Porn-induced erectile dysfunction: How does it happen?

Men who have erectile dysfunction are unable to get or keep an erection long enough to engage in sexual intercourse.

An erection normally occurs when blood flow increases into the penis, causing it to expand and become firm.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has been increasing in sexually active men under 40. It seems as though internet porn is in some ways to blame for this rise, with studies showing a correlation between porn and ED.

Now, researchers have identified pornography-induced erectile dysfunction (PIED) and pornography-induced abnormally low libido.

High exposure to pornography videos can result in lower responsivity in a man and an increased need for more extreme or kinky material for him to become aroused.

Due to porn overload, some men are no longer aroused in the presence of a partner. They begin to experience ED and can only become sexually excited when watching porn.

The role of the brain

It is necessary to understand how the brain works to be able to understand why watching excessive amounts of porn can lead to ED.

Neurons are cells that receive and send messages between the body and the brain. The brain has about 100 billion neurons, which are the basic working units of the nervous system.

Neurotransmitters send chemical messages between the neurons. A neurotransmitter called dopamine helps the flow of information to the front of the brain, which is linked to thought and emotion. It is also linked to reward systems.

Brain cells are activated by what people see or hear. If a person receives a hug, the brain releases dopamine, which makes the person feel good. A person's response to natural rewards such as sex are largely regulated by the dopamine pathway as well.

Erections are dependent on the activation of this pathway. Dopamine signaling plays a crucial role in sexual arousal and erections.

Dopamine overload

When a person watches porn, their brain is flooded with dopamine. Too much dopamine can cause problems. The brain is overwhelmed by the overload of chemicals, and it automatically takes away some of the dopamine receptors.

Although the brain continues to release the same levels of dopamine in response to porn, eventually there are fewer receptors to receive the messages. Watching porn no longer arouses the person as much or as quickly. They then have to look at more porn or search for stronger porn to obtain the original sensation.

Sexual activities that would normally give people a burst of dopamine and make them happy are no longer enough to sustain them. They constantly have to look at porn to get the sensation they need, and this can lead to ED.

Many men find themselves unable to maintain an erection in the absence of porn. The internet and other avenues provide an unlimited amount of content, so some men begin to watch massive amounts of porn to maintain high levels of sexual arousal.

When they try to engage with a real sexual partner, the arousal they feel does not fit their expectations and they are unable to maintain an erection.

Porn-induced ED

Porn is designed to capture attention. The performers often do things that would typically not translate into real life. The men watching can become conditioned to this type of sexual arousal that does not carry over into real life sexual situations.

Men with PIED are unable to become sexually aroused with a partner, but have no difficulties while watching porn.

Regular sex no longer meets the person's expectations, resulting in a decline in dopamine. This can cause some men to no longer be "in the mood." Men who suffer from ED when in the presence of a partner but have no problems when watching porn are said to have PIED.

Studies have shown that some men with ED who watched porn were able to obtain a regular erection once the porn was removed.

However, the younger the age of the male when they begin to regularly watch porn, the greater the chance of it becoming their preference over partnered sex, and the less overall enjoyment they get.

PIED can also lead to other health problems. Many men recognize that there is a problem but are unable to break the cycle. They can become embarrassed or depressed when unable to perform with their partner, which can cause them to watch porn more.

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