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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Porn problems, I hate it!

210 replies

Anony123 · 25/05/2018 09:13

My boyfriend has watched porn from a young age and says he is addicted. He is 21. He always said he never watched porn but I caught it on his phone and got so upset. It broke my heart because I disagree with it when in a relationship. I feel like it affects our sex life as he learned about sex from porn and isnt amazing in the bedroom which I am okay with because what matters to me about sex is the intimacy. But also he was watching it a lot and we were having sex less which left me heart broken. When I found it I broke down in to tears and couldn't even look at him. The fact that he is getting off to skinny little porn stars makes me feel like I'm not enough for him and the fact that he was doing it so often broke me into pieces. I couldn't look at him, I felt horrible being naked in front of him. He wonders why I have body issues but him watching porn instead of coming to me really doesn't help! So I told him I can't be with someone who watches porn as I feel like it's betrayal and he said he would stop. But I found it on his phone last night and when I confronted him he said it's because he is addicted and he is trying to stop. I'm devastated! I don't know what to do! It's killing me but I really love him and our lo together and really don't want our relationship to end but don't want to be with someone who choses porn over his girlfriend and that I feel so horrible and unattractive to (even though he tells me I'm beautiful all the time)

OP posts:
OhGrrr · 25/05/2018 12:54

Ah the tired old sexist assumption that if a woman disagrees with a man is because she "needs a good seeing to"...

We are the experts on having sex with men here, not you.

Try again.

Lynspop · 25/05/2018 12:54

@Newerversion@ never has a more prudish statement been uttered

xbeex · 25/05/2018 12:55

The only one giving praise for being a narcissist is you @lynnspop that says it all to me. Congratulations on having no empathy, understanding or love for anyone other than yourself.

Newerversion · 25/05/2018 12:56

Which particular statement was prudish?

Morgan12 · 25/05/2018 12:56

Lynspop, I think most woman would agree their best lovers have been in long term relationships previously or have learned from them. Porn does not teach men how to be good in bed at all. I once had a man slap my vag and almost pissed myself laughing.

LoxieRose · 25/05/2018 12:57

I think it's time to end the relationship. There are many men out there who don't have this kind of addiction or even watch porn. They have more interesting hobbies instead.

Lynspop · 25/05/2018 12:58

Having a laugh is a great part of sex. I think everyone has really missed the point and resorted to name calling. I've only said that I agree with porn and think it can be a great sex aid.

Wellfuckmeinbothears · 25/05/2018 12:59

Also Lynnsop, I have done porn too. However I don’t hop on my dh and tell him he’s in for the time of his life because I’m some kind of sex pro. I learnt nothing from porn, I learn with my partner. Porn does not make you some kind of sexual God. In your case it seems to have inflated your ego and distanced you from your wif.

Hidingtonothing · 25/05/2018 13:00

Time to ignore the porn-addled troll and focus on the OP I think Wink For me this is more about deceit than porn and the fact that he hasn't been honest would be the thing I would struggle to get past. If you want to give him any more chances OP I would put the ball firmly back in his court. Ask him what he plans to do to address his 'addiction' and how he intends to go about rebuilding your trust in him, if he can't come back with anything I think it's safe to assume he intends to do precisely nothing, other than hiding his porn use better.

It's a clear choice for you then, essentially put up and shut up or walk away and find someone who's more interested in an actual relationship than the screen and his hand. They do exist (despite what our deluded friend thinks!) and you don't have to settle for someone who makes you feel shit about yourself.

Anony123 · 25/05/2018 13:00

Thank you Lynspop for taking over my thread and being more useless than porn in my life right now (didn't even think that was possible). You words and thoughts are useless so can you please burger off to your poor poor wife who has a robot of a partner. Thanks.

OP posts:
Lynspop · 25/05/2018 13:00

@Wellfuckmeinbothears I never claimed to be a God, I'm just good at sex because I LISTEN to my partner

Frosty66612 · 25/05/2018 13:00

@lynspop no. You said the OP is at fault for her OH being addicted to porn because she clearly isn’t giving him what he needs.
And you then told the rest of us that we are prudes who have unhappy partners and shit sex lives. Whilst repeatedly boasting about what a sex god you are in the sack.

LoxieRose · 25/05/2018 13:01

I once had a man slap my vag

Haha, I hope it didn't hurt.

One guy slapped his dick on my face. Made my excuses after that.

Men who watch porn do make shite lovers. They really do.

Wellfuckmeinbothears · 25/05/2018 13:01

Ok you, a man, have declared it’s a great sex aid. Every woman on the thread disagrees. Does that not tell you anything?! No, of course not. Because you’re a man so obviously you must be correct. We’re all just sex starved vipers.

Sigh.

TammySwansonTwo · 25/05/2018 13:01

Aww, I’m glad Lynspop has posted because he’s unwittingly given you an excellent insight into both the male sense of entitlement (their needs trump your feelings) and the complete lack of self awareness in porn users (he seems to think that the techniques shown in porn will make him better at sex, doesn’t seem to understand that the women in porn are faking it and 90% of the activities at least have nothing to do with female enjoyment).

OP, I’ve been in a long term relationship with a porn addict. Perhaps there are people who can partake casually and without negative effects but if it’s already affecting your sex life then it’s already a problem.

Have a read of the Your Brain On Porn website. MRIs show that the effects of porn are not dissimilar to some drugs and, as with those drugs, where a small amount is enough initially, they need more over time to get the same effects. Since so much porn is so extreme, frequent users can often not get as aroused by sex as they do by porn, plus they have an issue with needing novelty and variety to get the same “high”. Then there’s the desensitisation that can occur from frequent masturbation which means they can no longer ejaculate from sex (try being with someone who has never ever been able to ejaculate as a result of sex, especially if you’re trying for a baby).

Hopefully reading this information will help you to understand that this is nothing you’ve done and no reflection on your sexual skills or desirability, just as it wouldn’t be your fault if he were addicted to cocaine. This problem predates you. Many porn addicts were first exposed to porn at a very young age. It often skews their feelings on sex and relationships (struggling to equate love and sex for example, or having a drive that can’t be satiated at all) and once someone starts choosing porn over sex that’s a real problem.

It can be overcome, like any addiction, but it’s very difficult since it’s so accessible. There’s a Reddit group called No Fap. Just as an alcoholic shouldn’t ever have just one drink, porn addicts need to stop using porn. If possible refrain from masturbating too, to resolve any sensitisation issues. That group has a lot of information.

When I was with a porn addict, he was in his early 20s and saw nothing wrong with it. As he got older and understood about the industry he really struggled because he found it morally repugnant but was still addicted. It caused him a lot of problems but he wasn’t able to stop.

If I were you, I’d tell him he needs to address it (quitting usage, joining an online support group and / or going to counselling) or I would leave. It doesn’t have to be like this. Regardless of what people like the guy above reckon, there are men who have no interest in porn, or avoid it for ethical reasons, or who can take it or leave it. Ignore defensive men who are trying to excuse their behaviour.

(Again, to be clear, I’m not talking about someone who watches porn occasionally but porn addiction is real and increasing)

Wellfuckmeinbothears · 25/05/2018 13:03

I really really doubt you are good at sex. As I said above, you say one thing and every woman on the thread disagrees. You ignore and maintain you’re correct. It doesn’t sound like you LISTEN.

TheBogWitchIsBack · 25/05/2018 13:05

If you're not happy it's ok to end it. In my experience men who have been getting off to porn from an early age can rarely envision life without it.
If it's a deal breaker for you it's ok to walk away from the relationship.

TammySwansonTwo · 25/05/2018 13:05

Oh, and the men I’ve been with who watch a lot of porn have done all sorts of crazy shit that very few women would be happy with without discussion at least. Yet they seem to think you’ll love it because hey, women in porn love it! Worst. Shags. Ever.

sadiesnakes · 25/05/2018 13:07

@Lynspop, Attacking me for having a loving and sexual fulfilling sex life is purely from a place of jealously.
Haha! I'd bet my right tit there's not one person here jealous of you and your porny sex life!
Actually on 2nd thoughts stick around on this thread, I'm having a really shit morning and seeing you being taken down is cheering me up abit.

OhGrrr · 25/05/2018 13:08

I'm just good at sex because I LISTEN to my partner

Actually, that's the opposite to what you said.

You said you were good because you learnt from porn.

It was the rest of us that said listening to your partner is what makes you good.

TheBogWitchIsBack · 25/05/2018 13:09

And yes men who watch high volumes of porn are shit at sex. Selfish, entitled lovers who have been programmed to focus on their own pleasure and not yours.
I would run a mile from any man who said they learned about sex from porn, so not attractive.

xbeex · 25/05/2018 13:09

TammySwansonTwo is spot on.

JessicaEccles · 25/05/2018 13:11

Dear OP, leave your boyfriend- or he will end up like Lynspop.

I cannot think of a better warning about the mind numbing effect of porn Grin

Hidingtonothing · 25/05/2018 13:11

Grin Jessica

OhGrrr · 25/05/2018 13:12

TammySwansonTwo is spot on.

Agreed.

OP It probably feels that this discussion has strayed far from the path you intended but I think it has served well to show you how these men think and just how deluded/inconsiderate/inadequate they are.