The world is changing, and so is our idea of sexual intimacy. Widespread internet use and easy availability of explicit content have made it readily accessible to everyone. It might make it tough to resist the temptation, and you may fall prey to porn addiction. In this blog, we will shed some light on a relatively new topic of porn addiction while discussing its side effects and ways to manage the condition.
What is Porn Addiction?
To get to side effects, it is crucial first to understand the nature of addiction. Porn addiction happens when one gets addicted or used to watching explicit content. It is usually linked with exploring oneself while viewing the content and becomes a means to self-pleasure. The act usually becomes addictive, and one may rely on visual stimuli for arousal.
But why is it becoming more common than ever before? The answer is simple: only the vast availability of online explicit content is available. It is not as hard as it was back in the day to get your hands on any erotic content. Even social media platforms today provide controversial content that people seem to enjoy.
The major magnetic factor is its ability to cater to everyone’s preferences and desires. Only porn can offer this much variety for sexual arousal and pleasure. Before you know it, you start sexual gratification via porn and slowly even get used to it. You get an idea that no one will know or judge you for your choices or preferences. One tends to explore deeper fantasies and kinks and has the option to experiment as much as one wants.When monitored closely, it is more comfortable and convenient than anything else. The satisfaction is humongous, and it is on your terms.
Side Effects of Porn Addiction
When porn allows self-exploration and sexual gratification, how does it become bad for you? Well, the answer is not understanding the thin line between enjoyment and addiction.
Masturbation and porn viewing are everyday sexual ideas and usually do not harm anyone, but most people do not realize when they cross the line and become addicted. When done in excess, it is bound to create some turbulence and exhibit a wide range of side effects –
Desensitization – The major drawback is that excessive exposure to porn reduces the sensitivity to general stimuli. The stimuli that worked in the past become insufficient to arouse the person and also affect the overall sexual satisfaction.
Relationship Issues – It is one of the significant drawbacks of porn addiction. Excessive consumption of explicit content always puts strain on relationships. Sexual intimacy gets affected as only the partner becomes insufficient for arousal. Unrealistic expectations become a core issue, and one is unable to differentiate between virtual and real life. This may also impact communication and make intimacy difficult. Overall, the relationship starts suffering, and conflicts arise.
Behavior change – It is common for people to develop dependence on porn for arousal and gratification. In a few cases, someone might create a dependence on pornography for arousal. It gives rise to compulsive behaviour, and one may show signs of addiction. A few studies have shown porn addiction to mimic symptoms of drug or alcohol addiction. It is time to stop taking it lightly and treat it equally cautiously.
Change in perspective – Overexposure to pornography is bound to rewire the human brain. It causes a distorted view of sexuality and impacts one’s expectations of sexual intimacy in the real world.
Performance Anxiety – A few men suffer from performance anxiety due to changes in expectations from sexual intimacy in real life. They cannot perform the way they set an image in their heads. Over time, one starts getting performance anxiety, and it becomes a vicious cycle.
Sexual dysfunctions – To your surprise, porn addiction can even cause sexual dysfunctions like erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.It is also coined as Porn Induced Erectile Dysfunction (PIED) and causes difficulty in erection while being with a partner. Excessive reliance on visual stimuli for arousal usually happens, and one does not get the same from the partner. In the same way, it can also impact ejaculation while being with a real-life partner and cause loss of control over ejaculation.
Low sex drive – It again happens due to desensitization, where the one involved in porn addiction does not feel sexually aroused with the partner. Excessive exposure to explicit content becomes a hurdle in being intimate in real life.
Isolation – Porn addiction can go on and affect your social life. It causes people to isolate themselves due to their entire concentration on sexual gratification via porn addiction. They seem to be cut off from the real world and immerse themselves in virtuality.
Mental health – Porn addiction can also negatively impact your mental health. It can cause various issues like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The feelings usually stem from feeling guilty or embarrassed due to their addictive pattern.
Work-life balance – Spending excessive, time-consuming explicit content can also negatively influence your work life or even studies. Giving too much attention to porn is bound to compromise other aspects of life. One may neglect one’s responsibilities and immerse oneself in the virtual world.
Click here to read more about : The Effects Of Porn Addiction On The Penis
How can you deal with porn addiction?
It is crucial to understand the side effects of porn addiction and initiate your journey toward recovery. You can try the following strategies to begin the process.
Awareness – The first step towards the change is getting to know yourself. Acknowledging the behaviour and disruption porn is causing in your life should be understood. At the same time, you should be motivated to stop the behaviour and understand your goals.
Reality check – You should emphasize getting to know the intricacies of addiction and the impact it has on your life. While withdrawing from the habit, it is essential to set realistic goals.
It would help if you accepted that the change will take time and that you can only take one step at a time. Stopping it all of a sudden may increase your chances of relapse.
Alternative habits – While trying to quit the habit, replacing it with a new one is essential. You can teach more constructive habits in your lifestyle and slowly transform your porn addiction into healthy living.
Support – Seek medical attention if you cannot escape the habit alone. Taking the help of a sexologist can guide you towards the best protocols that can specifically work on your condition.
Read More About it Here: Understanding Porn Addiction: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Bottom Line
Porn addiction is for real and no more just wordplay. It needs to be taken seriously as it has the potential to alter mental, emotional, physical, and social well-being. It is high time to recognize its impact on a person’s life and take proactive steps to quit.
You can take the help of an experienced sexologist if you are unable to quit the habit with your willpower. Additionally, if you suffer from any sexual dysfunction, you should talk to an expert to get to the root cause and avail suitable treatment.