Internet-led increase in male sex addiction

Sex and relationship therapists say they are seeing more and more men suffering from sex addiction.

According to the BBC almost 80% of the 43 therapists they asked said sex addiction is a problem with the obsessive use of internet pornography now the most common form of the condition - some reported men spending up to eight hours a day looking at pornographic websites.

The counselling service Relate has also seen a 'huge increase' in people who say compulsive sexual behaviour is straining their relationship.

Christine Lacy, Relate Sex therapy consultant told the BBC that 'in the last two years alone, Relate has witnessed a huge increase in people presenting excessive use of internet pornography, and compulsive sexual behaviour as issues affecting their relationships.

'Their partners feel betrayed and very angry and whilst many partners are supportive, in some cases they cannot continue the relationship which obviously has a severe impact on any children they may have, their jobs and their wider families.

'Relate counsellors working with teenagers have reported that the instant availability of pornographic images on the internet and mobile phones has worrying implications for their ability to have normal sexual relationships as they grow up.'

• The MHF's health info website malehealth.co.uk is currently developing its own section on porn addiction including an interview with an addict and its own survey. Please encourage men to complete it.