Recently a couple approached me for help with infertility, but with an unusual cause- Erectile Dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction or ED is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse. Problems with erections may stem from medications, chronic illnesses like diabetes, alcohol consumption, or fatigue. However, erectile dysfunction has another cause that many couples do not discuss openly.  Internet pornography- induced erectile dysfunction is a growing issue for many men, even as young as 20 year old guys!  Did you know that pornography is similar to drug addiction? In fact, “Addiction to pornography is chemically nearly identical to a heroin addiction.” (Dr. Jeffrey Satinover.) msinsight ED suggests that the lack of sexual performance occurs with heavy Internet pornography users, because they are numbing or desensitizing their brain’s normal response to pleasure.

It all makes sense when we consider pornography as an addiction. The typical path of the drug addict is more, more, more and the same goes for the pornography addict. You can see the progression…endless access to hard core porn just isn’t enough to satisfy the dopamine demands of the brain, so it escalates from there to progressively deviant sexual acts to achieve the same effect.

Not convinced? Italian urologists, Carlo Foresta (head of the Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine and professor at the University of Padua), confirmed an erectile dysfunction-porn use connection via a large survey. Dr. Foresta mentioned that 70 percent of the young men his clinic treated for sexual performance problems had been using Internet pornography heavily.

If you or someone you know suffers from porn-induced erectile dysfunction, not all hope is lost! It is reversible with extreme dedication, but worth every effort to preserve our most meaningful relationships.

Watch this: The Great Porn Experiment http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSF82AwSDiU&feature=youtu.be

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Related articles:

50 Shades of Grey and Women as Objects of (Violent) Pleasure

Psychologist Says Porn is Producing a Nation of Male Misfits

Middle Schoolers Suspended for Watching Porn in Class

Melissa L. Foley is a nationally-recognized Christian Infertility Coach, FertilityCare Practitioner Intern and motivational speaker with a passion to serve Christian couples on their infertility journey.