Porn-Induced Erectile Dysfunction
Introduction
Men achieve erections from a neurochemical response that initiates arousal and an anatomical response that increases blood flow to the penis. Getting hard requires neurologic action and proper vascular function. When one or both processes are unsuccessful, a man experiences erectile dysfunction (ED).
Diagnostically, an erection that is too soft or not long-lasting enough for sex qualifies as ED. Fortunately, this condition is both common and treatable. Recent studies show climbing incidences of ED in men under 40. Some researchers partially link the trend to the rising use of pornography.
This article covers the symptoms of ED, how porn impacts the brain, and the link between porn and ED. Understanding the condition is vital. Erections provide a snapshot of an individual's emotional and physical health, and ED can result from many factors. It is critical to understand all of the possible contributing factors, including pornography use.
Symptoms of ED
The telltale symptom of ED is the inability to get and stay hard. The condition falls on a spectrum because each man has a different baseline erection. Some men have occasional softer-than-usual erections, and others cannot get hard at any time. Self-monitoring is key. Men must compare the state of their erections over an extended time frame to assess changes.
A diminished sex drive may also indicate ED. Anxiety and stress over the inability to get hard can dampen libido. For other men, conditions like low testosterone or depression, which lower libido, can contribute to ED. Sex drive changes day-to-day based on mood and general feelings, but a complete disinterest in sex is not typical.
ED places strain on relationships. Withdrawal from or friction with one's partner can be a warning sign of ED. Men with altered erections may disengage and experience depression or anxiety symptoms from their isolation and change in self-image.
How Does Porn Use Affect the Brain?
Studies are ongoing, but researchers believe porn causes desensitization. They propose that frequent use of hardcore pornography raises the exposure level needed for arousal. As a result, men who consume such porn rewire their brains to respond to increasingly extreme visual stimuli. They become desensitized to arousal, disrupting the neurochemical response in the brain.
Some doctors liken porn use to addictive narcotics, proposing that porn alters the "pleasure-reward" system in the brain. Studies show that dopamine, the neurotransmitter used to reinforce behavior, is released during porn use. As a result, the brain links sexual function with porn.
Some studies see a link between the use of pornography and difficulty responding to real-world stimuli. As a result, this can dampen arousal with partners and inhibit erections. Experts theorize that porn use over-develops men’s reliance on visual cues for sex. As a result, the other senses, which are vital to partnered sex, become less responsive.
Can Porn Use Cause ED?
Doctors and researchers are continuing to unravel the links between porn use and ED. There is some controversy in the field between those who argue porn directly leads to ED and those who believe the link is more nuanced. Regardless of the debate, there is strong anecdotal evidence of a connection. The rising trend of ED in younger men also warrants considering the impacts of porn.
The desensitizing effects of porn may cause ED. Individuals often require increasingly graphic pornography to get hard or have difficulty becoming erect at all.
Other doctors propose that porn causes psychological effects that impact a man's confidence and self-esteem. Researchers believe difficulty differentiating between the staged, exaggerated aspects of pornography and real-world sex may create anxiety for some men about their performance.
These feelings may inhibit the ability to achieve erections. Resulting anxieties could contribute to depression and social withdrawal, conditions that also contribute to or exacerbate ED.
How to Get Help for Porn-Induced ED
It is important to note that most cases of ED are complex and caused by a combination of emotional and physical factors. Porn is a non-organic cause of ED because it does not stem from an underlying internal health factor.
Doctors understand the role of porn in modern society and how it can affect their patients. If you experience ED, regardless of what you believe may be the cause, it's best to consult a trained physician. ED is a common symptom of many underlying health conditions. Getting evaluated will rule out a critical cardiovascular, hormonal, or metabolic issue.
The primary step to combatting porn-induced ED is to stop watching it. Abstinence from porn can help rebalance the chemical signals in your brain tied to arousal and sexual function. It also helps soften the overdeveloped reliance on visual cues for arousal. Detoxing from porn enables you to refocus on partnered relationships, easing ED symptoms as arousal reorients around the other senses.
Your doctor may also refer you to a trained sex therapist who can help you identify porn's effects and develop strategies for moving forward. While treating porn-induced ED can be challenging, it’s worthwhile.
See results on your first visit.
90% of the time ED can be treated and treated effectively.
March 20, 2023
Written By
Jake Peter
Fact-checked By
Dr. Avidon Appel
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