Not Just a “Guy” Problem
Pornography and masturbation are usually framed as male issues, leaving many women feeling isolated in the struggle against pornography. The reality is that 70% of women have seen pornography before the age of 18,[1] and 25% feel they should watch less of it.[2]
Pornography is far from harmless, and a growing number of your peers are rejecting it. Here are five reasons to join them:
Your mind matters
Pornography changes your brain. It is addictive, decreases sensitivity to pleasure,[3] and reduces frontal brain matter.[4] It has also been found to decrease self-control[5] and it’s harmful to the mental health of those who use it.[6,7]Your time is valuable
47% of pornography users reported consuming pornography for 30 minutes to 3 hours per day.[8] In one year, that can add up to over a thousand hours. Unsurprisingly, 30% of users reported that their work performance suffered because of their pornography use.[9]Pornography sets unrealistic body standards
Pornography use worsens body image and decreases self-esteem.[10] The pornography industry treats women as sex objects, valuing them only for their bodies while setting completely unrealistic standards.Pornography normalizes objectification and sexual violence
The pornography industry profits from abuse and exploitation,[11] fuels sex trafficking,[12] and portrays sexual violence as normal. A team of researchers found that 88% of the scenes in the most popular pornography films contained physical violence and 49% contained verbal attacks.[13] No one should ever treat you like that. Degrading women isn’t sexy, and it certainly isn’t love.Your relationships are healthier without it
Pornography use decreases relationship satisfaction[14] and commitment to one’s partner,[15] as well as dramatically increasing the likelihood of divorce.[16] Your current and future relationships will be much healthier without pornography!
“I ran to pornography whenever I was lonely, but it only breeds loneliness. It also became a crutch if I was ever bored, disappointed, or angry with myself.”
“I felt trapped and alone… People don’t see what it does in the hearts and minds of those that it affects. They don’t see what it does inside the homes and relationships of those that it holds captive. They don’t see the lives that it ruins.”
If you are struggling, seek real help from health professionals. For more information and testimonies from young women like you, click the button below:
Check out the Sources:
1. Robb, Michael B, and Supreet Mann. “Teens and Pornography.” Ed. Jennifer Robb, Common Sense Media, 2023, https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/research/report/2022-teens-and-pornography-final-web.pdf. Accessed 20 February 2026.
2. https://www.sagu.edu/thoughthub/pornography-statistics-who-uses-pornography/Ibid.
3. “Why Porn Can Be Difficult to Quit.” Fight the New Drug, https://fightthenewdrug.org/why-porn-can-be-difficult-to-quit/. Accessed 20 February 2026.
4. Kuhn, S., & Gallinat, J. “Brain Structure and Functional Connectivity Associated With Pornography Consumption: The Brain on Porn.” JAMA Psychiatry, vol. 71, no. 7, 1 July 2014, pp. 827-834. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.93.
5. Negash, S., et al. “Trading Later Rewards for Current Pleasure: Pornography Consumption and Delay Discounting.” Journal of sex research, vol. 53, no. 6, 25 August 2015, pp. 689–700. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2015.1025123.
6. Harper, C., & Hodgins, D. C. “Examining Correlates of Problematic Internet Pornography Use Among University Students.” Journal of behavioral addictions, vol. 5, no. 2, 9 May 2016, pp. 179–191. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.5.2016.022.
7. Koletić G. “Longitudinal associations between the use of sexually explicit material and adolescents’ attitudes and behaviors: A narrative review of studies.” Journal of adolescence, vol. 57, 20 April 2017, pp. 119–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.04.006.
8. Szittner, Katie. “Study exposes secret world of porn addiction,” Sydney.edu, 10 May 2012. http://sydney.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=9176.
9. Ibid.
10. Smith, Samantha, and LeSueur, Jamie. “Pornography Use in the United States” Ballard Brief, 2023, https://ballardbrief.byu.edu/issue-briefs/pornography-use-among-young-adults-in-the-united-states. Accessed 20 February 2026.
11 “How Porn Can Fuel Sex Trafficking” Fight the New Drug, https://fightthenewdrug.org/how-porn-can-fuel-sex-trafficking/. Accessed 20 February 2026.
12 Ibid.
13 Bridges, Ana J., et al. “Aggression and sexual behavior in best-selling pornography videos: a content analysis update.” Violence against women, vol. 16, no.10, 2010, pp. 1065-1085. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801210382866.
14 Tylka, T. L., & Kroon Van Diest, A. M. “You Looking at Her “Hot” Body May Not be “Cool” for Me: Integrating Male Partners’ Pornography Use into Objectification Theory for Women.” Psychology of Women Quarterly, vol. 39, no. 1, 6 February 2014, pp. 67–84. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361684314521784.
15 Minarcik, J., Wetterneck, C. T., & Short, M. B. “The Effects Of Sexually Explicit Material Use On Romantic Relationship Dynamics.” Journal Of Behavioral Addictions, vol. 5, no. 4, 2016, pp. 700-707. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.5.2016.078.
16 Smith, Samantha, and LeSueur, Jamie. “Pornography Use in the United States” Ballard Brief, 2023, https://ballardbrief.byu.edu/issue-briefs/pornography-use-among-young-adults-in-the-united-states. Accessed 20 February 2026.