The purpose of this study was to investigate the consumption of pornography and sexual behaviour in a sample of adult Norwegians of differing sexual orientation.

A random sample of 12,000, 18–59 years-old, Norwegians was drawn from the Population Register. Data collection was carried out by anonymous questionnaires. A total of 2381 persons responded (response rate 20%).

Ninety-four percent of all men, 92% of lesbians/bisexuals, and 67% of heterosexual women reported exposure to pornography. The estimated mean percent of the time having used pornography when masturbating was 51% among gays/bisexuals, 42% among heterosexual men, 24% among lesbians/bisexuals, and 12% among heterosexual women. Gays/bisexuals reported having used pornography when having partner sex 10% of the time, compared to 4% among heterosexuals.

Among heterosexual men, the use of pornography was associated with sexual activity and sexual experimentation often portrayed in pornography. There was also some evidence of an association between use of pornography during partner sex and sexual risk behaviour in gay/bisexual men.