How can a man distinguish whether his sexual performance issues stem from his use of pornography or from performance anxiety, which is the common diagnosis for men without physical issues in that area?
- Engage in masturbation while watching your preferred pornography (or simply imagine the scenario if you’ve decided to abstain from it).
- Then, on a separate occasion, masturbate without the use of pornography or any fantasies.
Compare the quality of your erections and the time it takes to reach climax (if achievable). A healthy individual should be able to achieve a full erection and orgasm through masturbation without the involvement of pornography or erotic fantasies.
If your erection is strong during step #1 but you experience erectile dysfunction during step #2, it’s likely that you are dealing with pornography-induced erectile dysfunction.
If your performance is satisfactory in step #2 but you face difficulties with a real partner, the issue is likely related to anxiety-induced erectile dysfunction.
If you encounter problems during both step #1 and step #2, there’s a possibility of progressive pornography-induced erectile dysfunction or an underlying physical problem that requires medical intervention and potential consultation with your gp and/or a urologist.