing pornography less than once per week. Additionally, 10.7% of all participants considered themselves addicted to pornography. Factors associated with problematic use included lower self-esteem, religious practices, and relationship status.

How Does Pornography Addiction Affect Your Physical Health?

Pornography addiction affects physical health by potentially causing sexual dysfunction issues like erectile problems or delayed ejaculation, contributing to sleep disturbances due to late-night viewing habits, increasing the risk of repetitive strain injuries from excessive masturbation, and, in some cases, leading to physical injuries from attempting to replicate extreme acts seen in pornographic content.

According to a study by Brian Y. Park, Gary Wilson, Jonathan Berger, Matthew Christman, Bryn Reina, Frank Bishop, Warren P. Klam, and Andrew P. Doan, published in 2016 in the journal Behavioral Sciences, the following key points highlight the potential physical health effects of problematic internet pornography use:

• Delayed ejaculation
• Erectile dysfunction, sometimes referred to as “Porn Induced Erectile Dysfunction”
• Decreased sexual satisfaction with real partners
• Neuroplastic changes: changes alter the brain’s response to sexual stimuli, making it harder to achieve arousal without pornography.
• Emotional Disorders: Pornography use can lead to or exacerbate depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.