don't really have a strong opinion either way

Does it hurt or help? Yes...

Hurts

I don't see how it helps at all. If anything it hurts women, the way they are portrayed in most porn. I admit I'm no angel, I've watched porn and used to be excited by it..but these days I feel turned off by the way the women are treated and the idea that two (or more) people could sleep together that don't even know each other..

Meaningless question is meaningless.

To illustrate:
Do movies help or hurt?
Do Books help or hurt?
Do music help or hurt?
Do video games?
Do ( insert genre or subgenre here)

The question for all of them is not "does" but which, which help and which hurt and how to increase the presence of those that help.

I think so

There are a lot of ways the industry has helped women; there are a number of female stars who own their own businesses and are quite successful outside of the studio. I think if you feel empowered by owning your sexuality and making a career out of it, then it's the perfect industry to go into.

If you're doing it just to make money, that's when you end up in skeevy situations doing skeevy things to skeevy people. (IMHO)

There's an upside and a downside to every industry. Just because this one happens to focus on adults having sex doesn't make it any more or less legit than the company next door. It's the people behind the industry that make things shady, not the idea that sex sells. Sex does sell and it has since humans figured out how to sell sex.

I think that it has helped the women's sexual liberation movement because like Stormy said there are quite a few successful female porn stars who have taken charge of their lives and sexuality and really enjoy their job.

I also believe that porn helped promote the sex industry (which includes lovely toys!). The sex industry shows us that sex isn't just something for men to enjoy. As a women, I feel that porn has made me comfortable with trying different things sexually and even feeling more confident with the way my pussy looks, I think that's great!

While sometimes porn can feature women being used violently and disrespected, I don't think it can be blamed for societies treatment and views of women. Women have been struggling for equality for hundreds if not thousands of years, and have been treated much worse, even just a few decades ago, then they are today.

All in all, I think sometimes porn get's the bad rap for our issues in society. Just like we can't blame video games for people's actions, porn shouldn't be blamed for violence towards women.

I think it can, but not inherently. Taking power of your sex is not a bad thing