Can Porn Induce Erectile Dysfunction? Symptoms and Treatment
Porn is a controversial and polarizing topic. Even after the increasingly positive attitude shift over the last decade, there is still some degree of taboo on porn consumption. Religions consistently condemn it. Socially, it is not the most comfortable topic of conversation (to put it mildly). Science is wary about the negative effects of porn on mental health and relationships. Research has now even linked excessive porn consumption with erectile dysfunction. Porn-induced ED and low sexual desire have been observed in men under 40. At the same time, we often observe a dismissive attitude about porn consumption. We see people dismissing it as “a normal part of growing up” or “it’s harmless .”And many people tend to neglect porn-induced erectile dysfunction as a ‘passing phase’ or ‘it’s just stress.” But porn is not as harmless as we like to believe. Neither is ED something we should push under the carpet. If you are still unsure and stuck on the question – can porn cause ED? You should read this blog to understand the link between porn and erectile dysfunction. What Is Porn-Induced Erectile Dysfunction? Before we dig into the hows and whys of ‘can porn cause ED,’ let us learn a bit of the background about erectile dysfunction and porn-induced ED. Erectile dysfunction was traditionally seen as an age-induced condition – 40% of men under 40 admit to having ED. As men get older, the numbers go up – 70% of men suffer from ED at the age of 70. ED can be the result of medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular diseases. But, for the majority of men under 40, erectile dysfunction is more of a psychological issue than a physical one. Porn-induced ED refers to the condition where excessive porn consumption affects men’s ability to achieve and maintain an erection during sexual activity. Does Porn Cause ED (Erectile Dysfunction)? Now to answer the key question – can porn cause ED? Yes. Porn-induced ED is a real thing, but it is a complex psychological issue rather than a physical condition. Hardcore pornography has a desensitizing effect on the libido of young men. Among people who masturbated for seven or more hours in a week, with very frequent pornography use – 71% had sexual dysfunctions, with 33% reported difficulty orgasming Porn consumption often causes negative emotions such as shame and guilt. Compulsive porn consumption is also linked to mental health issues in men, like anxiety, stress, and depression. These factors might become a psychological block that prevents you from achieving and maintaining an erection during sexual activity. So, while pornography is not the only factor causing erectile dysfunction, it is definitely a strong cause. The Internet and Porn-ED Connection Until a decade ago, the question of ‘does porn cause ED’ was not a troubling one. Mostly because porn and explicit content were not conveniently available, and it was not as engaging or catering to a wide range of fantasies. But, with the internet, that fact has changed. The internet is notorious for influencing and facilitating compulsive sexual behaviours. 4 million, i.e. 12% of all the websites on the World Wide Web, have pornographic content. Platforms such as Onlyfans report adding 500,000 new users daily and 15 million new users monthly. This ease of access to porn combined with the exhaustive variety of pornographic content is resulting in lowered sexual libido and erectile function in real life. Clinical Research has particularly noted that the rise of erectile dysfunction among young men has coincided with the rise of porn websites. How Is Porn-Induced Erectile Dysfunction Treated? If your erectile dysfunction is caused by porn consumption, then its treatments have to address the root cause. So long as you do not get rid of the compulsive porn habit, any relief achieved through medication or other means is bound to be temporary. A porn fast is the most obvious treatment for porn-induced ED – Abstaining from watching porn removes the root cause of your porn-induced ED. Setting up a timeframe and doing porn fast helps to reset your brain to its normal sexual function. During this period of abstinence, you can use a porn blocker to avoid accidental or intentional exposure to pornography. Also, find other hobbies to manage your triggers and reset the porn-related reward path in your brain. Other treatment options for porn-induced erectile dysfunction can include – 1. Therapy: Therapy and counselling can be valuable in addressing mental health issues associated with compulsive porn consumption. A non-judgemental professional can help you address the shame and guilt associated with porn use. When these issues are resolved, the psychological block of stress and anxiety about sexual activity is resolved. So, the process helps you overcome porn-induced erectile dysfunction. 2. Support groups Many times, shame and fear of judgement stop people from seeking help with their porn addiction. As long as the compulsive porn-watching behaviour continues, you will still have to face erectile dysfunction challenges. Offline and Online porn addiction support groups can help you seek help anonymously. So, you can find comfort and support to overcome porn addiction and resulting issues such as ED. 3. Cognitive behaviour strategies Activities such as exercise, meditation, and journaling can help you manage your cognitive responses. So, you will be able to not only refrain from porn consumption but also have a better emotional state. As a result, your stress and anxiety about sexual performance can be resolved with cognitive-behavioural strategies. 4. Medical Treatments Medications such as Cialis, Viagra, Levitra, and Strendra may also be prescribed for addressing erectile dysfunction. However, these traditional methods of ED treatments might not be very effective if you do not address the underlying porn consumption issue. Recovery times for porn-induced erectile dysfunction vary from person to person. So, do not fall into the comparison trap and aggravate your performance anxiety. Can porn Affect Your Sexual Appetite? Porn consumption has a significant impact on your sexual appetite. For instance, Research has correlated porn use