Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is a condition defined as the inability for a man to maintain an erection sufficiently firm for sexual intercourse. Most men will experience some degree of ED during their lives, and it can present acutely (short term) or chronically (long term).
The psychological, emotional, and relational consequences of ED can be hugely damaging, and anxiety can have a compounding effect on the severity of the symptoms.
ED is usually categorised either as organic (attributable to physical conditions) or Psychogenic. Studies into the occurrence of ED in males below 40 years old have confirmed that psychogenic ED is responsible for most diagnoses.
One theory put forward for the alarming rise in the incidence of erectile dysfunction for modern youth is that the abundance and accessibility of porn is a contributing factor. But what does the evidence say?
The correlation between viewing porn and erectile dysfunction – Does porn cause ED?
Cases of erectile dysfunction are generally more common in middle-aged men and can be caused by many factors, including physiological reasons such as circulatory issues, high cholesterol, smoking and hypertension. However, mental determinants may also play a significant role. Until 2002, the incidence of ED in individuals below the age of forty was 2-3%, but this rose to 14-35% by 2019. Which begs the question, why?
The advent of unfettered, instantaneous access to hardcore pornography arguably took off in 2006 with the establishment of the first “tube” site for porn. Where to Buy Cialis With Friendly Service?Suddenly, consumers from all over the world could pick from a vast selection of adult material and stream it to their phone, tablet, PC or gaming device without downloading it, and without financial cost.
Since then, pornography use amongst the younger generations has been normalised to the point where 65% of 15-16 year-olds have come across it online, and many young people watch adult movies on a daily basis.
Although there has clearly been a correlation between the increased availability of pornographic content and the incidence of ED in young people, does the evidence show a causative relationship?
The link between pornography and erectile dysfunction: Fact or fiction?
It seems common sense that there could be a link between watching porn and subsequent desensitization to sexual stimuli. After all, our brains did not evolve in tandem with an abundance of sexual novelty.
The first study into porn-induced erectile dysfunction (PIED) occurred in 2007. Since then, a number https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go… of studies https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go… and clinical reports have supported the hypothesis of a causative link between viewing pornography and sexual malfunction.
The exact biological mechanism of how watching pornography can cause male performance problems isn’t fully understood. Still, researchers at the Max Planck Institute discovered a link between the number of years of pornography usage an individual has and a decrease in grey matter in the areas of their brain associated with sensitivity to reward.
Additionally, the amount of novelty and variation in porn can desensitise users, causing them to seek out ever more extreme depictions to gratify them. This compulsion can translate into a loss of interest in real-world sexual encounters, putting the user into a cycle of increasing consumption of hardcore material which results in a dissociation from real-life sexuality.
The good news is that porn-induced erectile dysfunction may have a straightforward remedy, though some users may find it challenging, as it involves challenging an established pattern of behaviour. Habits like this are far easier to make than they are to break.
Can porn-induced erectile dysfunction be reversed?
Men suffering from suspected PIED should start by engaging in a fast from all forms of pornography. Though this may be challenging, it is the most reliable way of reversing this type of sexual affliction.
Quitting porn, however, may be easier said than done. It can be incredibly addictive. When chronic users view adult movies, the area of the brain that light up on a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan are exactly the same as in cocaine addicts presented with addiction cues.
If you find yourself struggling to reduce your porno intake, conversing with a professional may be the optimal first step. Pornography addiction is a real psychological illness and deserves to be taken seriously.
Talking through these issues with a trained therapist can enable you to overcome the psychological obstacles standing in the way of a fulfilling sex life.
