Few studies have been carried out on the subject, but certain factors common to sex addicts have been observed, not least the excessive use of pornography. Indeed, a study by researcher and psychologist Chad T. Wetterneck suggests an increase in sex addiction since the advent of the Internet, and thus of accessible pornography. Over the past few years, the web has become one of the most widely used sexual devices for addicts.

However, according to Dr Laurent Karila, it's important to remember that consuming pornography isn't serious, but it becomes so if you associate it with a loss of control, irrepressible urges to go and see a doctor, loss of time and money... 

For further information, we recommend that you consult :

- The IFFS (Institut Français de Formation en Sexothérapie) website, with a special section on sex addiction
- The IFAC (Institut Fédératif des Addictions Comportementales) website, with a special page on sex addiction
- The Geneva University Hospitals website, and their special report on addictions
- The website of Dr Sanquer's practice, psychologist and sexologist

For support in cases of addiction, it's important to consult a professional such as a sexologist or addictologist.

Contents validated by the physicians of the Scientific College of the Ramsay Health Foundation.