Whether you’re a fan of internet pornography (IP) or not, you’ve probably heard the age-old debate: is watching porn bad for you? Even the most dedicated connoisseurs of IP might do so with the nagging feeling that their habit isn’t exactly healthy—kind of like overeating or binge drinking. Some men experiencing sexual dysfunction even start to blame their porn habits for their issues, leading them to wonder if they’re dealing with internet porn addiction.

In September 2021, a study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine examined the potential links between IP and sexual dysfunction. Researchers Georgina Whelan and Jac Brown wanted to explore whether there was an association between IP use, self-perceived porn addiction symptoms, erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), and sexual satisfaction (SS) in men aged 18 to 44.

The results? Let’s just say they challenge some long-held beliefs about the effects of pornography and the psychological effects of porn.

This may come as a shock, but there is no solid consensus in the scientific community about what constitutes porn addiction. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is considered the gold standard for diagnosing mental health disorders, does not recognize porn addiction as a legitimate disorder. In other words, porn addiction counseling and porn addiction therapy aren’t based on a formal diagnosis, but rather on subjective experiences.

Most cases of "porn addiction" aren’t backed by empirical evidence but are instead self-reported. Many studies linking porn addiction to sexual dysfunction rely on case studies, self-reported data, or qualitative analysis rather than rigorous scientific methods.

But wait—what about Kanye West, Charlie Sheen, and Terry Crews? They’ve all publicly discussed their struggles with overcoming porn addiction. John Mayer once told Playboy that "There have probably been days when I saw 300 vaginas before I got out of bed." If watching porn is negatively impacting your life, there might be a problem. But if you’re simply looking for something to blame, it might be worth stepping back and taking a scientific approach.

The researchers set out to answer three key questions:

1. Is there an association between IP and ED, PE, and SS?
2. Is there an association between self-perceived porn addiction and these sexual dysfunctions?
3. Can IP use or self-perceived IP addiction predict ED, PE, and SS in men aged 18 to 44?

After studying 942 men, the results were surprising: no evidence was found linking IP consumption to erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or lack of sexual satisfaction. However, men who believed they had a porn addiction did experience higher rates of these sexual dysfunctions.

Translation? Watching porn isn’t the culprit— thinking you have a porn addiction may be more closely linked to sexual dysfunction than porn consumption itself. This highlights the need for better porn addiction support and therapy approaches that address psychological factors rather than blaming porn outright.

What does this mean for the average Joe and his favorite incognito browser tab? If you’ve been blaming porn for your sexual dysfunction, it may be time to give yourself a break. The research so far suggests that porn consumption impact isn’t as detrimental as many fear—at least, not in terms of physical sexual dysfunction.

However, self-perceived porn addiction is correlated with negative sexual outcomes, meaning that feelings of guilt and shame around porn consumption could play a major role in issues like ED and PE. While more research is needed, it’s possible that men experiencing sexual dysfunction are more likely to consume porn as a coping mechanism rather than porn itself causing the dysfunction.

If you feel like porn is interfering with your daily life, relationships, or self-esteem, porn addiction recovery and treatment options like therapy or behavioral counseling could be helpful. But if porn is just a part of your healthy sex life, there’s no need to panic.

Like most things in life, balance is key. If your porn habits feel out of control or you’re experiencing distress about them, seeking porn addiction help from a qualified therapist may be a good idea. But if you enjoy a little screen time in your alone time and it’s not negatively impacting your sex life, you’re probably fine.

And hey, if you’re dealing with sexual dysfunction—regardless of whether porn is involved—Popstar’s Supplement and Personal Lubricants are here to support your performance and pleasure. Because science-backed solutions are always sexier than self-blame.

1. PubMed Study

2. Wikipedia: Pornography Addiction

3. NY Daily News: Celebrities Addicted to Porn