Sexual Functioning in Men and the Impact of Pornography: Understanding Erectile Dysfunction (ED), Premature Ejaculation (PE) and Anorgasmia - How Hypnotherapy Can Help
Hi - My name is Andy Selway-Woolley (he/him) and I’m a Clinical Solution Focused Hypnotherapist. I run HeadFirst Hypnotherapy, based in Upper Heyford (near Bicester), Oxfordshire and also work online nationally.
Sexual Functioning in Men and the Impact of Pornography: Understanding ED, Premature Ejaculation, and Anorgasmia - How Hypnotherapy Can Help
Sexual difficulties such as erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), and anorgasmia (the inability to reach orgasm or delayed / to cum) can affect many men, leading to frustration, anxiety, and a sense of isolation.
While these issues can feel overwhelming, they are often rooted in complex factors such as brain chemistry, psychological stress, and excessive pornography consumption.
However, there are ways to address these challenges, and solution-focused hypnotherapy is one such approach that can help individuals regain control and enjoy healthier, more fulfilling sexual experiences.
The Impact of Pornography on Sexual Functioning
In today’s digital age, pornography consumption has become more widespread, with studies showing that around 56% of men use it as a form of relaxation (Ross et al., 2012). While it may initially seem harmless, frequent exposure to pornography can have a significant impact on sexual function.
Over time, it may desensitise the brain’s reward system, making it more difficult to experience satisfaction during real-life sexual encounters. This can lead to issues like erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or delayed orgasm or inability to orgasm (to cum), which may leave individuals feeling stressed or inadequate.
Research by Kühn and Gallinat (2014) found that higher levels of pornography consumption are linked to decreased activation in the brain’s reward circuits when exposed to sexual stimuli. This shift can make it harder for men to maintain an erection, delay ejaculation, or achieve orgasm during sexual activity with a partner.
Neurobiological Causes of Premature Ejaculation
Premature ejaculation is often influenced by imbalances in brain chemistry, specifically the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). These chemicals play key roles in regulating sexual arousal and the timing of orgasm.
Serotonin and Ejaculation Control:
Serotonin is critical in regulating the brain’s response to sexual stimuli, helping control the timing of ejaculation. Low serotonin levels can disrupt this process, leading to an overactive ejaculatory reflex. This makes it difficult for men to control the timing of orgasm, often resulting in premature ejaculation (Pfaus et al., 2004).
Dopamine and Reward Processing:
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in the brain’s reward system and sexual pleasure. When dopamine levels are unbalanced, it can lead to heightened sensitivity to sexual stimuli, which may trigger rapid ejaculation. This often happens with chronic pornography consumption, which can overstimulate the brain’s reward system and make it harder to control the pleasure response.
GABA and Inhibitory Control:
GABA, the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, is responsible for helping to regulate arousal and calm overstimulation. Low GABA activity can impair the brain’s ability to control the ejaculatory reflex, making premature ejaculation more likely. This issue can be compounded by anxiety or stress, which further impacts the brain’s ability to regulate sexual arousal.
The Vicious Cycle of Anxiety and Performance
When men experience challenges with sexual performance, it can lead to feelings of anxiety, which in turn raises cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol can interfere with sexual function and create a cycle of anxiety and poor performance. This can be exacerbated by unrealistic expectations set by pornography, leading to increased pressure during intimate moments and reinforcing negative feelings around sexual performance.
Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy as a Therapeutic Approach
Solution-focused hypnotherapy offers a non-judgmental and supportive way to address sexual difficulties. Unlike traditional therapy, which often focuses on past issues, solution-focused hypnotherapy focuses on the present and future. It helps individuals identify practical solutions to their challenges and shift their focus from negative thought patterns to positive, forward-thinking strategies.
For those struggling with premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, or anorgasmia, hypnotherapy can promote relaxation, mindfulness, and self-empowerment. By helping to reduce anxiety and improve emotional regulation, hypnotherapy can enable individuals to regain control over their sexual experiences, ultimately leading to a more satisfying and fulfilling sex life.
Rather than focusing on the problem, solution-focused hypnotherapy helps men explore what is working for them and how they can build on those successes. By using techniques to calm the mind and reframe unhelpful thoughts, hypnotherapy can create an environment where sexual health can thrive without pressure or stress.
The Role of Antidepressants in Sexual Health
It's also important to note that some medications, particularly antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can contribute to sexual dysfunction. SSRIs are known to cause side effects like delayed orgasm or anorgasmia by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. While they can be beneficial for mental health, their impact on sexual function is an important consideration when seeking help for sexual difficulties (Serretti & Chiesa, 2009).
Prevalence and Demographics
The prevalence of sexual dysfunctions such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and aorgasmia is rising, particularly among younger men.
A study by Pizzol et al. (2016) found that many adolescent men are increasingly turning to pornography, often preferring "virtual sex" over real-life intimacy. This trend highlights the importance of addressing the effects of pornography on sexual health and exploring therapeutic solutions to improve overall well-being.
Conclusion
Erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and anorgasmia are complex conditions influenced by a variety of factors, including brain chemistry, anxiety, and pornography consumption.
While these issues can be challenging, they are not insurmountable. Solution-focused hypnotherapy offers a compassionate and effective way to address the psychological and emotional aspects of sexual dysfunction. By seeking support, individuals can work toward improving their sexual health, regaining confidence, and ultimately enjoying more fulfilling and satisfying sexual experiences.
If you are struggling with sexual difficulties like ED, premature ejaculation, or anorgasmia, my hypnotherapy practice in Upper Heyford, near Bicester, Oxfordshire, offers a non-judgmental space to explore these concerns. Together, we can work on addressing the underlying causes and help you move toward healthier sexual functioning and improved self-esteem.
References
Kühn, S., & Gallinat, J. (2014). Brain structure and functional connectivity associated with pornography consumption: The brain on porn. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(7), 827–834. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.93
McEwen, B. S. (2008). Central effects of stress hormones in health and disease: Understanding the protective and damaging effects of stress and stress mediators. European Journal of Pharmacology, 583(2–3), 174–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2007.11.071
Serretti, A., & Chiesa, A. (2009). Treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction related to antidepressants: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 29(3), 259–266. https://doi.org/10.1097/JCP.0b013e3181a5239b
Pizzol, D., et al. (2016). Pornography consumption and its impact on sexual health: A cross-sectional study among Italian adolescents. BMC Public Health, 16, 169. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-2851-3
De Bono, M. (2021). Hypnotherapy: A sexual awakening for anorgasmia and vaginismus. Hypnotherapy Directory. https://www.hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk/articles/hypnotherapy-a-sexual-awakening-for-anorgasmia-and-vaginismus
Find out how Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy can support Men with Erectile Dysfunction (ED), Premature Ejaculation (PE) and Aorgasmia (delayed orgasm) from excessive porn use.
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My name is Andy Selway-Woolley (he/him) and I am a fully qualified Clinical Solution Focused Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist. I run HeadFirst Hypnotherapy®, based in Upper Heyford (near Bicester), Oxfordshire.
I assist people in regaining control of their lives by retraining their brains to overcome limiting thought patterns, master their emotions, and cultivate resilient behaviours for a brighter and more positive future.. I know… It’s awesome!
a nutshell, I ‘get you out of your own way’. Because, let’s face it, a lot of us are.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy taps into the power of your subconscious mind so you can move forward towards the life you’ve always wanted to live. It’s a quick, practical way to address thought patterns, emotions and behaviours that are holding you back in life.
I’m a registered and accredited member of the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (AfSFH) and National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH).
I service the main towns and cities around Upper Heyford, including Bicester, Banbury, Oxford, Kidlington, Witney, Brackley, Charlbury, Northampton, Buckingham, Chipping Norton, Thame, Didcot, Abingdon, Henley-on-Thames, and Aylesbury, along with other local areas.
I also work nationally and offer remote hypnotherapy services online, so no matter where you're based, support is just a click away!