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Posted on: 13 July 2017

Experts will tell you that having an addiction to porn is just as hard to break as an addiction to drugs. Both types of addictions affect the brain in similar ways, and many people who are addicted to porn will need help from a professional in order to break the addiction. While many people think porn addiction only affects men, women are also affected. If you are a woman addicted to porn, here are several things to understand if you want to break your addiction.

You're Not Alone

Pornography is something that is very readily available today, and research shows that approximately 40 million American adults view pornographic websites on a regular basis. While you might think that this is primarily a man's problem, it really isn't. According to a recent study, approximately 17% of American women are addicted to pornography. This means that almost 1 in 5 women struggle with this issue.

Pornography is a huge problem with both men and women, but many teens also view it on a regular basis. The problem with this is that pornography addiction can have devastating effects on those that view it and their families.

Women View Pornography For Different Reasons

While both men and women can become addicted to pornography, each has different reasons for this. Men tend to be drawn into pornography for non-emotional connections. They are often after it for objectification. The women they look at are objects that are ready and willing to do whatever the men come up with in their minds. Men often like this because they do not have to give anything in return. The women they view are just there to serve their needs, even though this is not really true.

Women often view pornography for several reasons. The first is to gain some type of control or power, and this is often when women feel powerless in life. By viewing porn, they are able to feel like they have some type of control over their lives and their relationships.

Women also view pornography for an emotional connection, which is why women tend to visit more chat rooms and other types of interactive forms of pornography compared to men. Women who become addicted to this behavior may be dealing with depression or longing for intimate connections and feel this is an easy solution for this problem.

The Problems Women Face With Pornography Addiction

One problem women face when they have pornography addictions is embarrassment. While men can also feel embarrassed, women are more likely to feel embarrassed because pornography addiction doesn't seem to be the norm in society for women. Because of this, many women keep their addiction secret.

Another problem women face when they are addicted to porn is relationship problems. Porn often portrays unrealistic types of sexual acts and behaviors, and this can cause women to develop unrealistic expectations with relationships. When an addiction is left untreated, it can lead to a decrease in intimacy with real people, and it can lower a woman's self-esteem.

Even though men and women may have different reasons for viewing porn, both men and women really hope to find some sense of fulfillment in it, yet this is not what happens. Viewing porn on a regular basis actually robs people of true intimacy and fulfillment with sexual experiences and relationships.

If you feel that you cannot stop viewing pornography on your own, help is available. You are not alone, and you do not have to fight this addiction on your own. Contact a center today that specializes in porn addictions to get help for your problem.