{"id":68325,"date":"2019-06-29T01:01:59","date_gmt":"2019-06-29T01:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/prostate.net\/?post_type=post&p=68325"},"modified":"2019-06-29T01:01:59","modified_gmt":"2019-06-29T01:01:59","slug":"porn-affecting-sex-lives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/red64.com\/porn-affecting-sex-lives\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Porn Affecting Our Sex Lives?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The explosion of internet porn has made access to it incredibly easy. Many school-aged kids are computer savvy enough to make their way to pornography sites or bypass parental blocks. For the rest of the population, the pornography path is even easier to travel. But the issue here isn\u2019t access; it\u2019s impact. Specifically, is porn affecting our sex lives?<\/p>\n

Research on this question is all over the map and so are the opinions from experts. When reading across the spectrum of thoughts about porn and its impact, one might boil it down to a generality. That is, in moderation it can be positive, in excess it\u2019s usually harmful, and it definitely is not for everyone.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s some of the research and how it applies to these three scenarios.<\/p>\n

Your brain on porn<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Science has indicated that pornography is a supranormal stimulus, which means exposure to it activates the normal reward areas of the brain, but it does so at a much higher level, leaving us to perceive it as significantly more pleasurable than an average stimulus.<\/p>\n

Basically, porn may change how the brain reacts to arousal. Over time, the brain becomes desensitized to porn and we need something more exciting or novel to reach the same level of arousal. If there is the addition of sex toys, they could desensitize nerves in the penis, which would then make it more difficult to achieve an erection.<\/p>\n

For some men (and women), this increasing need for more stimulation can be the beginning of a downward spiral into hardcore porn and a psychological addiction. During this descent, porn can interfere with the person\u2019s sex life, family dynamics, social life, finances, and employment. For the rare few, it takes complete control of their lives.<\/p>\n

When we swing to the other end of the spectrum, there are people for whom porn is taboo or is an activity they don\u2019t care to indulge in because it makes them uncomfortable. Others engage in \u201cporn light,\u201d dabbling with behaviors that may or may not have a positive effect on their sex lives and how they perceive themselves and their relationships.<\/p>\n

Is porn affecting our sex lives?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Using porn can have a positive impact on a person\u2019s sex life if it is something a couple shares with each other in an open and loving way. Some partners find that it spices up their sex life. They use it as an accessory\u2014an occasional or even frequently shared activity. Good communication between partners is key to this arrangement.<\/p>\n

For some couples, however, one partner is unwilling or uncomfortable with the idea of porn and refuses to participate or does so reluctantly. This can lead to frustration by the asking partner and also place a strain on the relationship and future sexual activity.<\/p>\n

Porn can be what one therapist has called \u201cthe sexual version of a gateway drug,\u201d which can draw individuals into compulsive or addictive cyber-sex behavior. For some, watching porn can make it impossible for them to have sex with their partner.<\/p>\n

People who watch porn regularly may grow to expect the intense excitement that it can create and then want that in their real-life sexual encounters. Porn also can cultivate unrealistic expectations about what sexual partners should look like.<\/p>\n

If individuals can only get off when beautiful people are involved in sexual acts, then real-life sex may not make the grade and the real-life relationship suffers.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Porn kills romance<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Sexual encounters typically involve courtship rituals. There is anticipation, flirting, teasing, intimacy, and communication. Porn, however, is about penetration and control. It desensitizes the human bonding experience. Even among couples who have been together for many years, there can still be a courtship ritual. Porn kills courtship and romance.<\/p>\n

When individuals use porn in secret from their partners, the participant usually feels he or she is not engaging in sex. Yet watching porn is a form of voyeurism, and it can damage a relationship. It is a type of sexual betrayal and can make the partner feel disrespected and unvalued. This is an aspect of porn that few people realize, yet it can have a devastating impact on a relationship because it shatters romance, trust, and respect.<\/p>\n

Individuals in a relationship who use porn should talk to their partners about it. Using porn behind your partner\u2019s back is like sneaking drug use. If you find it difficult to talk to your partner about porn, it is a sign that you may lack a sufficient level of intimacy and sharing with your partner. Communicating about the use of porn could bring that issue to a head and allow you to strengthen your sexual bond.<\/p>\n

Pornography and erectile dysfunction<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Numerous studies have explored a possible association between porn and erectile dysfunction and the results are mixed: some claim porn causes or contributes to ED while others say porn can help some men with ED. In a 2016 study published in Behavioral Sciences, for example, the authors found that more young men are seeking help for erectile dysfunction, which could be a result of them being desensitized by hardcore porn. In fact, the study notes that \u201cterminating Internet pornography use is sometimes sufficient to reverse negative effects, underscoring the need for extensive investigation using methodologies that have subjects remove the variable of Internet pornography use.\u201d<\/p>\n

A brand new study (April 2019) from the Naval Medical Center San Diego looked at the use of porn among both men and women and the effect on sexual function. The authors found that men used pornography significantly more than women (81.1% vs 39%). Here\u2019s what else they found:<\/p>\n