Over the last year or more, I had been suffering from persistent ED.  The only way that I could get off, was to overwhelm my senses with multiple porn videos running simultaneously.  And when I did get with a live woman, achieving an erection, much less an orgasm, was near impossible.

I upped my dosage of Viagra.  I explored new partners.  I would hold off masturbating for days before seeing a provider.  Nothing seemed to help.  Then, based on advice, from multiple avenues here, I laid off porn.  I reduced masturbating to porn from almost daily to approximately twice a month.

Within four days, I was able to get and maintain an erection with my partner.  And, since I've cut down on masturbating to porn, I've been able to do so without fail

Some on these boards have suggested that masturbating to porn trains your body to only respond to the feel of your hand.  Some may also say that just the fact that I'm masturbating less frequently, could have that dramatic an effect.

Realizing that everyone is different, I don't think the shift in physical sensation alone explains the remarkable transformation that I'd experienced (dramatic change after only four days).  I believe that for me there is a strong mental component.  Possibly even the relief of deep seated guilt that is causing the change in my body's response to stimulus.

I'd love to hear some well thought out views on either side of the argument.  Or, if anyone has come across any research supporting one side or the other.

-- Modified on 5/11/2021 5:00:56 AM

and my dick works just fine TYVM. lol

 
I think you already have your answer based on your own recent experience. Personally, I almost never watch porn, nor do I jerk off. I get more than enough real sex to keep me happy. Of course the amount of sex needed to keep me happy is a lot less now that I am getting into my 60's than it was even just a few years ago. Once upon a time I craved sex several times a day, now I am happy getting laid "most days"  

 
Personally I believe there are spectator sports and participant sports. Sex IMO is DEFINITELY a participant sport for me. Watching other people have sex only makes me want to do the same, and if there is no one around to have sex with, why would I want to torture myself by watching other people have fun. It's kind of like watching cooking shows when you are on a diet. lol

hearsay evidence from dozens of the providers I have seen.  I've asked many why they prefer not to see guys under 35, and the answer kind of surprised me.  I thought it would be because they lack maturity or are less respectful.  In other words, it would be part of the social aspect of the session.  But to my surprise, many have said its because the younger guys have grown up watching and masturbating to internet porn to the point that they have thickened their skin and desensitized their dick, and so they can't ejaculate within the usual one-hour session using a BJ or vaginal sex, which puts them up against the clock, and so the provider must finish them with a VIGOROUS handjob, which means they work longer and harder during the session, while the young customer blames THEM for his failure to cross the finish line.  Some of the providers even have trouble with the handjob because these yutes are used to using their own hand, which has a much stronger grip than most women have.  Some went on to say their lowest review scores were for these kinds of sessions, so they just don't take guys who are really young.  

 
With that said, like GaG, don't watch much porn, and when I do a few times a year, its usually Asian Lesbian porn, but I still don't masturbate.  If I feel the urge to cum, I just book a session with someone.

I'd like to focus on physical vs mental aspect, and I'd say in your case sounds like it was purely mental.  

 

If viagra was not helping, but refraining from porn was, that's a good indication that you were not properly stimulated. If you had a problem with body, viagra would also not help, but neither would not watching porn.  

 

Four days seems like a really fast time though, I've heard of porn addicts needing many months for full recovery. Id say you should consider yourself lucky in that regard.

Season 17 Episode 10.
So apparently this is very common.

I haven't heard it specifically from sex workers, but relationship experts say that men who have grown up with ready access to porn perform poorly in the bedroom in civie encounters.  So I think this is a well known concern.  
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Fortunately sex is like Chinese food ... if you haven't had it for a few hours, you are hungry for it again.

There are increasing cases of men in their 20'S with ED!! THAT is scary!! (Holy smokes when I was in my 20's a slight breeze would be boner inducing LOL!!) Porn has been a significant factor in this alarming trend--interesting article enclosed which goes in greater detail.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/mar/11/young-men-porn-induced-erectile-dysfunction

read gary wilson your brain on porn book, he explains it with considerable research and studies. There was an hour speech on youtube he gave some years back. you can check on it. I bought the book in 2014 and it was only 14 dollars. At the time  I was having issues and stop watching porn and sure enough everything came back.

Got me thru some my adolescent years and when I was in a slump.  Never was there penetration captured in M/F pictorials, and the glamour photos were smoking hot.

Never had an impact on my ability to perform.  Age has.  

When internet porn first became available I was like a kid in a candy store.  Now it is just boring so I rarely view it.

That is a fascinating perspective.  

I too would have assumed that the reluctance was based on the younger client's maturity (or, lack there of).  And then, when you started on the subject of porn, I thought for sure you were going to say that the younger clients put pressure on the provider to offer acts that the clients are seeing regularly performed in porn.  But, the 'loss of sensation' thing does make sense.

I'd be interested to hear some providers offer their perspective on this.

Thanks for sharing.

Great article.  Very apropos.  Thanks.

You raise a good point.  There are infinite levels, outlets (and proclivities) of porn.

When I was having trouble, I had been viewing hardcore M/F (sometimes F/F) high quality porn videos daily.

I continue to enjoy looking at still photos of beautiful naked women.  I haven't done the personal research on whether erotic photography affects my ability to perform (no interest in reproducing the issue).  I'm hoping that viewing still images won't have the same adverse affect as viewing explicit video porn had.

I'm so sorry to hear that you're having that experience!

What is the point of trying to separate mental and physical? Do you think you are more capable of overcoming one versus the other?

I have had very little ED, and I think it has been due to anxiety or fear. Or, there have been times when round 2 was offered, and I was either tired or didn't want to hit that again!

Obviously, there is a physical problem with blood flow. People are doing increasing levels of damage to themselves with high blood sugar and insulin. Sounds physical, but, stress could play a role, and I am quite certain it is a significant factor.  

So, if Viagra works, it must be physical, right? Not if it serves as a placebo. When SSRIs came out they were quite over-hyped. I'm told the trials actually showed very little effect over placebo. But, the placebo effect was quite good. If herbs were as over-hyped, they might be more effective than the synthetic drugs. Safer.  You just need to believe in your boner.

My problem is delayed ejaculation, and I think porn is a factor. I don't think it was a callused dick as much as it was my real experience not living up to the porn fantasy.

Mostly, I posed the question as an academic one.  Obviously, different people have different experiences/causes/solutions.

 
But, to the question "Do you think you are more capable of overcoming one versus the other?", I would say "Yes".  

 
My perception is, that there may be some physical steps (outside of medication) that could be taken.  Diet, fitness, hydration, weight loss being among them.  And, after some thought, there are also things that one could do to improve their mental state as well.  Meditation, yoga, introspection, therapy, confession, etc.

 
Mostly, it all depends on the individual I suppose.

Interesting…now I thought also because younger could be more rough, disrespectful, etc too….but I get what they are saying.  What is porn today?  Anal is one thing with an ass you like…but what the heck is with gaping etc? Does someone really feel the same thing when they see that as they do seeing a perky set of DD cans? I doubt the same hormones get released in the body.

Whelp…now I know it’s not just my Viagra not working as well anymore….time to sell the iPad and toss the Arcwave…

Didn’t read it full yet….but first thing that “popped” into my “head” , was Type II Diabetes in the ever increasing obesity in children/young adults…high sugar fries nerves, effects blood vessels to the nerves and elsewhere, etc etc that why they get the neuropathy in the feet if out of control, etc