Should you avoid watching pornography? | Pros & Cons of Porn

Summary

Dr. Rena Malek discusses the prevalence and impact of pornography, highlighting that up to 80% of men and 32% of women use it. She notes increased use during the pandemic and its role in sexual education. While some users report positive effects like increased sexual satisfaction, problematic use can lead to addiction, affecting 4-10% of people. Risk factors include depression, anxiety, and moral incongruence. Dr. Malek explains how porn affects dopamine levels, leading to cravings and potential real-life issues like social isolation and relationship problems. She emphasizes the importance of understanding porn's unrealistic portrayal of sex and its potential impact on younger viewers.

Takeaways

• 🚫 Dr. Rena Malek emphasizes that no one should be shamed for their sexual behaviors as long as they're not harmful.
• 🌐 Pornography is ubiquitous and can be encountered by many, potentially leading to issues for some individuals.
• 📈 Studies show that 70-80% of men and up to 32% of women have used or regularly use pornography.
• 📈 Traffic to pornography sites increased by 11% during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 👍 On the positive side, some research indicates that pornography users may have more positive attitudes towards sex and a more satisfying sex life.
• 🚫 There is no direct link between pornography consumption and increases in sexual violence, according to multiple studies.
• ⚠️ Problematic pornography use is not classified as a medical disease but is referred to as such in the medical field.
• ⚠️ Risk factors for problematic pornography use include watching more pornography, having depression or anxiety, and moral incongruence.
• 🧠 Watching pornography can lead to changes in the brain's dopamine pathways, potentially causing cravings and addictive behaviors.
• 🤔 The impact of pornography on real-life behaviors can include social isolation, financial problems, and relationship issues.
• 🔞 Early exposure to pornography can be detrimental to younger individuals who may not fully understand the difference between fantasy and reality.

Q & A

What is Dr. Rena Malek's profession and what type of content does she create?

Dr. Rena Malek is a Urologist and Pelvic Surgeon. She creates content weekly on sexual health, bladder health, urologic health, and more.

What is Dr. Malek's stance on shaming individuals for their sexual behaviors?

Dr. Rena Malek strongly believes that no one should be shamed for their sexual behaviors as long as they're not damaging themselves or others.

What percentage of men and women have reportedly used pornography according to the studies mentioned?

Up to 70 to 80 percent of men and up to 32 percent of women have reportedly used or use pornography regularly.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the traffic to pornography sites?

Traffic to pornography sites increased by 11 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What are some reasons people use pornography?

People use pornography to increase sexual desire, satisfy their curiosities about sex, and to learn about anatomy due to limited sexual education.

What are some positive effects of pornography use mentioned in the script?

Some positive effects include having more positive attitudes towards sex, being more willing to experiment with partners, and having a more satisfied sexual life.

Is there a link between pornography use and increases in sexual violence according to the research discussed?

There has been no linkage found between pornography use and increases in sexual violence, rape, or assault after looking at multiple studies.

What is the medical term for what is commonly referred to as 'porn addiction'?

Medically, 'porn addiction' is not a classified disease. What medical professionals refer to it as is 'problematic pornography use'.

Who is at a higher risk for developing problematic pornography use?

Individuals who watch a lot of pornography, have depression or anxiety, feel moral incongruence about pornography, or prefer masturbation to sex with a partner are at a higher risk.

How does watching pornography affect the brain and lead to problematic use?

Watching pornography leads to the release of dopamine, which can cause upregulation in brain pathways, leading to cravings, tolerance, impulsivity, compulsivity, and weakened executive function.

What are some real-life consequences of problematic pornography use mentioned in the script?

Real-life consequences include social isolation, financial problems, relationship issues, and signs of mental health disorders like depression or anxiety.

Why is it concerning that younger children are accessing pornography?

Younger children have not fully developed brains and may have difficulty discerning reality from the fake portrayals in pornography, which can lead to self-esteem issues and unrealistic expectations about sex.