SEXUAL HEALTH: Is P*rn bad for you? [18+]

Tips from www.menheath.com

Don't believe the hype. New research suggests a dirty digital habit does more good than harm

Pornography is a sticky subject. But despite the inherent taboo and shaky ethics, porn sites are accessed more than social media in the UK. And while some head to the seedier corners of the internet so rarely they truly believe there are sexy singles in their area, others are embarking on ever more frequent sojourns into cyberspace. The pervasiveness of porn has led many to consider habitual viewing an addiction, but although we know getting hooked on sex is very real – just ask Tiger Woods's windscreen – the science suggests there is no such thing as digital dependence.

After sifting through current studies into pornography addiction, suggestively-named Dr David Ley, author of The Myth of Sex Addiction, found more holes than, er, your favourite Swiss cheese (steady now). His review, published in Current Sexual Health Reports found only 37 per cent of studies describe excessive use of porn as an addiction, and only 27 per cent contained any form of empirical data. Ley found no conclusive evidence in any study to suggest those who use porn excessively were at risk of either negative side effects to the brain or erectile dysfunction.

A heavy porn habit can be embarrassing, not to mention time-consuming, so if you want to cut down use these proven strategies. But before you bid farewell to those ‘Incognito’ windows forever, consider that Ley and his team of X-rated aficionados believe watching porn actually confers a range of benefits.

Their research concluded porn can improve attitudes towards sexuality, increase quality of life and your range of sexual behaviours and increase pleasure in long-term relationships. So next time you get caught with your digital pants down, treat this as your virtual hall pass – it's for her benefit too, after all. To put the science into practice, follow our guide to boost your sex life with porn.