The Impact Of Porn Addiction On Men

It’s no secret or surprise that men and women have different takes on pornography use. Most men are more than comfortable indulging in pornographic material, whereas women are slightly more reserved. In fact, men are six times more likely to spend time viewing pornography than their female counterparts. They’re also at higher risk of developing an addiction.

With over 4% of men considering themselves porn addicts, this type of addiction affects men more so than women. This is also evident in Stop Together’s online porn addiction therapy, whose audience is 95% male. Here we’ll explore exactly how porn addiction impacts men and ways to overcome it.

Inability to Perform During Sex

In some cases, porn addiction acts like a catch-22 for men. If you’re a man who uses porn and masturbation for sexual release and pleasure, you might be surprised to learn that watching porn in excess may negatively impact your ability to perform in the bedroom. 

Porn-induced erectile dysfunction occurs when viewing too much pornographic material changes the way your brain reacts to sexual stimulation. In time, it may become more difficult for a man to become sexually aroused by their real-life partner. Using sex toys and vibrators can make matters worse since these accessories can desensitize important nerve endings in the penis.  

Development of Mental Disorders

Stress reduction and tension release are the two most common reasons men view pornography and masturbate. Having an orgasm triggers the human brain to release endorphins and other chemicals like serotonin which elicit feelings of relaxation, happiness, and calm. It’s this chemical reaction that becomes addicting, with some men becoming dependent on it. As with most addictions, over time, the same level of stimulation won’t elicit the same reaction. Your brain will crave more. This could lead to you watching more frequently or being tempted to watch more extreme forms of pornography, including taboo or even illegal content. 

In addition to developing a dependency, porn addiction in men can also lead to depression and anxiety. Viewing pornography is often a very private experience. Porn addicts are hesitant to share their secret behaviors with anyone unless they seek therapy for their addiction. Because viewing porn can be an isolating experience, addicts sometimes avoid socializing, lose touch with friends and family, and develop feelings of sadness and hopelessness. The guilt and shame of hiding your addiction, as well as the addiction itself, can cause anxiety and additional stress.

If you’re a man suffering from ED or difficulty performing in the bedroom, you may feel less confident, which can also lead to depression. 

Changes in Personality

In addition to physical and mental changes, men addicted to porn may experience extreme mood swings and irritability, resulting in changes in their normal behavior and personality. This happens for several reasons.

For starters, the inability to indulge in your urges to view pornography may cause you to feel anxious. You may lash out at others, lose your patience more easily, and experience sudden mood swings. One reason for this is the lack of physical release you’ve become dependent on. Not being able to view pornography and masturbate for stress relief can cause increased anxiety and irritability. 

Lying about porn addiction is also very common. While, at the moment, you may be okay with your decision to hide your addiction and even deceive those closest to you, this shame can wear on you. Over time, you’ll feel increasingly guilty, which causes some people to become disgruntled or even angry. Porn addiction can also turn an honest man into a dishonest one as you sneak around and tell bigger lies to cover your tracks. If you end up caught in a lie, it could damage your reputation, both professionally and personally.

Relationship Breakdown

The person most impacted by a porn addict’s deceit and addiction is normally their romantic partner. If you’re a man with porn addiction, you’re likely experiencing a variety of changes that are also impacting your relationship. As previously mentioned, overindulging in pornography can make it more difficult for men to achieve an erection or arousal during real-life sex. You may want certain sexual demands that your partner can’t fulfill, creating negative feelings of resentment or even anger. This can put a serious strain on your romantic relationship. You may also experience a dip in intimacy and an impaired emotional connection. 

Keeping your porn addiction secret from your partner is another risky behavior. Sneaking around or lying to indulge in your habit will create distrust in your relationship. Your partner may even think you’re having an affair or engaging in other behavior, far worse than viewing pornography. While it’s a personal decision, you should consider including your significant other in the healing process as a form of support. This also promotes complete transparency in your relationship which is necessary for establishing trust. 

Financial Trouble

As cliche as it might be, many men consider themselves the provider. Whether you’re a husband, boyfriend, or even a single man, you likely have certain financial obligations that need your time and attention. When porn addiction rules your life, you may find yourself neglecting important responsibilities including work and paying your bills. Lack of income may create financial instability.

Not only may you lose precious revenue due to your addiction but you may also increase spending. While there’s plenty of free pornography available on the internet, porn addiction often lures viewers into paying for exclusive, high-quality content. This comes in many forms including live webcams, more explicit videos, or illegal and taboo content. If you can’t control your urges, you may find yourself emptying your wallet or even your bank account to push the envelope and experience a better, more intense “high” than you get when viewing traditional porn. 

Porn Addiction Can Ruin a Man’s Life

Occasionally watching porn as a form of sexual release and even as the entertainment is relatively harmless. But when this “innocent” hobby becomes a compulsion, you may be developing a dependency, and soon, an addiction. 

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of porn addiction is the first step in acknowledging you have a problem. Above are just some of the ways porn addiction can impact and ruin your life. Be honest with yourself and know that with the right help, recovery from porn addiction is possible.