Porn use and men's and women's sexual performance: evidence from a large longitudinal sample

Background We examined whether young men and women differ in the relation between porn use and sexual performance (sexual self-competence, sexual functioning, and partner-reported sexual satisfaction). Methods We conducted a three-wave longitudinal study (spanning 2015-16-17) that involved a very large number of men and women in their early 20s (100 000 + French-speaking individuals; 4000 + heterosexual couples). Results The results revealed a twofold phenomenon. Among men, a higher frequency of porn use (wave 1) and increased porn use over time (waves 1-3) were associated with lower levels of sexual self-competence, impaired sexual functioning, and decreased partner-reported sexual satisfaction. In contrast, among women, higher and increasing frequencies of porn use were associated with higher levels of sexual self-competence, improved sexual functioning, and enhanced partner-reported sexual satisfaction (for some aspects). Conclusions The findings reveal the irony that porn - a male-dominated industry that targets a male-dominated audience - is associated with the erosion of the quality of men's sex lives and the improvement of women's sex lives.

Automated summary

This study found gender differences in the relationship between porn use and sexual performance. For men, frequent porn use was associated with lower sexual self-competence, impaired sexual functioning, and decreased sexual satisfaction. In contrast, for women, frequent porn use was associated with higher sexual self-competence, improved sexual functioning, and enhanced sexual satisfaction.