Statistics reveal that men tend to consume pornography more frequently than women. However, this doesn’t imply that women shy away from adult content; they certainly engage with it as well.

So, the question arises: do women turn to alternative sources to fulfil their carnal desires?

Short answer: Yes, women often turn to romance novels and steamy films.

Longer answer: They immerse themselves in captivating fantasy worlds, where they encounter suave, wealthy, and impossibly handsome love interests.

This allows them to vicariously experience the journey through the eyes of the female protagonist, enjoying a whirlwind of excitement and emotion that often contrast with reality.

It’s not just about sex for women, the imagination comes into play far more often and is essential when directing why they engage with movies and books, rather than porn as often as men.

According to the Wheatly Institute, for pornography use, there appears to be a difference between men and women across relationship commitment levels.

When compared to the basic pattern of whether they use pornography, women are about twice as likely to report that they “never” use pornography as men in the same level of commitment.

The per cent reporting “never” on personal use were:

• Casually dating women – 57 per cent vs Casually dating men = 25 per cent
• Seriously dating women – 60 per cent vs Seriously dating men = 25 per cent
• Engaged women – 61 per cent vs Engaged men = 38 per cent
• Married women- 65 per cent vs Married men = 37 per cent

Okay, so it tracks that women are less likely to engage in porn, and if they do it is less frequent. So, how do novels and movies come in?

Women are societal norms and expectations. Historically, women have faced stigma surrounding sexual expression and enjoyment.

Cultural narratives often portray women as passive consumers of sexuality rather than active participants, which can lead to feelings of shame or guilt associated with watching porn. This societal pressure can discourage women from exploring their sexual desires openly.

So, some may engage passively through novels and movies.

And as for the percentage that do engage with porn and have their masturbation tools handy—pun intended, normally, they would still engage more infrequently than men.

Sex expert Elaine George noted in her interview with Women’s Weekly that “Erotic fiction, in particular, enables a woman to get carried away with her sense of imagination and imaginary play”.

“That imaginary play can be with a lover. It can be with multiple lovers. And it can be inventing a scenario that enables her to become erotically charged,” she added.

While men may seek out pornography for immediate gratification, women are more likely to engage with content that enhances their overall sexual experience. This can include reading or watching films that offer a blend of romance and sensuality.

Women may choose to prioritise connection over casual encounters, influencing their choice of ‘Sexual entertainment’. While men may not understand why Edward Cullen, Christian Grey or Don Massimo catches women’s attention—women know why those fictional characters are now considered sex symbols.