Does Porn Cause Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?

Scientists are still figuring out whether porn can cause erectile dysfunction (ED), an inability to maintain an erection in people who have penises. Emerging research indicates that porn use is causing more people under 40 to experience (ED). But that doesn't prove causation, and many people watch porn as part of a healthy sexual lifestyle.

ED happens when a person has trouble getting or keeping an erection that is hard enough for penetrative sex. ED has physical, mental, and emotional causes, which sometimes intertwine to cause a person trouble with getting their penis hard. 

This article discusses what researchers know about whether porn causes ED and what you should do if porn is interfering with your sex life. 

Porn and Erectile Dysfunction

Pornography is a controversial topic and brings up moral issues for some people. Despite that, the use of porn is pervasive.

One study found over half of a sample of university students reported having watched porn. Some estimates put the rates much higher; among 941 Australians included in a 2017 study, 87% said they had viewed porn. Porn has become much more pervasive in recent years with the proliferation of online porn streaming sites, which began launching around 2006.

Soon after these “porn-tube” sites became prevalent, researchers noticed that ED in younger people was becoming more common. Around 2000, rates of ED in men who were under 40 were around 2% to 5%. By 2011, studies were reporting that 14% to 28% of men under 40 were experiencing ED.

It’s important to note that this correlation does not necessarily mean that porn use is causing erectile dysfunction. However, it does have researchers examining a possible link between porn and ED.

How Does It Happen?

Erectile dysfunction is typically associated with aging. At age 40, about 40% of men experience ED at least minimally and 5% have complete ED. By age 70, it affects 70% to some extent and 15% have complete ED. The increase with age represents a fourfold rise in ED among men in their 70s, when compared with men in their 20s.

Erectile dysfunction is linked with underlying physical issues, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, and neurological disorders. However, the causes of erectile dysfunction can also be mental or emotional. Men who are under stress or who feel pressured to perform might experience ED. Further, the ED itself can lead to loss of self-esteem, shame, anxiety, and depression.

Young people who experience porn-induced ED do not have underlying physical health conditions in most cases. However, researchers believe that watching porn may change how they experience sexual stimulation and satisfaction. 

Porn and the Brain

Although sex involves physical activity, sexual arousal starts in the brain. In response to sexual stimuli, the brain releases a neurotransmitter that causes the penis to get hard. 

Researchers have hypothesized that the increased exposure to porn causes people to be less reactive to sexual stimuli.

One study found that people who had watched porn for more years had less gray matter in the part of their brains associated with reward sensitivity. According to this theory, people who watch a lot of porn may not be as sexually aroused by real-life sexual encounters, which could cause ED. 

Another study found that men who use porn may develop a preference for masturbation while using porn, rather than desiring partnered sex. The unrealistic depiction of penises and the male body in porn may contribute to performance anxiety or body insecurity that can make it difficult for a person to get or maintain an erection.

Additional Causes

It’s important to rule out other causes of erectile dysfunction beyond porn-induced ED. About 80% of ED cases in men under 40 have psychological origins, but these are not all related to porn. Other mental and emotional factors, like being depressed, anxious, or stressed, can also cause ED. 

About 15% to 20% of ED cases in young people have underlying physical causes. These can include:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Smoking
• Obesity

Diabetes and obesity, in particular, may be associated with low testosterone, which can contribute to secondary ED.

Can Porn Be Healthy?

Although porn can be harmful to some people, others report that watching porn is beneficial to their sex lives, both individually and with a partner.

According to one study, the top two reasons for watching porn are an increased sex drive and enhanced sexual performance. Another study found that only 3% to 8% of porn users reported problems associated with using porn.

Only you and your partner can decide what level of porn watching is healthy within your relationship. However, if you notice that you are having difficulties maintaining an erection during sexual contact, or if you prefer porn to real-life sexual encounters, it’s likely time to reevaluate your usage.

How Is Erectile Dysfunction Treated?

If you are experiencing porn-induced ED, it's important for your healthcare provider to make the connection with your porn use as an underlying cause. Some studies find that treatments commonly used for ED, called PDE5 inhibitors, may be less effective when the ED is porn-induced.

Other treatments for erectile dysfunction include lifestyle changes and medical treatment, such as:

• Getting more exercise
• Quitting smoking
• Eating healthy
• Using medications like Viagra or Cialis, which help support blood flow to the penis

Porn Addiction and Seeking Help

Some people might need guidance in overcoming their porn-induced ED. Talking with a sexual health professional or counselor can help if your symptoms persist even after you’ve stopped watching porn. 

However, if you’re watching porn too much for your own comfort level and feel unable to stop, it’s a good idea to speak with a sexual health counselor. You can also talk openly with your partner or a trusted friend about how they can support you in reducing or eliminating your porn use.

Summary

There’s not yet a definitive link between porn use and erectile dysfunction. Research evidence suggests an increase in ED in younger age groups since streaming internet porn became available, but there are many other risk factors for ED (and ways the condition is treated).

Some people find that reducing their porn consumption can reduce their episodes of ED. But other steps, like exercising and eating healthy, may also help. Talk with your partner about how much porn should be a part of your healthy sex life.

Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider, too, to rule out any physical causes of ED, like diabetes or high blood pressure. They can prescribe medications to help you get and maintain an erection.