In 2025, it was found that 60 percent of women in the US and 80 percent of men had watched pornography that year — but how are these habits affecting our real-life relationships and sex lives?
In December, FHE Health reported that around 11 percent of Americans view porn on a daily basis. While it can seem like a private, harmless way to unwind or explore fantasies, some experts say heavy exposure can sometimes spill over into partnered intimacy in unhelpful ways.
Halle Berry recently weighed in on adult content and the way it can influence what people expect — or attempt — in the bedroom.
“Men often mimic what they see in porn [and] that’s another thing I get to say to my guy — don’t do what you see in porn,” she said on the Sex with Emily podcast.
She added that if she felt a partner was trying to copy a porn scene during sex, it would bring everything to an immediate halt for her.
But it’s not only obvious porn-style behaviour that can be off-putting. According to Annabelle Knight, a sex and relationships expert at Lovehoney, porn can also shape expectations in subtler ways.
“Porn isn’t inherently harmful, and for many people it can be a healthy part of sexual exploration,” Annabelle said. “The issue arises when it becomes someone’s primary reference point for what sex ‘should’ look like.”
“Most mainstream porn is performance-based, it’s designed for visual impact, not emotional connection, mutual pleasure or realistic pacing,” she added.
As Annabelle explained, repeatedly seeing the same kinds of scenarios can lead people to judge themselves — or their partner — against standards that don’t line up with real-life sex.
She went on: “When people internalise those scripts, they can start to measure themselves or their partner against unrealistic standards, whether that’s body image, stamina, constant arousal, or the idea that orgasms happen quickly and effortlessly.
“Over time, this can create pressure rather than pleasure, and comparison rather than connection.
“Some people experience difficulty maintaining arousal or reaching orgasm because their brains have become highly conditioned to a very specific type of visual stimulus. When real-life intimacy feels slower or less visually intense, it can take time to retrain that response.”
If you’re concerned porn may be influencing your relationship in a way that doesn’t feel good, Annabelle suggested approaching the topic carefully — and without blame — by opening a dialogue rooted in understanding.
She explained: “You might say, ‘I’ve been thinking about how we both learned about sex, and I wonder if some of it has shaped what we expect from each other. Can we talk about what actually feels good for us?’
“That kind of framing keeps the focus on shared growth rather than fault.”
Annabelle further noted: “Healthy sex isn’t about recreating what you’ve seen online — it’s about co-creating something that works for both of you.”