The medication Sildenafil, more commonly recognised as ‘Viagra’, has been in circulation for the past twenty-five years, since its FDA approval. Inherently, its use isn’t problematic; the drug is highly efficacious in improving erectile dysfunction. However, a trend seems to be emerging; the escalating use of and reliance on Viagra, particularly among young men, to enhance their sexual performance. The key issue is that men in their twenties should possess sufficient levels of libido to engage in regular intercourse without medical intervention. So why don’t they?
To explore this issue, it is essential to assess how societal factors have affected young men both physically and psychologically, to the detriment of their sexual health. Firstly, from a physical standpoint, it is important to mention that testosterone levels in men are directly linked to their libido levels. The average levels of testosterone have decreased significantly in men from the 1980s to the present day, at a rate of approximately one percent annually, according to a study from the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Many men live lifestyles that no longer support their mental and physical health, which has a direct link to their levels of testosterone. Environmental factors impact this greatly, through a declining quality of food from generations past. This is evident through rising global obesity levels, which among other issues, is directly linked to erectile dysfunction.
One cannot, nevertheless, separate physical health from psychological health, and it seems as though the two are inextricably linked in this context. The impact of pornography on mental wellbeing is an under-discussed topic amongst young men. I should differentiate between the act of masturbation and the consumption of pornography; two actions often conflated yet distinct in their psychological impact. Masturbation is a natural and healthy process, in which dopamine is released in the brain. When pornography is added into the mix, however, it can have deleterious effects on both a young man’s mental and sexual health. Anecdotally, most men would concur that this induces a temporary state of lethargy and a general lack of drive. This response stems from our primal reproductive instincts, where the brain interprets the fulfilment of the important biological task of procreation and responds by shifting into a parasympathetic state. This can hinder men in certain aspects of life and indirectly reduce the boost in testosterone they would receive from activity. Often, young men encounter sexually explicit material at a very young age, as the mechanisms of puberty are only beginning. From this age, the regular consumption of pornography conditions the brain to become aroused by watching others engage in sexual acts, rather than anything real. It would be foolish to assume that this is healthy and wouldn’t have a negative impact on the way young men view sex. Compounding this issue is the hyper sexualization of women in pornography and general media, which presents unrealistic depictions of women, creating distorted expectations.
A fascinating attribute of the human brain is that of its natural craving for novelty, which can lead to an intense desire for more extreme scenarios, which people often seek out within pornography. Over time, this can create a desensitisation effect, reducing the arousal and satisfaction derived from real-life sexual experiences. This yearning for novelty is also prevalent in real long-term relationships, where couples may introduce new elements to maintain a good sex life. Unlike in a relationship where these topics are negotiated, balanced and consented to, pornography offers an infinite, unregulated spectrum of novelty catering to the dopamine demanding minds of men.
“Pornography offers an infinite, unregulated spectrum of novelty catering to the dopamine demanding minds of men”
In my view, the openness between men around pornography use can lessen as we get older. While an increasing amount of empowering discourse has been taking place in which women are encouraged to embrace their sexuality or use of pornography, it seems to be a highly shameful topic for men, particularly in our early adult years. I feel it is as if we know the content we are viewing does not align with our nature, but it is difficult to navigate through life without it, whether that be from use in our younger years, or simply how readily available it is. So, is there an obvious solution to this? It is hard to imagine that the media will tone down the use of sexually explicit content any time soon, so taking things into our own hands seems to be the only viable option. If there were more safe spaces in which men felt comfortable talking about how their issues are created, they may be more likely to confront what is troubling them through more holistic means, rather than with medication: and perhaps the problem wouldn’t be one which affected so many men in the first place. Pornography depicts perfection and creates an unrealistic expectation of what intercourse really looks like.
“If there were more safe spaces in which men felt comfortable talking about how their issues are created, they may be more likely to confront what is troubling them through more holistic means, rather than with medication: and perhaps the problem wouldn’t be one which affected so many men in the first place”
Instant gratification is highly sought after in society today. Young men are opting to use Viagra as a quick fix to enhance their sexual performance, due to the pressures placed on them and the unrealistic expectations they have of sex due to porn and the media at large. Choosing this path should not be viewed as shameful, and can certainly enhance relationships in the interim, however it is crucial to address the factors which underlie the issue. Fostering conversations surrounding the natural progression of relationships, and normalising the issues which an increasing amount of men are faced with, can offer young men the chance to develop meaningful connections and gain the confidence to lead fulfilling sex lives and have an overall healthier relationship with sex in the long term.
