Can Masturbating Too Much Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Living with erectile dysfunction can be challenging. Many people feel unsure about what is causing the problem and may wonder if masturbating or masturbating too much leads to erectile dysfunction. But there is no link between masturbation and erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction is when you have trouble getting an erection or staying erect during sex. Another word or erectile dysfunction is impotence. Some people with erectile dysfunction get erections sometimes, but not consistently. Other people can’t get erections at all or can't maintain one through intercourse. Erectile dysfunction is more common than you might think, affecting about 30 millions males in the U.S.

Keep reading to find out more about actual causes and risk factors that can lead to erectile dysfunction, plus treatment options for the condition.

Are Masturbation and Erectile Dysfunction Linked?

It’s common for people to believe that masturbating—and especially masturbating frequently—leads to erectile dysfunction. Many people also believe that watching lots of porn can cause erectile dysfunction. But neither of these have been proven. They are both myths.

Part of the reason why people associate erectile dysfunction with frequent masturbation is because after you ejaculate, there is a period of time when it becomes difficult to get an erection. This is known as the refractory period. During this time, it can be challenging to get hard and also to ejaculate.

But the refractory period after ejaculation is completely normal and isn’t related to how often you masturbate. The refractory period length is different for everyone. Most people are able to get an erection again within an hour or so after ejaculation, though some are able to become hard sooner. For some, it may take several hours.

Misconceptions About Masturbation and Erectile Dysfunction

Again, there is no clear connection between masturbation, porn consumption, and erectile dysfunction. Let’s look at what the research says.

Masturbation Frequency and Pornography Usage

A 2023 study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research examined the links between masturbation frequency, use of pornography, and their effects on erectile dysfunction. 3586 males with an average age of 40 participated in the study. The researchers found that both masturbation frequency and porn usage had “weak or no association with erectile dysfunction.” There were similar weak links between masturbation frequency and porn usage with erectile severity and relationship satisfaction among study participants.

Pornography Addiction and Erectile Dysfunction

A 2021 study published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance also found that there was no link between masturbation frequency and erectile dysfunction. Pornography usage for 30 minutes or less while masturbating wasn’t linked to erectile dysfunction either—and most participants did not watch porn for more than 30 minutes in a row.

However, this study found that participants who watched porn for more than 30 minutes in a row were somewhat more likely to experience erectile dysfunction. Additionally, people who were classified as having a pornography addiction were more likely to experience erectile dysfunction.

Again, masturbation frequency, including maturation while consuming porn, was not linked to erectile dysfunction. More research needs to be done on the links between pornography addiction and erectile dysfunction, according to the study authors.

How Does Masturbation Impact Sexual Health?

There are many taboos associated with masturbation and people often have feelings of shame about doing it. But masturbation is common and normal. For example, the 2009 National Survey of Sexual Health Behaviors found that more than half of males aged 16-59 reported masturbating in the month prior to the survey questions.

Masturbation can be healthy. There are numerous health, sexual, and mental health benefits linked to masturbation. Masturbation can:

• Help you explore your own sexuality and learn about your body
• Support sexual development and maturity
• Increase self-esteem
• Increase body positivity
• Help manage sexual challenges like premature ejaculation and trouble reaching orgasm

Additionally, masturbation may help with sleep, as research has found a link between orgasm from masturbation and improved sleep quality and increased ability to fall asleep. There are also possible links between more frequent ejaculations and decreased rates of prostate cancer, though more research is needed to be certain.

Potential Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

So if frequent masturbation isn’t the cause of erectile dysfunction, what is? The causes of erectile dysfunction are multifactorial, meaning that it’s not usually just one factor that causes someone to have erectile dysfunction, but rather a combination of factors.

Some of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction include psychological causes, such as depression and performance anxiety. Various sexual disorders may also contribute. Certain medications, such as antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs—may also contribute to erectile dysfunction.

Overall, aging is a primary factor linked to erectile dysfunction—the older you are, the more likely you are to develop the condition. This may be because as you age, you are more likely to have an underlying health condition that contributes to erectile dysfunction, such as cardiovascular disease, elevated blood pressure, and diabetes.

Risk Factors

There are certain risk factors that may make it more likely for you to develop erectile dysfunction. These include:

• Being older
• Having cardiovascular disease
• Being a smoker
• Having high blood pressure
• Having high cholesterol
• Having diabetes
• Previous pelvic surgery, trauma, or radiation therapy to the pelvic region
• Having a thyroid disorder
• Having metabolic syndrome
• Substance abuse issues
• Psychological factors, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, and self esteem issues
• An upbringing that may have induced sexual shame
• Other sexual issues, like premature ejaculation and trouble reaching orgasm
• Use of medications, including certain blood pressure medications, SSRIs, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants
• Neurological conditions like stroke and Alzheimer’s disease
• Penis abnormalities
  

Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

Treating erectile dysfunction involves understanding the underlying conditions that may be contributing to your issues and then treating those conditions. It also involves making certain lifestyle changes and considering medications to treat erectile dysfunction.

If you have an underlying condition, like high blood pressure or diabetes, sometimes treating these conditions will improve your erectile dysfunctions symptoms.  Often, it helps to make some lifestyle changes to further improve symptoms. This may include:

• Stopping smoking
• Reducing alcohol consumption
• Exercising more
• Stop using illicit drugs
• Seeking mental health counseling for mental health issues that may be impacting your erectile dysfunction

Medication has a role to play in treating erectile dysfunction symptoms. First of all, if your healthcare provider thinks that a certain medication you are taking may be contributing to symptoms, they may try a different medication to see if your symptoms decrease. Additionally, your physician may recommend a medication that directly treats erectile dysfunction. Options include Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra.

How to Prevent Erectile Dysfunction

Not every case of erectile dysfunction can be prevented, but many of the factors contributing to erectile dysfunction are preventable. For example, quitting smoking, steering clear of alcohol, controlling your blood pressure, and managing your diabetes all can reduce the chances of you experiencing erectile dysfunction.

Exercising daily and adopting healthier eating habits can also prevent erectile dysfunction. The National Institutes of Health recommends eating whole grains, low fat dairy, lean meat, and plenty of fruits and veggies as one way to help prevent erectile dysfunction. They also recommend at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

You should see a healthcare provider if you are having trouble getting an erection or maintaining it throughout sexual relations. It can be stressful and embarrassing to talk to your provider about this issue, but you can rest assured that many people experience erectile dysfunction. Moreover, there are many treatments for the condition, and reaching out to your provider is the first step on a path toward managing erectile dysfunction and having a more satisfying sex life.

Many people first reach out to their primary care provider (PCP) to discuss erectile dysfunction. Your PCP may be able to diagnose and treat you, but you may also need to see a specialist, such as a urologist. Diagnosing erectile dysfunction may include a discussion of your sexual history and symptoms. Blood work, a physical exam, and an ultrasound of your penis and pelvic area may be needed as well.

A Quick Review

Many people assume that there’s a connection between masturbation and erectile dysfunction. But this is a myth. People who masturbate—even frequently—aren’t more likely to experience erectile dysfunction. If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, you shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider. There are effective treatments for the condition.