What Is Porn Induced Erectile Dysfunction?

Family Medicine, Primary Care Roots Community Health Center, Hippo Education, Kameda Medical Center

Supervised by Kenji Taylor, MD

Porn induced erectile dysfunction is a term used when watching too much pornography is thought to make it harder for some men to initiate or maintain an erection in real-life situations.

Explanation

Porn induced erectile dysfunction refers to the idea that heavy or excessive viewing of online pornography might change the way the brain and body react during intimate moments. When someone watches a lot of porn, their brain can become used to the high levels of excitement and stimulation. This may cause normal levels of attraction or arousal during real-life relationships to seem less exciting, making it harder to get or maintain an erection. Some studies have found that young men who watch more pornography report more problems with sexual performance. However, this issue is complex because many things—like stress, anxiety, and relationship problems—can also affect how the body works during sex. If you think pornography might be affecting your ability to have an erection, it can help to talk with a doctor or counselor. They can work with you to understand the situation better and suggest ways to improve your sexual health and overall well-being.

(References)

Park BY, Wilson G, Berger J, Christman M, Reina B, Bishop F, Klam WP, Doan AP. Is Internet Pornography Causing Sexual Dysfunctions? A Review with Clinical Reports. Behav Sci (Basel). 2016 Aug 5;6(3):17. doi: 10.3390/bs6030017. Erratum in: Behav Sci (Basel). 2018 Jun 01;8(6):E55. doi: 10.3390/bs8060055. PMID: 27527226; PMCID: PMC5039517.
Jacobs T, Geysemans B, Van Hal G, Glazemakers I, Fog-Poulsen K, Vermandel A, De Wachter S, De Win G. Associations Between Online Pornography Consumption and Sexual Dysfunction in Young Men: Multivariate Analysis Based on an International Web-Based Survey. JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2021 Oct 21;7(10):e32542. doi: 10.2196/32542. PMID: 34534092; PMCID: PMC8569536.
Adarsh H, Sahoo S. Pornography and Its Impact on Adolescent/Teenage Sexuality. Journal of Psychosexual Health. 2023;5(1):35-39. doi:10.1177/26318318231153984

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