This has been well researched. I think it's very important to note that not a single major medical or psychiatric organization recognizes "porn addiction" or "porn induced erectile dysfunction." The people who keep peddling this nonsense somehow claim that they know more that all the doctors, scientists, and researchers.

The recent (2023) study found that the nofap movement is actually creating stress and anxiety, which is turn causes ED. They found a strong correlation between the amount of participation in "nofap" forums, and levels and stress, anxiety, and depression. In other words, the more oyu buy inot the nofap stuff, the worse your condition gets.

Hopefully there aren't many people who are that stupid.

When you are taking a prescription medication, follow the instructions. They are there for a reason.

That's a very good point.

There are many things, both physical and psychological, that can cause erectile dysfunction. Treating the wrong thing won't help you, but it might help others.

For example, ED can be caused by a vitamin deficiency. If that's the case for you, then vitamin supplements may help. But if someone else has ED due to neurological damage, or blocked blood vessels, they won't see any benefits.

Part of the problem is that many people don't talk to their doctor. They have no idea what is causing their ED. They read about a treatment online, and then they are disappointed (and in some cases angry) when it doesn't work for them.

It seems that you are a victim of the "no porn" scam.

Whatever you have read on the Internet, doctors, scientists, and researchers agree: porn does not cause erectile dysfunction.

A 2022 study in the International Journal of Impotence Research found that “pornography use was unrelated to either erectile functioning or erectile dysfunction (ED).”

A 2015 study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine concluded that “We found little evidence of the association between pornography use and male sexual health disturbances. Contrary to raising public concerns, pornography does not seem to be a significant risk factor for younger men’s desire, erectile, or orgasmic difficulties.”

A cross-sectional study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found “no evidence of causal links between any pornography variables and ED.”

A 2015 study found that “VSS [porn]use within the range of hours tested is unlikely to negatively impact sexual functioning, given that responses actually were stronger in those who viewed more VSS.”

Finally, a 2019 research review found that “there is little or no evidence on a causal relationship between erectile dysfunction and frequency of pornography use.” In fact, the study went on to state that "VSS [porn] use within the range of hours tested is unlikely to negatively impact sexual functioning, given that responses actually were stronger in those who viewed more VSS."

Also note that many experts dispute the notion of porn addiction and sex addiction in general. In fact, PIED and “porn addiction” are not recognized in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual for Psychiatric Disorders (DSM-V), nor by the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) – although it can fall under the general category of compulsive behaviors.

A 2014 study, published in Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology, addressed the claims that porn is addictive by using an electroencephalogram (EEG) to examine the brains of self-declared “porn addicts” while viewing porn. They found that brain patterns were normal, and did not exhibit patterns associated with addictions.

The International Society for Sexual Medicine says, “The notion that masturbation causes erectile dysfunction (ED) is a myth.”

Despite the solid scientific evidence to the contrary, there is a large community on the Internet that persists in claiming that porn and masturbation causes erectile dysfunction. A 2023 study concluded that the so-call “no-fap” movement may be increasing erectile dysfunction, by creating feelings of stress and anxiety.

So - if porn is not causing your problems, what is?

It's very likely that you are experiencing a lot of stress. And that stress is made even worse because of your struggle to avoid porn. And stress is proven to cause ED.

At this point, you've probably been so screwed up by the "nofap" crowd that you may need to get some counseling to get past this. But the science is clear. Porn and masturbation do not cause ED.

You need to stop wasting your energy on the nofap nonsense, and learn how to reduce and manage stress.

Here's something to understand. From an evolutionary standpoint, reproducing (passing on your genes) is essential. But in order to pass on your genes, you need to survive. Whenever something affects your health, your body shifts resources to healing and surviving, rather than producing erections.

So if you were sick, and you are now underweight, that could cause temporary ED.

On the other hand, it sounds like you're stressed about your condition, and stress can also cause ED.

My guess is that if you don't worry about it and focus on your overall health, your ED will resolve.

It's just nonsense.

"Formulated by doctors?" Big deal. You cna find people in any profession who are more motivated by greed than by ethics.

The truth is that clinical studies have repeated shown that herbal products have very little, if any, benefit.

Men have been searching for a cure for ED for thousands of years. There are “recipes” from ancient Rome, Egypt, and India. Do you know what they all had in common? They didn’t work!

Thats why, when Viagra was first invented about 25 years ago, it became one of the fastest-selling drugs in history. Because for the first time, there was an ED medication that really worked.

The main purpose for these herbal ed cures and "male-enhancement" pills is to take money from gullible men. And they are very good at that.

But if you want a "natural" treatment for erectile dysfunction that really helps many men, there is something that has been proven to be effective. Sadly, few men have the commitment to realy make it work. I'm going to give you the formula, and I won't charge you anything:

  • Switching to a low-sodium, heart-healthy Mediterranean diet
  • Getting regular cardiovascular exercise (300 minutes per week is a good goal)
  • Establishing a regular sleep schedule, and sticking to it
  • Not smoking or vaping
  • Using alcohol only in moderation, or not at all
  • Reducing or eliminating stress, and learning techniques for managing it

I can understand his reasoning. Yes, I would keep sudafed on hand, and also understand other ways to relieve priapism. But your doctor is right that it IS a medical emergency. If you hit the four hour mark, you'd been be on your way to an emergency room.

Also: always use the lowest Trimix dose that does the job. Don't be tempted to increase it.

Ah yes - the old "doctors once thought smoking was good for you" argument. I was wondering how long it would be before you trotted out that favorite argument of the ignorant.

First, it was known for decades that smoking was not good for you. The tobacco industy simply buried the truth with advertising.

But you have no concept of how different the world is today. Our computer models alone are tens of thousands of times more powerful than the tools we had then. The results are overwhelmingly more accurate, and they are widely disseminated.

And that's why "cover ups" just can't happen today. There is too much data, and the tools are too powerful.

The sad thing is that, just as our scientific knowledge has advanced, the community of of people who choose not to believe science has grown.

And yes, you reject "studies" - because you can't understand them. You reject the knowledge and expertise of every major medical organization - because they are "in on the conspiracy."

Instead you choose to believe a cult - and spread those beliefs to others.

Did you every wonder who is behind the anti-porn movement? Hmmm... what powerful group of people HATE porn enough to try to discredit it?

Wow Skippy... a website called "yourbrainonporn" that attacks Dr. Prause's work! How very surprising.

My own background is in data analysis. I teach graduate courses in applied data science and data analytics at a well-known university. I also review medical papers prior to publication for two major publishers.

In other words, I am capable of actually reading and understanding the science and the math. I don't need to depend on some biased hack site to tell me what to think.

To be honest, more than half of the papers I screen for medical journals need to be rejected or sent back for revision because of poor methodology or flawed math. Admittedly, I have not seen or reviewed any of Dr. Prause's papers prior to publication, but the published papers I have read are very solid; I've yet to see anything I would reject.

So my opinions are based on actually reading and understanding the studies. Yours seem to be based on a cult site telling you what to think.

Again - if the "porn causes ED" argument actually had any factual basis, it would be recognized by major medical associations. It's not. That should tell you all you need to know.

But it won't, because you're just an Internet troll, who will continue posting misleading information.

An ultrasound can be used to determine if blood vessels in the penis are blocked.

There are many clinics around the world that perform shockwave therapy. Your doctor or urologist can refer you.

The therapy is usually conducted in a series of 6 to 8 weekly treatments. each treatment takes 30-45 minutes. It is generally painless, though some men report feeling moderate discomfort.

Unfortunately, the clinics are mostly for-profit. They will often administer the treatment to men who don't fit to profile, and won't benefit. That's why it's important to discuss it with your doctor first. But dozens of studies show that it is effective for men with mild-to-moderate vascular ED.

Dr. Prause has produced some very solid research; the qualitative analysis is first-rate.

But even if you dismiss the work of her and her colleagues entirely, there is overwhelming evidence from other research studies that porn is not addictive, and does not cause ED.

No major medical or psychological organization recognizes porn addiction or PIED.

So on the one hand you have the scientific community: doctors, psychologists, scientists and researchers.

And on the other side, you have a band of little Internet trolls.

Clinical studies have shown a significant improvement in erectile function among men who perform exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles.

In one study, a group of men was trained by a physiotherapist. After 6 months in the program, 40% of the men had regained normal erectile function.

This study suggests that pelvic floor exercises should be considered as a first-line approach for men seeking long-term resolution of their erectile dysfunction.

Yes, sarcoidosis has bene linked to erectile dysfunction.

And many pharmaceuticals can cause erectile problems.

Honestly, porn addiction is not a real thing - it's a "made up" condition that is not recognized by any major medical or psychiatric association, and studies have shown that porn and masturbation do not cause erectile dysfunction.

But the real bottom line is that nobody in this forum can diagnose the cause of your problem. You should talk to your doctor about it, and get help. It might involve adjusting or switching medications, or getting a prescription for viagra or cialis.

Sounds like you're working with a good urologist, who is pursuing the problem and making good progress toward finding a solution for you. We hear too many stories of doctors who just blow off their patients' problems.

I'm sorry you're going through this - it's an awful thing - but at least it seems that you are in good hands.

Good luck!

Yeah... four or five times a day, and I'd be done in.

My company ran a survey\1]) a few years ago to understand how erectile dysfunction affects the partners of men with ED. Your feelings are entirely normal. A significant majority of partners experienced some impact or a major impact on their confidence, self-esteem, overall happiness, and feelings about their relationship.

Also, partners were more open to talking about the problem than the men with ED.

And this can have a serious impact on relationships. Men tend to withdraw, not communicate, and stop initating sex. What we heard over and over in the study is that the big problem wasn't the lack of sex, it was the loss of closeness and intimacy in the relationship.

So, even though it may be very hard, you need to initiate a conversation about this. It needs to be a problem that you work on together, and that actually draws you closer.

There are effective treatments for ED that can help in many cases. But please don't pay any attention to the nonsense you read on the Internet (unless you get your information from real medical sites like Harvard Medical or Mayo Clinic). Don't get caught up in the nofap nonsense, or waste money on worthless "male enhancement" pills and herbal supplements.

What you boyfriend really needs to do is talk to his doctor to find out what is causing the problem, and get help. If he hasn't done this already, he needs to make it a priority. Sometimes ED can be caused by a serious underlying problem, like undiagnosed diabetes or heart disease.

You can also find lots of ways to enhance your sex life that don't involve intercourse.

I hope this helps. Remember, you are not alone. Lots of couples face these problems, and get through it.

References

[1] "The Impact of Erectile Dysfunction on Partners of Men with ED.” ED Treatment Information Center, 2018.

I guess it's a matter of personal preference. There are a lot of counselors that use Zoom, and they are generally very good at getting people to open up online.

Trimix is much more effective than PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra. PDE5 inhibitors are effective for about 65% of men with ED. Trimix is effective for 85-90%. (Some doctors create custom blends of Trimix and claim their success rate is over 95%.)

I have personally using Trimix with alcohol and not had any problems, but talk to your doctor.

Erectile dysfunction is a symptom of an underlying problem, which may be physical or psychological. Sometimes it's an indication of something serious, like undiagnosed diabetes or heart disease.

That's why, if you are having erectile problems, you should consult a doctor to determine what's causing it.

There is absolutely no reason to feel embarrassed talking to a doctor. It's no big deal. You doctor has probably helped hundreds of men who have ED. It's just another medical problem.

Talk to your doctor and get help.

There is solid evidence that porn is not an addiction. Not just the many studies, but one in particular that actually used an MRI to see what centers of the brain are being activated. It is not an addiction.

All the nofap movement does is create stress and anxiety - which are known causes of ED. The more a person participates in NOFAP forums, the higher their incidence of stress, anxiety, and depression.

There is no scientific basis for the belief that porn is addictive or causes erectile dysfunction, but a crowd of ignorant zealots persist in spreading this myth, and causing incredible harm. The ignorant people who spread this nonsense are demonizing people who produce solid, evidence based research.

PIED and “porn addiction” are not recognized in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual for Psychiatric Disorders (DSM-V), nor by the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM), nor by any other major medical or psychiatric organization.

Stop drinking the koolaid. The research is overwhelming. Porn does not cause ED.

Watching porn is not bad for you. You've been brainwashed by the anti-porn zealots.

Doctors, scientists, and researchers agree: porn does not cause erectile dysfunction.

A 2022 study in the International Journal of Impotence Research found that “pornography use was unrelated to either erectile functioning or erectile dysfunction (ED).”

A 2015 study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine concluded that “We found little evidence of the association between pornography use and male sexual health disturbances. Contrary to raising public concerns, pornography does not seem to be a significant risk factor for younger men’s desire, erectile, or orgasmic difficulties.”

A cross-sectional study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found “no evidence of causal links between any pornography variables and ED.”

A 2015 study found that “VSS [porn]use within the range of hours tested is unlikely to negatively impact sexual functioning, given that responses actually were stronger in those who viewed more VSS.”

Finally, a 2019 research review found that “there is little or no evidence on a causal relationship between erectile dysfunction and frequency of pornography use.” In fact, the study went on to state that "VSS [porn] use within the range of hours tested is unlikely to negatively impact sexual functioning, given that responses actually were stronger in those who viewed more VSS."

Also note that many experts dispute the notion of porn addiction and sex addiction in general. In fact, PIED and “porn addiction” are not recognized in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual for Psychiatric Disorders (DSM-V), nor by the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) – although it can fall under the general category of compulsive behaviors.

A 2014 study, published in Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology, addressed the claims that porn is addictive by using an electroencephalogram (EEG) to examine the brains of self-declared “porn addicts” while viewing porn. They found that brain patterns were normal, and did not exhibit patterns associated with addictions.

The International Society for Sexual Medicine says, “The notion that masturbation causes erectile dysfunction (ED) is a myth.”

Despite the solid scientific evidence to the contrary, there is a large community on the Internet that persists in claiming that porn and masturbation causes erectile dysfunction. A 2023 study concluded that the so-call “no-fap” movement may be increasing erectile dysfunction, by creating feelings of stress and anxiety.

Enjoy videos while you pump, and don't stress about it.

It's impossible to get rid of porn addiction. Would you like to know why?

Because there is no such thing!

I know, you read about it in Internet forums. And now you're stressed about it.

But this has been studied extensively by real doctors, psychologists, and scientists - not just random people on the Internet.

PIED and “porn addiction” are not recognized in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual for Psychiatric Disorders (DSM-V), nor by the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM).

A 2014 study, published in Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology, addressed the claims that porn is addictive by using an electroencephalogram (EEG) to examine the brains of self-declared “porn addicts” while viewing porn. They found that brain patterns were normal, and did not exhibit patterns associated with addictions.

Stop stressing. It's the stress and anxiety that will cause you problems.

Stay away from the anti-porn "nofap" crowd, and you'll be fine.

Yes! You've hit the problem right on the head.

Anxiety is a common cause of erectile dysfunction. Online forums contribute to that anxiety.

A recent study found that, the more men participate in "nofap" forums, the higher their incidence of stress, anxiety, and expression. These idiots are not helping anybody. THEY ARE CAUSING THE PROBLEM.

You need to get away from the poison. Stop reading about ED. See your doctor, get a clean bill of health, and then chill out and stop stressing. Looking into relaxation exercises, and ways to get you "out of your head."

You will be fine.

If you're looking for a sex coach, counselor, or therapist to help with intimacy issues, you are not limited to your area. There are plenty of people who work online via Zoom / Skype / etc.

I think you can find someone who can help for half what you are finding locally, and it might be a good investment for you if you can find the right person.