Researchers at the Kinsey Institute were among the first to establish a link between porn addiction, low libido and erectile dysfunction. In 2007, they conducted a study of a population working in bars and saunas streaming porn videos and found that half of the subjects showed no excitement at the pornographic images offered during the lab experiments. Repeated exposure to porn content would therefore induce progressive desensitization, a decrease in sexual responsiveness. Thus, to obtain a total erection, porn addicts would be in the imperative need to watch more and more extreme content. To cure porn addiction this is most essential now.
What the Studies Show
Since this study, online pornography has increasingly been cited as a crucial part of the upsurge in male sexual disorders. On the famous American forum specializing in discussions around ED, 60% of the 3,962 visitors in distress were under 25 years old and the analysis of their posts and comments showed that the porn item was by far the most used. In 2015, a study carried out among fourth-year students demonstrated a link between regular pornography consumption and loss of sexual desire. Among those who indulged in pornography more than once a week, 16% admitted to feeling a drop in libido. In the same group, non-users appeared to suffer no decrease in desire. Another study produced the same year and targeting 40-year-old men (defined as hypersexual seeking treatment) indulging in masturbation porn for more than seven hours per week, found that 71% of them showed signs of sexual disorders and in particular for 33% of the difficulties to reach the orgasm. Note that the anxiety associated with the fear of not being sexually efficient could promote a dependence on solitary pleasure.
The Right Understanding About the Issue
While many studies have shed light on the links between pornography consumption and sexual disorders, others have claimed the opposite. The distribution of pornographic contents online, their ease of access, their incredible diversity, are new realities and we lack perspective to understand the exact influences on sexuality. 400 years ago, tobacco was introduced to Europe as a medicinal plant with multiple virtues. Today the debates turn more readily around its harmfulness than its virtues. In any case, hindsight was essential to correctly assess the effects of nicotine on health. What is true for tobacco, is true for alcohol, drugs and online pornography is no exception.
The Complications of Sexuality Disorders
Sexuality disorders in young men are rightly questioning. Hypotheses are made, supported by studies which retain certain criteria and rule out others. But to be relevant, research on porn addiction and its consequences on sexual health will have to take into account the motivations, the social context, the health context, the history, the personality of the individuals and not only the number of hours. It walked past a screen watching porn.
Overexposure to pornographic content and supernormal stimuli
The notion of variation in stimuli is essential for understanding the brain’s expectations for arousal. Exposure to new porn content has been shown to trigger a stronger erection, faster and fuller ejaculation than exposure to previously known material. This fact can be explained by a programming of sexual behaviors, based on the concept of partner variation, the aim of which would be to optimize the reproductive process. Pornography via the net, which offers the possibility of a constant renewal of videos and genres, would fit perfectly into this pattern of sexual arousal.
