Is porn leading to an increase in erectile dysfunction?

Historically, most men come to the doctor with erectile dysfunction issues later in life and it’s due to physical medical issues, such as diabetes, MS or cardiovascular disease.

But several specialists say they’ve seen an increase in erectile dysfunction among young men, and they believe the issue is not physical, but psychological: Many young men are becoming addicted to watching porn, and it could be affecting their sexual performance.

“Due to the pornography available on the Internet, we are finding out that this type of sex dysfunction is a real entity,” Dr. David B. Samadi, chairman of the urology department and chief of robotic surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, told Everyday Health. “It is a problem in the brain, not the penis.”

Samadi said porn addiction could theoretically harm someone of any age’s sexual performance, but that he mostly sees it among young men in their teens and 20s. About 40 million adults in the U.S. visit porn websites on a regular basis, according to Psych Guides.

“These younger men do not have organic disease, they’ve already been tested by their (general practitioner) and everything is fine,” Angela Gregory, a psychosexual therapist, told the BBC. “So one of the first assessment questions I’d always ask now is about pornography and masturbatory habit because that can be the cause of their issues about maintaining an erection with a partner.”

There are no official studies that have proven a link between porn consumption habits and erectile dysfunction at a young age, but several specialists point to porn as the cause for an increase among their younger patients.

“In my particular practice, I will say 15 to 20 percent of the erectile dysfunction I see is related to porn consumption,” Dr. Muhammed Mirza, an internist based in Jersey City, told Everyday Health.

Samadi compared the issue to alcohol. Someone who drinks more and more alcohol eventually builds up a tolerance and needs more to feel the effects. Additionally, porn can set up unrealistic expectations for reality.

“You need more and more stimulation as you build up this tolerance, and then comes your reality with a wife or partner, and you may not be able to perform,” Samadi said.

There is no pill to help the psychological issue, experts warn. In another parallel to alcohol, Samadi says the treatment process is similar to a 12-step program and involves desensitization, therapy and more time spent with a partner.

This story was originally published August 15, 2016 at 10:35 AM with the headline "Is porn leading to an increase in erectile dysfunction?."