Skip to content
  • Mental Health Issues
    • Anxiety
    • ADHD
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Depression
    • Grief
    • Narcissism
    • OCD
    • Personality Disorders
    • PTSD
  • Relationships
    • Dating
    • Marriage
    • Sex & Intimacy
    • Infidelity
    • Relationships 101
    • Best Online Couples Counseling Services
  • Wellness
    • Anger
    • Burnout
    • Stress
    • Sleep
    • Meditation
    • Mindfulness
    • Yoga
  • Therapy
    • Starting Therapy
    • Types of Therapy
    • Best Online Therapy Providers
    • Online Therapy Reviews & Guides
  • Medication
    • Anxiety Medication
    • Depression Medication
    • ADHD Medication
    • Best Online Psychiatrist Options
  • Reviews
    • Best Online Therapy
    • Best Online Therapy with Insurance
    • Best Online Therapy for Teens
    • Best Online Therapy for Anxiety
    • Best Online Therapy for Depression
    • Best Online ADHD Treatments
    • Best Online Psychiatry
    • Best Mental Health Apps
    • All Reviews
  • Therapy Worksheets
    • Anxiety Worksheets
    • Depression Worksheets
    • Relationship Worksheets
    • CBT Worksheets
    • Therapy Worksheets for Kids
    • Therapy Worksheets for Teens
    • All Therapy Worksheets
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Find a Local Therapist
    • Join Our Free Directory

Join our Newsletter

Get helpful tips and the latest information

Choosing Therapy on Facebook
Choosing Therapy on Instagram
Choosing Therapy on Twitter
Choosing Therapy on Linkedin
Choosing Therapy on Pinterest
Choosing Therapy on Tiktok
Choosing Therapy on Youtube
ChoosingTherapy.com Logo

Newsletter

Search Icon
  • Mental Health Issues
    • Anxiety
    • ADHD
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Depression
    • Grief
    • Narcissism
    • OCD
    • Personality Disorders
    • PTSD
  • Relationships
    • Dating
    • Marriage
    • Sex & Intimacy
    • Infidelity
    • Relationships 101
    • Best Online Couples Counseling Services
  • Wellness
    • Anger
    • Burnout
    • Stress
    • Sleep
    • Meditation
    • Mindfulness
    • Yoga
  • Therapy
    • Starting Therapy
    • Types of Therapy
    • Best Online Therapy Providers
    • Online Therapy Reviews & Guides
  • Medication
    • Anxiety Medication
    • Depression Medication
    • ADHD Medication
    • Best Online Psychiatrist Options
  • Reviews
    • Best Online Therapy
    • Best Online Therapy with Insurance
    • Best Online Therapy for Teens
    • Best Online Therapy for Anxiety
    • Best Online Therapy for Depression
    • Best Online ADHD Treatments
    • Best Online Psychiatry
    • Best Mental Health Apps
    • All Reviews
  • Therapy Worksheets
    • Anxiety Worksheets
    • Depression Worksheets
    • Relationship Worksheets
    • CBT Worksheets
    • Therapy Worksheets for Kids
    • Therapy Worksheets for Teens
    • All Therapy Worksheets
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Find a Local Therapist
    • Join Our Free Directory
  • Does Porn Cause DepressionDoes Porn Cause Depression
  • The ScienceThe Science
  • Compulsive Porn UseCompulsive Porn Use
  • Solo Vs. PartneredSolo Vs. Partnered
  • Do Depressed People Watch More Porn?Do Depressed People Watch More Porn?
  • Men Vs. WomenMen Vs. Women
  • Recognizing a ProblemRecognizing a Problem
  • TherapyTherapy
  • ConclusionConclusion
  • InfographicsInfographics
  • Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources
Depression Articles Depression Depression Treatments Types of Depression Online Therapy for Depression

Pornography & Depression: Exploring the Connection

Headshot of Krista Jordan Remington, PhD

Author: Krista Jordan, PhD

Headshot of Krista Jordan Remington, PhD

Krista Jordan PhD

Dr. Jordan specializes in attachment-based therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and interpersonal neurobiology, with a focus on relationship issues, self-esteem, and family dynamics. She’s an educator and consultant in her field.

See My Bio Editorial Policy
Headshot of Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP

Medical Reviewer: Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP Licensed medical reviewer

Published: March 29, 2023
  • Does Porn Cause DepressionDoes Porn Cause Depression
  • The ScienceThe Science
  • Compulsive Porn UseCompulsive Porn Use
  • Solo Vs. PartneredSolo Vs. Partnered
  • Do Depressed People Watch More Porn?Do Depressed People Watch More Porn?
  • Men Vs. WomenMen Vs. Women
  • Recognizing a ProblemRecognizing a Problem
  • TherapyTherapy
  • ConclusionConclusion
  • InfographicsInfographics
  • Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources

The relationship between pornography and depression is complex, because pornography usage can vary widely in terms of how often it’s consumed and how the consumer feels about their usage. The mental health research isn’t clear about if pornography is inherently bad—though people in different cultures and religions have strong opinions.

ADVERTISEMENT

Would You Like Help Breaking Your Porn Addiction?

Is porn addiction negatively impacting your life and relationships? A therapist can help you break unhealthy habits and form healthier ones. BetterHelp has over 30,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. Take a free assessment

Free Assessment

Does Porn Cause Depression?

Asking is porn bad for you or if it causes depression is too simplistic. A better way to think of it is, “In what circumstances might pornography be associated with depression?” Pornography can cause conflicting and painful feelings if it’s out of alignment with your value system.1 This is because when we hold two things in conflict (like using pornography but being with a partner who doesn’t approve of it), we experience uncomfortable emotions.

Cognitive Dissonance

If we can’t resolve this conflict, for example by stopping our porn use or finding a different partner, we are going to be stuck in a loop of “cognitive dissonance.” Cognitive dissonance is known to activate brain regions associated with anger and the potential for depression.2,3

Often, when we feel cognitive dissonance we have to re-evaluate our belief system. For example, if my partner tells me that pornography is unacceptable and we also have an agreement to be honest in our relationship, I may decide that I don’t need to be honest about this particular thing with my partner.

This allows me to still be in the relationship but feel less conflict. I may also tell myself “my partner’s expectations are unrealistic, as most people use porn.” This resolves the dissonance. However, for some people, dishonesty can be a breeding ground for feelings of depression over time.

Context Matters

If someone feels badly about their porn usage, it can undermine self-esteem and cause feelings of guilt or shame. If someone’s partner disagrees about the use of pornography, it can cause relationship strife. If pornography is viewed excessively it can lead to porn addiction. Those situations can lead to depression. It’s unclear if porn use that doesn’t fall into those categories is likely to lead to mental health issues.

The Science On Pornography & Depression

Several studies on young adults have shown a “potential link between pornography use and decreased mental well-being” in adolescents,4 as well as “lower psychosocial functioning in university students who reported higher levels of internet pornography addiction behaviors.“5

One study looking at over 1,000 university students found that compulsive internet pornography usage was correlated with “extremely severe levels of depression, anxiety and stress” in both sexes.6 In this study, as self-identified compulsive pornography usage increased, so did negative emotional states. Some of these studies specifically identified depression and some looked at more global measures of mental health.

Researchers looking at the broad field of Internet Pornography (IP) literature found that “the effects of IP use are widespread and are both negative (in sectors like relationship and interpersonal distress) and positive (increases in sexual knowledge and attitudes toward sex).”7

It’s unclear whether there are more risks or rewards involved in the use of pornography. However the fact that a number of studies have found negative correlates of pornography may be a reason to be thoughtful about one’s consumption.

Part of the difficulty in studying the relationship between pornography and depression is that not all studies distinguish average use from compulsive use. Studies that do make this distinction seem to find that compulsive use is the thing that is associated with higher levels of depression.6

The Science On Compulsive Pornography Use

One study found that, “On a group level, patients with Chronic Pornography Usage had more depressive symptoms.”4 While it’s possible these people struggled with depression symptoms before they became compulsive pornography users, it’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg phenomenon. Arguments for people turning to porn to alleviate depression include the fact that pornography viewing can stimulate dopamine production, which may help temporarily alleviate feelings of depression.

In the search for what circumstances of pornography usage are associated with depression, the debate about whether one can be addicted to pornography tends to emerge. Pornography addiction is not yet an accepted diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition (DSM-V). One reason is that the assertion that pornography is neurologically and biochemically similar to other addictions is also still under study.

Some researchers have failed to find any differences in the dopamine systems of male compulsive porn users vs. non-compulsive users.8 This is important because dopamine alterations are found in “dopamine receptor availability in the striatum [brain area] in subjects addicted to substances including cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol and heroin.”9,10,11,12

That same study failed to find any differences in the level of activation of the frontal cortex, another proposed mechanism in behavioral addictions.4 Some researchers argue that no one is actually addicted to pornography according to neurochemical models of addiction.

Unfortunately, in science the lack of a finding sometimes simply means that the researchers haven’t figured out where to look or how to look. There have been some studies that have found brain differences in other behavioral addictions such as compulsive eating and compulsive internet use.13,14

Therapists who work with compulsive pornography users can attest that, at least on some levels, clinically the behavior looks similar to other addictions despite a lack of proof that the neurochemistry is identical. From a therapist’s perspective the more out of control a person feels about their pornography use the more likely it is that they will feel depressed.

ADVERTISEMENT

Would You Like Help Breaking Your Porn Addiction?

BetterHelp (online therapy) – Would you like to spend less time on cybersex? A therapist can help you break bad habits and form healthier ones. BetterHelp has over 30,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $65 per week and is FSA/HSA eligible by most providers. Take a free assessment

Solo Vs. Partnered Porn Use

Other ways that pornography may contribute to depression include that it is usually a solitary activity. One of the things that can predispose a person to depression is loneliness or lack of social connection. If one is spending considerable time alone consuming pornography (as is the case in compulsive use), it may eclipse spending time with others in social settings, which could create a vulnerability to developing depression.15,16

In fact, one motivation for leaving the house and finding other people to socialize with is the drive to mate. Our sexual urges are designed to push us out into the social sphere. Since we can satisfy our sexual urges at home without having to leave our bedroom, it may reduce opportunities to socialize and create relationships, which can have a downstream effect of increasing our risks for depression.

In addition to its possible relationship to depression, pornography can also be used to distract us from painful feelings like loneliness, boredom, or anxiety.

Do People With Depression Watch More Porn?

Studies show that 50-90% of all depressed individuals have less interest in sex, so it seems more likely that over-utilization of porn leads to depression.21,22 Someone who is truly depressed is less likely to be interested in pornography. However, everyone is unique and for some people, mild depression may prompt them to try to use porn as a “pick-me-up.”

Overall, the relationship between non-compulsive pornography usage and depression seems unclear and possibly weak, with the more robust finding being an association between compulsive use and depression. Like sugar, alcohol, or fast food, pornography usage may be something that people need to keep an eye on to avoid entering more troubled waters.

Whether you start off depressed and then use more porn, or the other way around, the important thing is to acknowledge when things aren’t going well and consider getting help.

Men Vs. Women & Porn Use

Gender influences pornography usage, with more males being introduced to porn earlier and using it more frequently.6 Males also use more internet porn vs. women, and while the majority of porn that women consume is internet-based, they also use other forms such as erotica more frequently than men.6 Women are also more likely to engage with pornography alongside a partner compared to males.6

One way that gender can negatively interact with pornography usage is the development of porn-induced erectile dysfunction.17,18,19 Erectile dysfunction is associated with depression and has been found to be both a precursor to, and a result of, the disorder.20 For men who use porn compulsively, it may lead to performance issues which can then lead to depression.

However, women who use pornography compulsively are not immune to possible negative effects of porn, including higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress than non-compulsive users.6 This finding was the same for men, indicating that both genders can be negatively impacted by compulsive usage.6

Knowing When You Have a Problem

Your pornography usage may be problematic if you notice that it seems to be associated with negative emotions, secretiveness, or compulsion.

Here are signs that you may have a porn problem:

  • Negative emotions such as depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, guilt, or shame
  • You are secretive about your porn usage, even with romantic partners or therapists (see ”Is Watching Porn Cheating”)
  • You use porn when you need to be doing other things like work, schoolwork, sleeping, or exercise
  • You find yourself “needing” to look at more and more extreme sex acts in order to find the same level of sexual excitement
  • You are uncomfortable with the types of porn that you find arousing because it conflicts with your values, morals, or the law
  • You are male and you have noticed increased incidences of erectile dysfunction as your porn use increases
  • You are watching porn in situations where being caught would have negative consequences (like at work, while driving, in a public place, where children could walk in, etc.)
  • You find yourself thinking obsessively about porn to the exclusion of thinking about other things like family, work, hobbies, or your friends
  • You find yourself bored during sex with a partner because it does not seem to measure up to what you see in porn videos
  • You continue to watch after telling yourself that you will figure out how to how to stop watching porn
  • You masturbate to the point of physical injury, and even when you want to stop (masturbation addiction)

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy can help with compulsive behaviors and depression by giving you a safe space to talk about your symptoms. Therapists can help you restructure your thinking, come up with behavior modification plans and stay motivated to make the changes that will lead you to feeling better.

The most important thing in getting a good outcome from therapy is “therapeutic fit,” meaning that you get along well with your therapist and feel that the relationship is compatible. It’s important to review several therapists and ask questions so that you can feel confident in your choice.

Treatment for Compulsive Porn USe

Treatment for compulsive porn usage often involves periods of refraining from watching porn and sometimes also refraining from masturbation. Online forums can help keep you motivated and accountable and often have inspiring stories from other people who have worked on the same issue.

Therapists may suggest 12-step groups that can also help with support, motivation, and accountability. Therapists can also help you find substitutes for compulsive behaviors, like hobbies, exercise, or other self-care activities and new healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress and other negative emotions.

ADVERTISEMENT

Would You Like Help Breaking Your Porn Addiction?

Is porn addiction negatively impacting your life and relationships? A therapist can help you break unhealthy habits and form healthier ones. BetterHelp has over 30,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. Take a free assessment

Free Assessment

Treatment for Depression

Depression therapy can help restructure your thinking away from depressive thoughts that can lead to a downward spiral. Your therapist may refer you to a prescriber for medications such as antidepressants that can help support the brain, making your mood more positive and stable.

Finding a Therapist

One simple way to find a therapist is to search an online therapist directory, where you can filter by expertise and insurance coverage. The good news is that therapy is effective and you can expect improvements if you stick with it.23

Final Thoughts on Pornography & Depression

While large-scale scientific studies have not conclusively or repeatedly found links between average porn usage and depression, what matters most is how you feel about your own consumption. If you are struggling and your porn usage could be contributing to (or a symptom of) depression, it’s important to reach out for help.

Pornography & Depression Infographics

Does Porn Cause Depression? Do People With Depression Watch More Porn? Knowing When You Have a Problem

Additional Resources

To help our readers take the next step in their mental health journey, ChoosingTherapy.com has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. ChoosingTherapy.com is compensated for marketing by the companies included below.

Online Therapy

BetterHelp – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. BetterHelp has over 30,000 therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $65 per week and is FSA/HSA eligible by most providers. Take a free online assessment and get matched with the right therapist for you. Free Assessment

Therapy for Depression & Medication Management

Brightside Health – If you’re struggling with depression, finding the right medication can make a difference. Brightside Health treatment plans start at $95 per month. Following a free online evaluation and receiving a prescription, you can get FDA approved medications delivered to your door. Free Assessment

Depression Newsletter

A free newsletter from the experts at ChoosingTherapy.com for those impacted by depression. Get helpful tips and the latest information. Sign Up

ChoosingTherapy.com Directory 

Find local therapists that offer online and in-person therapy. Search for therapists by specialty, experience, insurance, and location. Find a therapist near you.

For Further Reading

The following are excellent resources to support people working on compulsive sexual behavior:

  • Center for Healthy Sex in Los Angeles: About Porn Addiction
  • Your Brain on Porn: This is a terrific website full of information and resources about compulsive pornography usage
  • Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA): A free, world-wide 12-step program committed to helping people heal from compulsive sexual behaviors
  • Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA): A free, world-wide 12-step program committed to helping people heal from compulsive sexual behaviors as well as compulsive relationship behaviors

For resources on overcoming depression, you may want to consider:

  • The National Institutes for Mental Health Depression: This website contains information about the causes and symptoms of depression in the general public as well as with speciality groups like postpartum moms, children or the elderly. You can get information on treatments, medications, your eligibility for free medical care through studies, community resources and various support organizations.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255: This suicide hotline is answered 24/7 by trained volunteers who can help guide you in a time of crisis. Depression can be lethal and it is vital to reach out for help if you are starting to feel hopeless. There is help and depression can be treated.
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: SAMHSA includes information on treatment options, help finding providers who treat addiction and mental health issues and a 24-hour hotline for people in mental health or addiction crisis.

SPONSORED
Online Depression Test

Online Depression Test

A few questions from Talkiatry can help you understand your symptoms and give you a recommendation for what to do next.

Take Test
Best Online Therapy for Depression

Best Online Therapy for Depression

Depression is a very common mental health concern. To find the best online therapy for depression, we spent hundreds of hours personally using and researching over 50 platforms. Our resulting list offers options with easy access to appointments, affordable pricing, coverage for major insurance plans, and some of the best therapist availability in the industry. Read on to see our top picks for the best online therapy for depression.

Read more
Best Online Psychiatry Services

Best Online Psychiatry Services

Online psychiatry, sometimes called telepsychiatry, platforms offer medication management by phone, video, or secure messaging for a variety of mental health conditions. In some cases, online psychiatry may be more affordable than seeing an in-person provider. Mental health treatment has expanded to include many online psychiatry and therapy services. With so many choices, it can feel overwhelming to find the one that is right for you.

Read more

Find a therapist in your state

Get the help you need from a therapist near you

City or zip Search

California
Connecticut
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Texas
Virginia

Are you a Therapist? Get Listed Today

Depression Newsletter

A free newsletter for those impacted by depression. Get helpful tips and the latest information.

Sources Update History

ChoosingTherapy.com strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • Harmon-Jones, E., & Mills, J. (2019). An introduction to cognitive dissonance theory and an overview of current perspectives on the theory. In E. Harmon-Jones (Ed.), Cognitive dissonance: Reexamining a pivotal theory in psychology (pp. 3–24). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000135-001

  • Harmon-Jones, E. (2004). Contributions from research on anger and cognitive dissonance to understanding the motivational functions of asymmetrical frontal brain activity, Biological Psychology, 67(1-2), 51-76, ISSN 0301-0511, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2004.03.003.

  • Perry. S. (2018). Pornography Use and Depressive Symptoms: Examining the Role of Moral Incongruence. Society and Mental Health, 8(3), 195-213. doi:10.1177/2156869317728373.

  • Dalby, A. R., Kohut, T., and Štulhofer, A. (2018). Is pornography use a risk for adolescent well-being? An examination of temporal relationships in two independent panel samples. PLoS One 13:e0202048. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202048

  • Harper, C., and Hodgins, D. C. (2016). Examining correlates of problematic internet pornography use among university students, Journal of Behavioral Addiction, 5, 179–191 DOI: 10.1556/2006.5.2016.022

  • Camilleri, C., Perry, J., Stephen, S. (2021). Compulsive Internet Pornography Use and Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Sample of University Students in the United States, Frontiers in Psychology, 11, https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.613244, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.613244, ISSN=1664-1078

  • Short, M., Black, L, Smith, A., Wetterneck, C. and Wells, D. (2010). A review of internet pornography use research: methodology and content from the past 10 years, Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 15, 13–23. http://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2010.0477

  • Stormezand, G., Doorduin, J., Chaves, L, Vállez García, D., Nienhuis, F., Schoevers, R., Kremer, B., Booij, J., Dierckx, R. (2021). No evidence for decreased D2/3 receptor availability and frontal hypoperfusion in subjects with compulsive pornography use, Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 311,111284, ISSN 0925-4927, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2021.111284

  • D. Martinez, A. Broft, R.W. Foltin, M. Slifstein, D.R. Hwang, Y. Huang, A. Perez, W.G. Frankle, T. Cooper, H.D. Kleber, M.W. Fischman, M. Laruelle (2004). Cocaine dependence and d2 receptor availability in the functional subdivisions of the striatum: relationship with cocaine-seeking behavior, Neuropsychopharmacology, 29, 1190-1202, DOI 10.1038/sj.npp.1300420.

  • B. Lee, E.D. London, R.A. Poldrack, J. Farahi, A. Nacca, J.R. Monterosso, J.A. Mumford, A.v Bokarius, M. Dahlbom, J. Mukherjee, R.M. Bilder, A.L. Brody, M.A. Mandelkern (2009), Striatal dopamine d2/d3 receptor availability is reduced in methamphetamine dependence and is linked to impulsivity
    Journal of Neuroscience, 29, 14734-14740, DOI 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3765-09.2009

  • N.D. Volkow, G.J. Wang, J.S. Fowler, J. Logan, R. Hitzemann, Y.S. Ding, N. Pappas, C. Shea, K. Piscani (1996), Decreases in dopamine receptors but not in dopamine transporters in alcoholics. Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research, 20, 1594-1598.

  • D. Martinez, P.A. Saccone, F. Liu, M. Slifstein, D. Orlowska, A. Grassetti, S. Cook, A. Broft, R. van Heertum, S.D. Comer (2012). Deficits in dopamine D(2) receptors and presynaptic dopamine in heroin dependence: commonalities and differences with other types of addiction, Biological Psychiatry, 71,192-198, DOI 10.1016/j.biopsych.2011.08.024

  • G.J. Wang, A. Geliebter, N.D. Volkow, F.W. Telang, J. Logan, M.C. Jayne, K. Galanti, P.A. Selig, H. Han, W. Zhu, C.T. Wong, J.S. Fowler (2011). Enhanced striatal dopamine release during food stimulation in binge eating disorder, Obesity (Silver Spring), 19, 1601-1608, DOI 10.1038/oby.2011.27.

  • S.H. Kim, S.H. Baik, C.S. Park, S.J. Kim, S.W. Choi, S.E. Kim (2011). Reduced striatal dopamine D2 receptors in people with Internet addiction, Neuroreport, 22, 407-411, DOI 10.1097/WNR.0b013e328346e16e.

  • Cacioppo JT, Hughes ME, Waite LJ, Hawkley LC, Thisted RA (2006) Loneliness as a specific risk factor for depressive symptoms: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Psychology of Aging, 21(1):140–151.

  • Cacioppo JT, Hawkley LC, Thisted RA (2010) Perceived social isolation makes me sad: 5-year cross-lagged analyses of loneliness and depressive symptomatology in the Chicago Health, Aging, and Social Relations Study. Psychology of Aging, 25(2):453–463.

  • Begovic, H. (2019). Pornography induced erectile dysfunction among young men. Dignity: A Journal on Sexual Exploitation and Violence, 4(1).

  • Park B, Wilson G, Berger J, Christman M, Reina B, Bishop F, Klam WP, Doan AP. (2016) Is Internet Pornography Causing Sexual Dysfunctions? A Review with Clinical Reports. Behavioral Sciences, 6(3):17. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs6030017

  • Mollaioli, D., Sansone, A., Romanelli, F., & Jannini, E. A. (2018) Sexual Dysfunctions in the Internet Era. Sexual Dysfunctions in Mentally Ill Patients, 163–172. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68306-5_15

  • Feldman, H., Goldstein, I., Hatzichristou, D., Krane, R., McKinlay, J (1994). Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: Results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, Journal of Urology, 151, 54-61.

  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition (DSM-V)

  • Thase, M, Reynolds, C , Jennings J, Frank E, Howell, J, Houck, P, Berman, S, Kupfer, D. (1988) Nocturnal penile tumescence is diminished in depressed men. Biological Psychiatry, 24(1):33-46. doi:
    10.1016/0006-3223(88)90119-9. PMID: 3370276.

  • Schedler, J. (2010). The efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy. American Psychologist, 65(2), 98-109. DOI: 10.1037/a0018378

Show more Click here to open the article sources container.

We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.

March 29, 2023
Author: No Change
Reviewer: No Change
Primary Changes: Updated for readability and clarity. Reviewed and added relevant resources.
June 22, 2022
Author: Krista Jordan, PhD
Reviewer: Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Show more Click here to open the article update history container.

Your Voice Matters

Can't find what you're looking for?

Request an article! Tell ChoosingTherapy.com’s editorial team what questions you have about mental health, emotional wellness, relationships, and parenting. Our licensed therapists are just waiting to cover new topics you care about!

Request an Article

Leave your feedback for our editors.

Share your feedback on this article with our editors. If there’s something we missed or something we could improve on, we’d love to hear it.

Our writers and editors love compliments, too. :)

Leave Feedback
ChoosingTherapy.com Logo White
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Careers
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

FOR IMMEDIATE HELP CALL:

Medical Emergency: 911

Suicide Hotline: 988

View More Crisis Hotlines
Choosing Therapy on Facebook
Choosing Therapy on Instagram
Choosing Therapy on X
Choosing Therapy on Linkedin
Choosing Therapy on Pinterest
Choosing Therapy on Tiktok
Choosing Therapy on Youtube

© 2025 Choosing Therapy, Inc. All rights reserved.

X