Porn and ED: Myth or Reality?

[DrHappy]

There is a school of thought that I’ve seen that seems to blame virtually every instance of erectile dysfunction on porn. Promoters of this theory are usually advocates of the “your brain on porn” ideas. If you aren’t familiar with this, do an internet search on that phrase and you’ll see stuff about porn rewiring your brain and causing all sorts of problems.

However, it seems like many people here have positive attitudes about porn (and view porn a lot), and I don’t see many complaints about erectile dysfunction here. I’d expect half the threads to be about dealing with ED, but they aren’t. From personal experience, I’ve viewed a variety of erotic materials for a very long time without experiencing ANY erectile problems, despite having occasional prostate problems. As I approached 50, I finally experienced some problems, but they seemed to be more related to medications than anything else…. and maybe getting old. I switched meds, and the problem went away.

I’ve wondered why there seem to be so many people quick to jump on blaming porn for everything. Maybe feeling like a victim is more pleasing than facing the fact that they are experiencing an age-related health problem? Or maybe I'm an anomaly?

What are your experiences? Every had any ED problems caused by porn? Or are you skeptical?

 

[randy4123]

Boioioing

Have heard this theory as well but based on my personal experience it has the exact opposite effect!

 

[Tomahawk26]

I don't know why doctors would report record numbers of porn-related ED in young men (college age, if I properly remember the article I read) if it weren't true. I think the biggest issue, and what people who are currently in their 30s or older can't relate to, is the availability of very extreme porn now available on the internet to REALLY young people. I truly don't think our brains are meant to handle that kind of stimulus at a young age. It used to be that 12-13 year old boys would find a random Playboy or run-of-the-mill vanilla porn tape in their dads' stashes--now a veritable cornucopia of filth is available to them with a few keystrokes. Personally, I think that's dangerous, and I do believe that too-early and continuous, escalating exposure could easily lead to desensitization. I also think the way certain behaviors become hard-wired over time, like reliance on a specific visual stimulus to be aroused (i.e. not being able to use your imagination or learn to interact with a real partner), is probably involved as well. As I said, I think these things are likely more the issue for young (younger than 30, I'd say) ED sufferers--probably not middle-aged ones.

 

[HoldYouDown]

There is a school of thought that I’ve seen that seems to blame virtually every instance of erectile dysfunction on porn.

EVERY instance? That doesn't sound scientific to me.

A little porn is okay - beyond that, it's damaging - in my opinion.

Its abundance on the internet can cause serious problems, especially for men (the more visually-oriented sex). I believe it can create a false sense of variety and conquest where there is, in fact, zero. Exclusive sexual "satisfaction" from porn, again in my opinion, is fool's gold.

But then what do I know? We're on the verge of a VR and sex-bot revolution. I don't think those can replace the real thing (not yet anyway).

Remember also that behind every porn image is some corporation getting filthy rich because it knows that men will click, click, click.

I consider porn an indulgence, like ice cream, alcohol, or weed. Habitual intake can be hazardous.

 

[LikesToGive]

There is a school of thought that I’ve seen that seems to blame virtually every instance of erectile dysfunction on porn. Promoters of this theory are usually advocates of the “your brain on porn” ideas. If you aren’t familiar with this, do an internet search on that phrase and you’ll see stuff about porn rewiring your brain and causing all sorts of problems.

However, it seems like many people here have positive attitudes about porn (and view porn a lot), and I don’t see many complaints about erectile dysfunction here. I’d expect half the threads to be about dealing with ED, but they aren’t. From personal experience, I’ve viewed a variety of erotic materials for a very long time without experiencing ANY erectile problems, despite having occasional prostate problems. As I approached 50, I finally experienced some problems, but they seemed to be more related to medications than anything else…. and maybe getting old. I switched meds, and the problem went away.

I’ve wondered why there seem to be so many people quick to jump on blaming porn for everything. Maybe feeling like a victim is more pleasing than facing the fact that they are experiencing an age-related health problem? Or maybe I'm an anomaly?

What are your experiences? Every had any ED problems caused by porn? Or are you skeptical?

I think that just about anything in moderation cannot be too detrimental. Porn does seem to get a lot of the blame for many things.

If you use porn to the extreme then there may be the chance I guess that it might make you not able to enjoy sex or feel sexual pleasure outside of it.

Using it as a complete substitute for actual human contact may not be the best path to take. It could lead to emotional and/or psychological problems.

But if you just use it to enhance and not to the extremes then I am not sure what actual bad can come directly from it.

The only thing that would be different is if you are with a partner and he/she does not want you to use it/use it as much. This then is something which perhaps needs to be discussed. The feelings of who you are with should be important.

Edging is another aspect which could be looked at. I have been doing this for quite awhile now. There is some literature out there which suggests that doing this too much can make you too sensitive and not able to enjoy sex and sexual pleasure outside of it.

So the key is perhaps not to do it too much. Still it is something which trains you to hold off longer. So it could prove to be something enjoyable for your partner in crime. Not to mention your own self.

In the end we all are in control of ourselves. Sure the porn is out there. But it is very unlikely that it can directly cause physical problems all by itself.

Otherwise it would suggest that all who have this just watch too much porn. That seems almost preposterous.

 

[pplwatching]

I can't speak to the "research", but in my personal experience yes to some degree. If we've been going through a dry spell and I spend a lot of time clicking through porn then I sometimes need a little time to get my bearings again in real life.

Porn has some unique facets. First, it's always available and never says "not tonight, dear". Second, from the minute I type in the URL or click on a "Favorite clip link" I can go from 0 to 120 in 0 seconds flat. There's no seduction, no foreplay, no slow build up of arousal, and no need to spend even a passing thought about how to titillate and arouse my wife. I don't have to do any of that, or enjoy my wife doing it to me. Just turn it on and get turned on watching whatever I want. Second, if whatever I'm watching at T + n seconds is too slow or isn't arousing, just click ahead or click on another clip. Third (crappy video clips aside), I can usually find something that I like and find arousing and there's no shortage of new and different - although I always seem to drift to certain kinds of clips.

There is no way that my wife can compete with that. As much as I rationalize getting a fix because we haven't been getting busy in a while sometimes, it definitely has a downside. I would much rather have sex with my wife, but when we do get back to finding time (and desire) for intimacy with each other I do sometimes notice a difference between the porn 'high' and the sexual high I get with her. They are different highs, with different work/reward ratios (if that makes any sense). Sometimes our established routine doesn't keep my interest the way that it used to, and I cool off. Maybe it's part Coolidge Effect, but it takes a while to adjust to the slow buildup and eventual release of human to human sex with a long time partner.

Finally, if I miss cues and get my timing wrong then I may "help myself" only to discover that she is receptive, and not be firing on cylinders. Combine that with the normal effects of age, and I can see where it could be interpreted as occasional ED. I try not to spend too much time getting wrapped up in porn.

I think that I can see how a young man with only the high of porn as previous experience could easily not be able to form a romantic bond with a woman, or be able to stay interested in a relationship that develops that predictable canter of romantic sex. If that's all he (or she) knows and has become wired for, then I think it would be tragically all to easy to not be able to perform with a woman.

My $.02, but completely unscientific.

 

[Privates1stClass]

There is a school of thought that I’ve seen that seems to blame virtually every instance of erectile dysfunction on porn.

Sure, and masturbation can cause you to go blind and grow hair on the palms of your hands. I think the myth that porn and ED are related is in the same basket as masturbation.

There's no way to measure ED scientifically. As you age, your dick loses steam just like your new car does when it hits 100,000 miles.

 

[pplwatching]

There's no way to measure ED scientifically. As you age, your dick loses steam just like your new car does when it hits 100,000 miles.

There are many known reasons why we lose steam, most of which can be measured. Getting a hard on primarily involve blood flow, and the most common causes of ED in older men are conditions that block blood flow to the penis. Like atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cholesterol. If my wife makes my blood boil, but I can't get or stay hard then a Dr. can diagnose ED on a reasonably scientific basis. If she can't find a physiological cause, then it's reasonable to conclude that there may be a psychological one.

If a flesh and blood woman doesn't bring on a railroad spike in a twenty-something (or younger), but a Barby doll figure porn contortionist does then I think it's reasonable to draw some conclusions.

Anyway, I think it's important not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

 

[sexnovella]

Skeptical.

Skeptical.

 

[BareBackRider2]

Not something I've experienced but i could understand a degree of desensitization.

 

[maxpower33]

Most seems to associate ED issues with middle aged men or older and quickly dispel that porn had any result in the issue. It's not those that are making the claims, it's the growing younger generation below the age of 30 and even those in their prime years of late teens early 20s experiences forms of ED. I think many of those who are quick to be skeptical would certainly raise red flags if they experience a recurring issue in their younger years. Looking at a playboy for a teenager would be boring in this digital age, they are expecting to view hard-core HD video and an infinite amount of categories.

 

[DrHappy]

Originally Posted by DrHappy View Post
There is a school of thought that I’ve seen that seems to blame virtually every instance of erectile dysfunction on porn.

EVERY instance? That doesn't sound scientific to me.

To clarify, I'm referring to opinions and apparent consensus in other relationship-based forums, not scientific studies. In one particular sex-positive religious forum, it is extremely rare to find an instance where someone didn’t use the word “addiction” when referring to either themselves or their spouse and their use of porn. It wasn’t a “habit” or “use”. It was always an addiction. This is a forum that is generally fine with things like masturbation, anal sex, spanking, bondage, creampie eating, etc..., but porn and non-marital sex are not allowed to be discussed in a positive manner there. Maybe watching porn without having an addiction meant a conscious choice, which would be character flaw. An addiction meant that they didn’t have a choice, and thus they were actually a victim of porn.

 

[DrHappy]

After looking deeper into this, it gets more interesting…. though the evidence seems to be towards the “myth” conclusion for most cases. The “Your Brain On Porn” has been a source for much of the alarm. The founder of the website has a TED talk, and the main website promote his book (nothing wrong with that in itself).

Another source of this school of thought seems to be from a “Psychology Today” article and a blog post there. The blog post that started it all was written by Gary Wilson, the creator of the YourBrainOnPorn site. Interesting coincidence. The Psychology Today website is also happy to help you “Find a Therapist” as well.

The DailyMail had an article back in 2012 with the quote:

'Instead, many are becoming convinced that erectile dysfunction at 20-something is normal,' she said.

I wonder if the dramatic increase in medications to treat ED might be a factor in the beliefs that this is normal.

I’ve found various rebuttals to the TED Talk from various academics. I’m paraphrasing, but they generally say things like Yes, porn “rewires” the brain, but so does everything else. That’s how the brain works. Riding a bicycle rewires your brain.

Interestingly, Psychology Today itself has lots of rebuttals to that earlier article. Here’s one.

Here’s a quote from an LA Times article:

In a paper published Monday in the journal Sexual Medicine, researchers found that more hours spent viewing pornographic stimuli was "unrelated to erectile functioning with a partner, and was related to stronger desire for sex with a partner."

Sure, some people will get addicted to anything, and yes, anything taken to extremely is usually a bad thing.

 

[Hypoxia]

'Addicted' and 'habituated' are not the same. Addiction involves a physical withdrawal reaction -- your physiology shifts when an addictive substance is withdrawn. Habituation is psychological. You may form a habit of any substance, action, thought, whatever. Calling a habit 'addictive' cheapens the serious term, like willing-wimp wittols labeling themselves as victimized cuckolds. Opiates are addictive. Pr0n is habituating. They're distinct.

 

[naughtoldperv]

'Addicted' and 'habituated' are not the same. Addiction involves a physical withdrawal reaction -- your physiology shifts when an addictive substance is withdrawn. Habituation is psychological. You may form a habit of any substance, action, thought, whatever. Calling a habit 'addictive' cheapens the serious term, like willing-wimp wittols labeling themselves as victimized cuckolds. Opiates are addictive. Pr0n is habituating. They're distinct.

\

Yes, very well put!

 

[DudeA]

You should watch this video:

The great porn experiment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSF82AwSDiU

 

[justherhusband]

Most seems to associate ED issues with middle aged men or older and quickly dispel that porn had any result in the issue. It's not those that are making the claims, it's the growing younger generation below the age of 30 and even those in their prime years of late teens early 20s experiences forms of ED. I think many of those who are quick to be skeptical would certainly raise red flags if they experience a recurring issue in their younger years. Looking at a playboy for a teenager would be boring in this digital age, they are expecting to view hard-core HD video and an infinite amount of categories.

Interesting that this is exactly the same demographic that has skyrocketing usage of Xanax, Zoloft, Welbutrin, Ritalin, etc, etc....

Haven't seen the peer reviewed, double blind studies data myself, but it would have to control for the huge percentage of this age group on these drugs.

 

[Ambro1409]

I'm a 20-something (26) and I actually think there's some fact to this. I've been wanking hard to porn for the last decade and change, and I've noticed in the last 6-7 years it's getting harder and harder for me to get hard and stay hard with a woman than it is when I'm just rubbing one out. Sometimes it's advantageous. I can sport a 3/4 wood and fuck forever. Other times.. I can't sport wood at all. That's more common at the beginning of a relationship, though. Could very well be anxiety and not a porn-related psychological condition.

I am also a drinker and a smoker, though, so that could be a contributing factor. In the interest of science, I need to make it clear that I'm an alcoholic and a pack a day smoker. lol I do think, in part, it has to do with the amount of porn I watch. Including how hardcore it is. Things in "real life" just aren't as exciting as that, and I'm wondering if maybe that's playing a role in the quality of my erections. Food for thought, anyhow!

I will say it's terrifying being 26 and occasionally struggling to sport proper wood.

 

[Ambro1409]

Interesting that this is exactly the same demographic that has skyrocketing usage of Xanax, Zoloft, Welbutrin, Ritalin, etc, etc....

Haven't seen the peer reviewed, double blind studies data myself, but it would have to control for the huge percentage of this age group on these drugs.

I will add, that I've never taken any of these. I had a meth problem when I was 17-18, I had a coke problem for a year or so ending about 5 months ago (my step-sister died of cancer and I just pissed away 10 grand in savings on the white powder to cover up the pain). I smoke weed very occasionally.

In the interest of science. lol

 

[SlutAddicted]

I think that porn does give us a distorted and impossible view of what real sex should be like. But accepted society also projects a sanitized view of what sex should be like and which a lot of people (mostly men) find boring.

Where is the line between wanting something unrealistically raunchy and simply no longer being prepared to accept something unrealistically mundane? Were old school views of sex more "right" and constructive or did they simply represent the suppression of our sexuality through the absence of options?

Some guys are lost in a never never land of perversion. Others would shut the computer off in a heartbeat if their wives would put on some sexy lingerie and offer up a sexual experience that hasn't been pre-approved by her mom and the pope.

To the extent that we entertain the notion that porn re-wires the brain we should also consider the possibility that it helps reveal some wiring that was always there but we weren't willing to see previously.

 

[suckonsimon]

As the guy on here who hosts a thread about Herbal Vs among other things ...

I'm 63 this year.
I never even comprehended what it might be to not get a boner with a delicious woman, until I was 50, and even then it was only occasional and I could get past the slow beginning. And that was not for lack of sex through 20s, 30s and 40s I can tell you.

Different now, hence the thread.

And I never saw any porn at all until my grown-up son started leaving it around a bit.

Just an anecdote at the other end of the spectrum, which may or may not be helpful. Please, I'm not bragging here. I'm just putting in my two penny-worth into a conversation worth having I guess.

 

[LIVINRFANTASIES]

Denny

This is great to know. Now I don't feel so badly sueing Literotica and the other porn sites I'm addicted to.
It has nothing to do with me being 77 years old, on several blood pressure meds, having heart failure seven years ago, 70+ years of daily masturbation which wore my penis out and caused it to loose feeling, and many other personal things.

If we read it on the internet and doctors say it's true, it must be true.

 

[DrHappy]

There also "studies" that claim that there is also an epidemic in type 2 diabetes in young adults. Correlation doesn't prove causation, but I would think that this could be a more likely reason. The arterial damage that goes with diabetes goes hand in hand with ED problems.