THAILAND – A Thai medical academic warned that excessive pornography consumption can cause serious sexual problems, including erectile dysfunction, and risk destroying intimate relationships after he shared his findings on Facebook, touching off a wide public discussion.
Study links porn to sexual dysfunction
Associate Professor Dr. Weerasak Charuschaisri of Srinakharinwirot University cited an international 2021 study published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, which surveyed 3,419 men aged 18 to 35. The research found that men who consumed pornography regularly had a 70 percent higher risk of erectile dysfunction than occasional users. The study also associated heavy porn use with premature ejaculation and difficulty achieving orgasm, particularly among younger men.
How the brain is affected
Dr. Weerasak explained the problem in neurological terms: prolonged exposure to high volumes of visual sexual stimuli can overstimulate the brain’s reward system. He said the nervous system becomes accustomed to an “overdose” of stimulation and real-life sexual situations may no longer produce the same response. “The brain needs ever more extreme stimuli — reality becomes boring,” he warned, describing how habituation can blunt arousal with a partner.
Psychological symptoms and relationship strain
Beyond physical symptoms, Dr. Weerasak noted that many affected men developed stress, anxiety and shame as they struggled in bed, which eroded self-esteem and strained relationships. He listed typical warning signs as loss of interest in partner-based sex, trouble with erection or ejaculation, and a compulsive urge to watch pornography even when it interfered with daily life.
Advice and the 90-day detox
As a practical measure, the academic recommended a radical step: a complete 90-day abstinence from pornography. The aim of the so-called detox is to give the brain’s reward pathways time to recover from continuous digital overstimulation. Dr. Weerasak said many men could regain sexual function and renewed interest in real intimacy after this period.
Public debate and calls for education
His Facebook post provoked wide reaction in Thailand, with thousands of comments, shares and messages thanking him for addressing a subject that is often taboo. Many young men reportedly recognised themselves in the symptoms and sought help. Health experts have since emphasised the importance of public education about how digital habits can affect mental and sexual health, saying awareness and intervention offer good prospects for recovery. The debate is continuing as professionals call for more open discussion and resources.