Male adult film stars are becoming increasingly rare, and a sex expert has revealed why this surprising trend continues to grow in 2025. Despite the booming adult entertainment industry, the number of men joining it is shockingly low. The insight shared by an expert uncovers how social pressure, changing attitudes, and personal insecurities are shaping this unexpected shift.
The adult film industry has seen explosive growth thanks to platforms like OnlyFans and professional production studios. Yet, despite the success of female performers, men seem to be stepping back. The stigma attached to this line of work still lingers, particularly for men, who face harsher judgment and higher expectations compared to women.
According to data from Zipdo, women currently make up about 80 percent of all adult performers. This massive gap highlights not just a gender imbalance but also deeper social and psychological reasons behind the shortage of men in this profession.
Sex expert Melissa Todd, writing in her column for Metro, shared her perspective on why so few men are stepping into this world. Her observations provide a closer look at how cultural attitudes, personal fears, and generational changes all play a role in this ongoing issue.
Melissa Todd explained that producers frequently post casting calls for new talent on platforms such as X. While men often apply, many do not follow through when it comes time to actually appear on set. The excitement seems to vanish the moment the real challenge begins.
“Maybe men feel their identity and self-esteem are more closely tied to their sexual performance than women,” Todd explained. This insight reveals a deeper psychological factor. Men may feel immense pressure to perform perfectly, especially under intense scrutiny, while women often experience a more forgiving social attitude in similar roles.
Todd also pointed out another reason for the decline. “Maybe porn being blamed for every societal ill is also a factor,” she said. “We know young people are becoming increasingly puritanical and having less sex than previous generations.”
Melissa Todd described the situation as a “drought among young men” who are willing to enter the adult film world. According to her, it requires a very specific kind of confidence and skill to perform on cue in such an exposed environment. “It’s a particular skill to climax to order before a roomful of strangers,” she added, hinting at the immense psychological pressure involved.
The audition process itself, Melissa Todd noted, is far from glamorous. Many people assume that filming adult scenes is exciting or easy, but reality paints a very different picture. “Surrounded by actors, camera crew, producer, wardrobe, makeup artist, and a (usually female) director shouting, ‘Now get an erection!’ he’ll often find himself incapable and humiliated,” she explained.
This experience can quickly turn discouraging. For many aspiring male performers, it ends their pursuit of this career altogether. The atmosphere of high pressure, lack of privacy, and public performance anxiety often proves too difficult to overcome.
As a result, women continue to dominate the adult entertainment space. Todd mentioned that the perception of women having it “easier” in the industry contributes to this imbalance. “Girls have it way easier,” Melissa Todd said, explaining that women can simulate arousal when necessary, something men cannot do convincingly. “We can so easily fake every stage of arousal. A good squirt of lube, a healthy dose of panting, sighing, and noisy screaming. But you probably don’t need me to tell you that.”
This statement sheds light on the double standard in adult entertainment. While both genders face challenges, women can often rely on visual cues and acting skills, whereas men must deliver a physical performance that leaves no room for error. The pressure is enormous, and failure can feel deeply personal.
When we take a step back, the overall decline of male adult film stars becomes easier to understand.
It’s not just about professional opportunities but also about social attitudes and shifting personal values. Surveys have shown that people today are having less sex than previous generations, and this trend may directly influence the talent pool for adult entertainment.
A 2017 study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior found that the average adult now has sex only about once a week. This marked a clear decline compared to the 1990s, when people reported having sex around nine more times per year on average.
This drop in sexual frequency suggests broader lifestyle and cultural shifts. Technology, work stress, and evolving views on relationships may all contribute to a more restrained approach to intimacy. These factors also affect the willingness of individuals, particularly men, to explore sexual expression through performance or public exposure.
Adding to this, a more recent report titled The State of Dating: How Gen Z is Redefining Sexuality and Relationships, created in collaboration with the dating app Feeld, uncovered that younger generations are engaging in fewer sexual experiences overall. The study revealed that Gen Z individuals are less likely to form long-term romantic relationships or engage in frequent sexual activity compared to older generations.
Dr. Justin Lehmiller, the lead researcher of the study, explained that nearly half of Gen Z participants reported being single. In comparison, only one-fifth of Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers identified as single. This shows a major cultural shift in how younger people view relationships and sexuality, favoring emotional safety and personal growth over physical intimacy.
When looking at the bigger picture, Melissa Todd’s observations and the supporting research both indicate that the adult film industry is facing a generational change. It’s not simply about the number of available performers but also about the way people now perceive sex and intimacy as part of modern life.
The declining interest among men in this profession highlights how societal expectations and personal insecurities can shape entire industries. The idea of public performance tied to sexual ability creates an intimidating barrier that most men prefer not to cross.
At the same time, the continuing rise of digital content platforms has allowed individuals to express themselves sexually without traditional film production settings. Platforms like OnlyFans have created opportunities for private content creation, giving performers more control but also leading to further fragmentation of the industry.
Melissa Todd’s analysis reveals how complex this topic truly is. On the surface, it may seem like a simple supply issue, but underneath it lies a web of cultural, emotional, and psychological factors. Men who once saw adult film work as a bold or rebellious career now see it as a potential source of embarrassment or failure.
The conversation surrounding the shortage of male adult film stars touches on modern masculinity as well. Society often encourages men to appear confident and sexually dominant, yet those same expectations can lead to performance anxiety when placed in front of cameras and crews.
Todd’s comments highlight an uncomfortable truth: modern culture expects perfection from male sexuality while punishing vulnerability. For many men, this contradiction makes the idea of entering the adult film world unappealing, regardless of potential fame or income.
The reality is that this shortage reflects deeper trends in modern relationships and intimacy. People are becoming more private, less sexually active, and more aware of emotional boundaries. The performance-based nature of adult entertainment feels outdated to a generation that values authenticity and mental well-being.
In the end, the sex expert’s insight shows that the decline of male adult film stars is not just a problem for the industry but a reflection of a changing world. Shifting values, self-image issues, and the rise of digital intimacy all contribute to this transformation. Whether or not the industry adapts remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the concept of male sexuality is evolving, and with it, so is the face of adult entertainment.
