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Cited by 55Sexuality, Behavior, and TechnologySexual function and dysfunction studiesImpact of Technology on Adolescents

Associations between online pornography consumption and sexual dysfunction in young men: multivariate analysis based on an international web-based survey

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Jacobs, Tim, Geysemans, Björn, Van Hal, Guido, Glazemakers, Inge, Fog-Poulsen, Kristian, Vermandel, Alexandra, De Wachter, Stefan, De Win, Gunter·2021·JMIR Public Health and Surveillance
DOI 10.2196/32542PMC PMC8569536

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Expanding access to the internet has resulted in more and earlier consumption of online pornography. At the same time, a higher prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) among young men is seen. Increased pornography consumption has been suggested as a possible explanation for this rise. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to better understand associations between problematic pornography consumption (PPC) and ED. METHODS: A 118-item survey was published online, and data collection took place between April 2019 and May 2020. Of the 5770 men who responded, the responses from 3419 men between 18 years old and 35 years old were analyzed. The survey used validated questionnaires such as the Cyber Pornography Addiction Test (CYPAT), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise (AUDIT-C). The estimated amount of porn watching was calculated. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed. For the multivariable analysis, a logistic regression model using a directed acyclic graph was used. RESULTS: According to their IIEF-5 scores, 21.48% (444/2067) of our sexually active participants (ie, those who attempted penetrative sex in the previous 4 weeks) had some degree of ED. Higher CYPAT scores indicating problematic online pornography consumption resulted in a higher probability of ED, while controlling for covariates. Masturbation frequency seemed not to be a significant factor when assessing ED. CONCLUSIONS: This prevalence of ED in young men is alarmingly high, and the results of this study suggest a significant association with PPC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Research Registry researchregistry5111; https://tinyurl.com/m45mcaa2.

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  • Erectile dysfunction can be a consequence of sexually-addictive activity.

    “Other evidence suggests that erectile dysfunction can be a consequence of sexually-addictive activity (Jacobs et al., 2021).”

    From A motivation model of sex addiction – Relevance to the controversy over the concept (2022) · cites this paper as Jacobs et al., 2021

    The Results report an association between problematic pornography consumption and erectile dysfunction, and the Discussion (Strengths and Limitations; page unavailable) suggests a possible causal association while saying causation is not established. The claim extends this finding to sexually-addictive activity generally, although the Discussion (Principal Findings; page unavailable) says the existence of “porn addiction” is disputed. (LLM, conf=0.85)

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. [10]Janssen E Bancroft J Janssen E The dual control model: The role of sexual inhibition and excitation in sexual arousal and behavior The psychophysiology of sex 2007 Bloomington, IN Indiana University Press 197 222
  2. [34]Cacioppo M Gori A Schimmenti A Baiocco R Laghi F Caretti V Development of a new screening tool for cyber pornography: Psychometric properties of the cyber pornography addiction test (CYPAT) Clinical Neuropsychiatry 02/01 2018 15 5 10.1037/t66951-000 · DOI
  3. [49]The 2019 Year in Review Pornhub 2019 12 11 2021-10-10 https://www.pornhub.com/insights/2019-year-in-review#traffic

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Authors
Jacobs, T., Geysemans, B., Van Hal, G., Glazemakers, I., Fog-Poulsen, K., Vermandel, A., De Wachter, S., & De Win, G.
Affiliations
  • University of Antwerp (BE)
  • Regional Hospital Holstebro (DK)
ORCID
Venue
JMIR Public Health and Surveillance
Publisher
JMIR Publications Inc.
Published
2021-10-21
Volume
7
Issue
10
Pages
e32542
ISSN
2369-2960 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.2196/32542
PMC
PMC8569536
OpenAlex
W3201525988
Cited by
55
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 7
FWCI
4.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
Keywords
problematic pornography use, erectile dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, young men, IIEF-5, masturbation frequency, internet addiction, alcohol consumption
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Erotica, Humans, Erectile Dysfunction, Male, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sexual Behavior, Multivariate Analysis, Internet, Young Adult

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