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Cited by 187Sexuality, Behavior, and TechnologySexual function and dysfunction studiesGambling Behavior and Treatments

Is internet pornography causing sexual dysfunctions? A review with clinical reports

Open access
Park, Brian, Wilson, Gary, Berger, Jonathan, Christman, Matthew, Reina, Bryn, Bishop, Frank, Klam, Warren, Doan, Andrew·2016·Behavioral Sciences
DOI 10.3390/bs6030017PMC PMC5039517
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Abstract

Traditional factors that once explained men's sexual difficulties appear insufficient to account for the sharp rise in erectile dysfunction, delayed ejaculation, decreased sexual satisfaction, and diminished libido during partnered sex in men under 40. This review (1) considers data from multiple domains, e.g., clinical, biological (addiction/urology), psychological (sexual conditioning), sociological; and (2) presents a series of clinical reports, all with the aim of proposing a possible direction for future research of this phenomenon. Alterations to the brain's motivational system are explored as a possible etiology underlying pornography-related sexual dysfunctions. This review also considers evidence that Internet pornography's unique properties (limitless novelty, potential for easy escalation to more extreme material, video format, etc.) may be potent enough to condition sexual arousal to aspects of Internet pornography use that do not readily transition to real-life partners, such that sex with desired partners may not register as meeting expectations and arousal declines. Clinical reports suggest that terminating Internet pornography use is sometimes sufficient to reverse negative effects, underscoring the need for extensive investigation using methodologies that have subjects remove the variable of Internet pornography use. In the interim, a simple diagnostic protocol for assessing patients with porn-induced sexual dysfunction is put forth.

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  • Greatly increased opportunities to engage in sexual behaviour via the Internet without leaving one's home have changed the nature of these behaviours and greatly facilitated their frequent repetition, possibly contributing to an increase in the prevalence of compulsive sexual behaviour disorder.

    “However, there is no question that greatly increased opportunities to engage in sexual behaviour via the Internet without even having to leave one's home have changed the nature of these behaviours and greatly facilitated their frequent repetition 232 , therefore possibly contributing to an increase in the prevalence of compulsive sexual behaviour disorder.”

    From Emerging experience with selected new categories in the <scp>ICD</scp>‐11: complex <scp>PTSD</scp>, prolonged grief disorder, gaming disorder, and compulsive sexual behaviour disorder (2022) · cites this paper as [232]

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  • A contrast effect is involved in pornography-related erectile dysfunction: the reaction of the dopamine system is inhibited by the failure of the real woman to match the endless novelty and availability of on-line pornographic images.

    “Park et al. (2016) suggest that a contrast effect is involved: the reaction of the dopamine system is inhibited by the failure of the real woman to match the endless novelty and availability of the on-line pornographic images.”

    From A motivation model of sex addiction – Relevance to the controversy over the concept (2022) · cites this paper as Park et al., 2016

  • Erectile capacity is maintained in the context of watching pornography, while erectile dysfunction is shown in the context of a real partner.

    “Park et al. (2016) review a number of studies showing this effect: erectile capacity maintained in the context of watching pornography, while erectile dysfunction is shown in the context of a real partner (Voon et al., 2014).”

    From A motivation model of sex addiction – Relevance to the controversy over the concept (2022) · cites this paper as Park et al., 2016

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [4]Sarracino C. Scott K.M. The Porning of America: The Rise of Porn Culture, What It Means, and Where We Go from Here Beacon Press Boston, MA, USA 2009
  2. [7]De Boer B.J. Bots M.L. Lycklama a Nijeholt A.A.B. Moors J.P.C. Pieters H.M. Verheij T.J.M. Erectile dysfunction in primary care: Prevalence and patient characteristics. The ENIGMA study Int. J. Impot. Res. 2004 16 358 364 10.1038/sj.ijir.3901155 14961062 · DOI

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Authors
Park, B., Wilson, G., Berger, J., Christman, M., Reina, B., Bishop, F., Klam, W., & Doan, A.
Affiliations
  • Flight Surgeon, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40, Norfolk, VA 34800 Bob Wilson Drive, San Diego, CA 92592, USA
  • The Reward Foundation (GB)
  • Naval Medical Center San Diego (US)
Corresponding author
Doan, Andrew
ORCID
Berger, Jonathan
Venue
Behavioral Sciences
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2016-08-05
Volume
6
Issue
3
Pages
17
ISSN
2076-328X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/bs6030017
PMC
PMC5039517
OpenAlex
W2491036077
Cited by
187
References
186
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 32 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 12 · 2015: 1
FWCI
27.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Update notices
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Behavioral Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
Keywords
online pornography, sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, delayed ejaculation, sexual arousal, sexual conditioning, male sexual health, motivation system, diagnostic protocol, sexual satisfaction, sexual desire

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