People are always curious about whether porn is good or bad. But just like anything else within the field of sexuality, it’s not that simplistic. There are warring ideas between the fields of sex therapy and sex addiction because porn affects our clients very differently. But what does the science say about how pornography consumptions affect sexual pleasure?
There’s a lot of disagreement about whether porn is good, especially for women. Some believe it is a platform where women have been able to take back their sexual agency and put their desires at the forefront. Yet others are sure it is a regressive media that holds women hostage to old-fashioned stereotypes. This debate is decades old, and people still disagree on the role porn should play in our society.
Defining Porn
One of the things that makes pornography so tricky to research is that it doesn’t have a completely agreed-upon definition. What may count as pornography to some people may be art to others. Some sex scenes in movies push the line between what is entertainment and what is pornography, and many people use a Victoria’s Secret catalog as pornography, even though most people wouldn’t consider it porn. However, when talking about porn, most people mean material that is made for masturbatory purposes and has graphic sex as its main draw.
Shame Around Porn
We grow up hearing a lot of messages about how pornography is dirty and wrong. Many people feel sexual shame about their pornography use well into adulthood because they haven’t intentionally replaced this internal messaging with healthier, more sex-positive ideas. If you struggle with guilt about your pornography use, know that you’re not alone. A lot of people feel this way, and you can work through it by consciously disregarding the messages that no longer serve you or align with your beliefs.
Researching Porn
Unfortunately, human sexuality as a field is underfunded overall. Further, there aren’t a lot of studies on whether porn contributes to greater sexual pleasure and health. And most of the current studies are centered around whether porn is addictive or otherwise detrimental and how it affects monogamous relationships. More data on how pornographic material affects individuals and whether it increases or decreases overall sexual pleasure is necessary to better understand the issue. On the bright side, some researchers have begun studying this; to learn more, check out my podcast episode where I interview researchers who worked on this topic.
The Positives of Porn
The truth is that, used in moderation, porn can complement a healthy sex life. The key to using porn positively is to realize that it is entertainment—not education. Porn is made by actors, and often the orgasms women have are for show. But porn can help people feel more secure in their sexual identity, especially if they belong to a minority, like LGBTQ+ folks, people who are into BDSM, or anyone with a niche interest or fetish. It can also be a good place to get ideas for what you’d like to incorporate into your future sex life.
Further, porn can help you learn about yourself. If you can think of the themes that turn you on when you watch porn, you’ll have a lot of good information about how your arousal works and what brings you to climax. This knowledge can be helpful for your sex life and your self-awareness. Be mindful that you might like to explore certain fantasies only through porn and that you may not be interested in trying out everything you see in real life..
One last key to using pornography ethically is to pay for it! Sex work is work, and the people who are professionals should be compensated accordingly.
If you’re concerned about your porn use, it’s always a good idea to check in with a therapist. Contact me for a free consultation today!
Bio: Dr. Nazanin Moali is a clinical psychologist and sex therapist in the Los Angeles area. She works with various individuals to understand and improve their sexuality. Dr. Moali conducts personal consultation sessions in her Torrance and Hermosa Beach offices, or via a secure, online video-counseling platform. Click here to take the sex quiz for women.