Erectile dysfunction (ED), often referred to as impotence, is when a man is unable to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. ED can happen occasionally to any man, particularly in times of stress. But when it happens frequently, it can be a sign of a health issue that needs treating. A man might also be suffering from emotional difficulties or difficulty with his partner if he is experiencing ED regularly. It’s a distressing problem and can really affect a man’s self-confidence, as well as his partner’s.
While it is well-known that certain medical conditions and even performance anxiety can cause erectile dysfunction, many people are asking themselves if porn is also responsible for it.
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What the studies show
A study in Italy found that teenage boys who watched pornography experienced a loss of appetite for natural sexual encounters. Additionally, in recent years, more and more young men are experiencing ED and are looking for help. They often turn to Viagra and similar drugs which are usually intended for older men. According to the study, one in four patients who sought help for ED were under the age of 40. This might suggest that porn may be one of the factors of ED in younger men.
However, not all experts are of the opinion that porn can lead to ED. Several other studies have been conducted which showed no relationship at all between pornography and erectile functioning. One study showed that men who watched porn on a “moderate” level reported more ED than those who engaged in “high” or “low” use. In fact, a different study actually showed that men who watched porn experienced stronger sexual arousal. The study did find men where this was not the case and it noted that these men were more conservative or in relationships. This would suggest perhaps that the ED doesn’t come from porn itself, but rather from the guilt associated with watching it.
Based on these results, we can conclude that even if porn is one of the possible causes for erectile dysfunction, it is very unlikely that it is the only factor at play.
Can pornography affect your personal life?
It seems like porn does not cause ED. It could be that often men who watch porn and are suffering from ED have other factors that are influencing their sexual activity. Or it can also be that men who have ED turn to porn looking for some sort of sexual activity. Either way, there does seem to be a connection between porn and sexual appetite.
To understand the connection, we must first understand how the brain reacts to porn. The brain works by connecting pleasurable events and the desire to repeat this behavior. So if you feel great after exercise, a workout or romance with your partner, it will create a chemical rush to motivate you to do these things again. And that is what happens when someone watches pornography.
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But is this a problem?
It can be. Some people who watch porn find they can’t get suitably turned on without it. Much like Holiwood romances aren’t real, pornography depicts unrealistic sexual encounters which may lead to unrealistic expectations. This might not necessarily cause ED, but it certainly affects a person’s intimate life.
On the other side, it may cause someone’s partner to feel inadequate. They may feel like they cannot please their partner anymore and that their body isn’t good enough. Some feel uncomfortable and even hurt when they see their partner needs to watch porn in order to feel aroused. It might even put a stop to their sex life altogether.
In fact, people who watch porn might also see their own body as lacking after seeing other “perfect” bodies. They might be feeling frustrated that they can’t maintain the same level of performance. This can lead to performance anxiety, which is a true cause of ED.
Conclusion
Overall, it seems like watching pornography is not a direct cause of erectile dysfunction. Watching too much porn might eventually lead to performance anxiety which then can cause erectile dysfunction. And it is likely that watching porn might desensitize someone to regular, real-life sexual arousal. Guilt also plays a large role, particularly if someone’s partner is not supportive of watching porn.
But what we at TestoCreams really want to know is, what do YOU think? Has pornography affected your sex life? Does it cause performance anxiety? Let us know in the comments below!
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