Viewing sexual stimuli associated with greater sexual responsiveness, not erectile dysfunction
- Authors
- Prause, N., & Pfaus, J.
- Year
- 2015
- Journal
- Sexual Medicine Reviews
- Type
- Conceptual / review paper
- Last verified
- 2026-10-04
Main question
Does viewing sexual stimuli reduce or increase sexual responsiveness?
Related claims
Summary
Prause and Pfaus (2015) reviewed the literature on viewing sexual stimuli and sexual responsiveness, concluding that greater viewing was generally associated with greater responsiveness, not erectile dysfunction. This is a key counterpoint to the PIED hypothesis.
Why it matters
This review does not close the question — it reviews heterogeneous studies and does not rule out problems in specific subgroups — but it directly challenges the strong claim that pornography viewing reliably causes erectile dysfunction.
Findings
- Reviews available evidence and finds that more time viewing sexual stimuli was associated with greater — not reduced — sexual responsiveness.
- Argues against a simple causal link from pornography viewing to erectile dysfunction.
Limitations
- Review of heterogeneous studies of varying quality.
- Does not rule out problems in specific subgroups (e.g., heavy users or treatment-seeking populations).
- verification needed (DOI/PMID not recorded)
Clinical relevance
Challenges the claim that viewing causes erectile dysfunction.
Relevance to problematic pornography use
Key counterpoint to the PIED hypothesis.