Many women can feel extremely threatened when they discover that their partner has been watching porn. This may be something that they discover by accident or their partner may tell them. A few women I know have become extremely jealous when finding out their lover watches porn whilst he has a girlfriend, wondering whether they are not good enough, or if their sex life is not the one the man wants.

If the woman feels threatened or jealous, porn can create big problems in the relationship – in fact, some women view watching porn as cheating. For some men though, watching porn has been something they’ve done for years – so does watching it have to mean something negative?

Sometimes, women believe that once a man has a girlfriend, he stops watching porn. I’m sorry to be the one to tell you if you didn’t know already…but that is definitely not the case! If you believed that, bless you.

What are the reasons for not just men, but for anyone to watch it? As always, we’ve got your back and asked 50 men WHY they continue to watch pornography when they have a girlfriend.

From the 50 men we surveyed, a huge 22% stated that actually, they don’t watch porn when they have a girlfriend. Personally, I think that’s quite a lot and I’d be surprised if this was 100% the truth or if they were simply trying to pull the wool over our eyes!

“If a man has a girlfriend and he’s still masturbating, he’s not a real man.” – 23, India

“I don’t do that personally and I don’t know why some men do it.” – 36, South Africa

“Because those men are stupid?” – 31, United Kingdom

“Actually when I had a girlfriend, I didn’t need to watch porn.” – 26. Turkey

“If things are done right, he should totally forget about any computer life.” – 37, France

“Why do men watch porn? Not all men do that, only the bored ones!” – 29, Singapore

“I can have sex with my date. Why would I need porn?” – 24, United States

“They shouldn’t have to if sex with a girlfriend is good right?” – 26, Belgium

“I don’t watch it when I have a girlfriend.” – 31, United Kingdom

“I wouldn’t do it and if guys do it, it’s either because they’re not fulfilled or they just love it too much?” – 23, France

Overwhelmingly, it appears that most of the men we spoke to about why they watch porn when they have a partner is because it is an activity they find fun to do on their own, whether that’s because of time constraints, or it’s just something they enjoy or they feel that comes naturally to them.

“Because the girlfriend will not be around him all the time.” – 24, India

“Maybe someone is addicted to porn. Maybe they watch to satisfy their desire for stimulation. Or someone may watch it just for fun, like ‘America’s Funniest Home Videos’ – 24, Malaysia

“Well…porn gives pleasure when she’s not around me.” – 25, Australia

“Having sex could be tiring. Sometimes, men want to jerk it off as fast as possible.” – 26, Taiwan

“To masturbate? I guess. Haha.” – 34, Australia

“I still need to watch porn even though I have a girlfriend. Simply because love and sex desire are two different things.” – 35, Hong Kong

“I think some guys just get addicted to porn. My friend’s husband was like this. Some guys also want to fantasise about things their girlfriend won’t do too.” – 31, Canada

“To prove we are still independent? Haha.” – 27, France

“I’m that kind of person who prefers watching my girlfriend do that stuff, it feels more realistic. And I can recall the feeling and excitement from the clips.” – 24, Hong Kong

“Men need variety.” – 30, Australia

“I guess it’s something related to dopamine and addiction?” – 32, France

“It’s better that they watch then cheat.” – 35, United States

“I need inspiration in my sex life and also it’s just entertaining.” – 23, United Kingdom

“I don’t know and I see it as an interest.” – 25, Hong Kong

“This is a must. Even when you have a wife too. You will always look for forbidden excitement. That’s why it’s exciting to cheat your girlfriend or wife. Usually, having sex with girls other than my girlfriend is the best because you can have porn sex, and with your girlfriend or wife, you will have sweet love sex. It’s not the same.” – 38, French

“I guess it’s due to fluctuations of testosterone levels.” – 24, India

“Because it’s way more convenient sometimes. Haha.” – 25, United States

Not surprisingly, our men told us that the reason they watch porn is because to them, it’s a fantasy. In fact, 30% of men told us that porn was a way to get out of their everyday lives, and also to ‘experience’ things that their partner may not want to do in the bedroom. This may include things like BDSM or anal sex.

“Some people watch porn to live out fantasies. They feel nervous about doing with their significant other or can’t do them with their significant other.” – 30, Thailand

“It’s a way to visualise your fantasies that you can’t fulfil with your girlfriend. You can also discover new fantasies and moves.” – 24, India
“Because she can’t satisfy my sexual desire.” 25, Hong Kong

“Porn is about fantasy. Also, I don’t think girls realise how much guys think about sex.” – 31, Australia

“Well…why would you go to a restaurant if you can cook the same dish at home? Because it’s just different. Some men like to have fantasies but won’t do it with their girlfriend.” – 25, Italy

“Porn is related to imagination but your girlfriend is related to reality.” – 29, Hong Kong

“I like to watch something which I don’t have at home. You watch some porn before you cheat on your girlfriend.” – 31, Brazil

“Because girlfriends can’t satisfy or maybe just want to have a fantasy of other girls.” – 28, China

“I am not sure but I am guessing it’s to fulfil a fantasy that the couple can’t agree to do? Personally, I think watching porn while in a relationship is close to cheating. Never really felt the urge to do it while in a relationship.” – 32, Bahrain

“My girlfriend doesn’t have big boobs and I still want to have fantasies of those girls.” – 28, Hong Kong

“Not that I still need to, but it’s easily accessible and unless he can communicate with his girlfriend with no judgment, there may be areas he might like to explore. A good relationship is one where they can be open about the porn issue.” – 28, Australia

A very brave 10% of men told us that they actually watch porn because they find the women in the videos hotter than their own girlfriends!

“Porn girls are usually hotter. Plus, they do kinkier stuff to fulfill some men’s fantasies.” – 28, Hong Kong

“A pornstar is much hotter than the girlfriend? Girlfriend’s skills in sex are not proficient enough? The girlfriend may not want to have sex with you when you need it?” – 27, Hong Kong

“Obviously the girlfriend doesn’t fulfil her boyfriend’s sexual needs.” – 30, France

Don’t let that dishearten you though, because another 10% of men said that watching porn is an activity they would like to do with their partners, with a further 8% stating that everyone can learn some new moves from porn!

“Actually, girls do the same. Haha.” – 34, Switzerland

“Ideally, watching porn together is a fun plan to do for a couple. If the guy needs to watch it alone is probably because his sexuality is more developed than his lady’s, but still he loves her for other many things and just complements her lack of sex drive (or lack of sexual skills) with some good old sneaky sexy porn.” – 34, Spain

“There are many reasons, like accumulating more skills.” – 31, Hong Kong

“I think women still need to watch porn when they have a boyfriend.” – 26, United States

“Maybe they want to learn some new tricks.” 39, Singapore

“I guess that depends on the man and the girlfriend. I know many women who also like to watch porn when in a relationship. Sexual variety is probably a fundamental human desire, better to fulfil it with porn than something else.” – 42, United States

“I’d prefer to watch porn with them. We can learn from our favourite scenes.” – 31, Australia

Well, that’s what our men said. However, it may surprise you to find out that actually, research has found that men watch porn simply because it’s entertaining to watch naked women (and/or men) while they masturbate. It generally has nothing to do with how they feel about women (or men).

Unless your partner is seriously neglecting your in favour of watching porn (that’s addiction, a whole other story), then honestly it shouldn’t be that much of a big deal, or impact your relationship in any way. Next time you’re alone, why don’t you take a look at some porn, to see if you can understand the draw of it, you may find that you end up enjoying it more than you think. 

Don’t forget, it’s the internet: there’s something for everyone!