Sexual Dysfunctions in the Internet Era

Among behavioral addictions, problematic Internet use and online pornography consumption are often cited as possible risk factors for sexual dysfunction, often with no definite boundary between the two phenomena. Online users are attracted to Internet pornography because of its anonymity, affordability, and accessibility, and in many cases its usage could lead users through a cybersex addiction: in these cases, users are more likely to forget the “evolutionary” role of sex, finding more excitement in self-selected sexually explicit material than in intercourse. In literature, researchers are discordant about positive and negative function of online pornography. From the negative perspective, it represents the principal cause of compulsive masturbatory behavior, cybersex addiction, and even erectile dysfunction. From the other perspective, researchers who evaluate positively online pornography highlight its therapeutic role in sexological treatments, especially in individuals and couples with reduced libido and lack of sexual fantasies. Internet can also become a place where patients ask for help to sexual health specialists, according to the Internet-based sexual therapy (IBST).