Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat the Research SaysCauses of EDCan Masturbation Help?Treating ED

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What the Research Says

Causes of ED

Can Masturbation Help?

Treating ED

This article takes a look at the role masturbation plays (and doesn’t play) in erectile dysfunction. It also describes the risk factors for ED and what can be done to treat it a condition that affects around 30 million people in the United States.

saulgranda / Getty Images

A person with beard and mustache in bed looking concerned

Facts About Masturbation and Erectile Dysfunction

Masturbation does not cause erectile dysfunction.

The myth that “jerking off” can do so stems from misconceptions about the actual causes of ED, coupled with moral beliefs and personal attitudes that can often demonize masturbation, portraying it—and sexuality in general—as anything less than healthy and normal.

These misconceptions helped fuel a growing online community of over 780,000 followers, called NoFap, which challenges members to abstain from masturbation to “strengthen mental and physical health” and “improve social and romantic interactions.”

While there is no scientific evidence that masturbation affects thepenisor the ability to achieve or maintain anerection, some studies suggest that there may be an indirect link.

Is Masturbation Addiction Possible?

The myth that masturbation causes ED was founded in part on the belief that masturbating “too much” traumatizes the penis, damaging blood vessels and nerves that enable erections and provide sensations to the penis.

While it is true that a traumatic injury such as apenile fracturecan cause ED, there is little to no evidence that masturbation is a cause in the absence of injury.

With respect to masturbating in excess, a 2023 review of studies in theInternational Journal of Impotence Researchfound no association between the frequency of masturbation and the risk of ED.

It has long been suggested that masturbating to porn is “bad” for you and can adversely affect sexual performance and function. To date, there is little evidence that porn in and of itself “causes” ED or any other sexual problem, such asdelayed ejaculation.

Porn can cause sexual dissatisfaction.This, in turn, can contribute to ED and other sexual issues.

A 2019 review of studies in theJournal of Clinical Medicinesuggests that compulsive porn use (porn addiction) gradually reduces a person’s responsiveness to sexual stimuli. In time, even watching porn itself may fail to produce an erection.

On a deeper level, compulsive porn use is linked to an increased risk of anxiety and depression, which, in turn, can contribute to the risk of ED. A 2020 study involving 1,031 university students found that more than 20% of compulsive porn users reported “severe” to “extremely severe” levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.

The Facts About Porn and Erectile Dysfunction

What Does Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction, the inability to achieve or sustain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse, has both physical and psychological causes. The causes often overlap and make the other worse.

Physical CausesBeing over 50DiabetesHigh blood pressureHeart diseasePeyronie’s diseaseChronic kidney diseaseSpinal cord injuryObesitySmokingAlcohol or drug useCertain medications likeantidepressantsPsychological CausesDepressionStress and anxietyRelationship problemsStress at home or workCultural or religious guiltSexual performance anxietyLow self-esteem

Physical CausesBeing over 50DiabetesHigh blood pressureHeart diseasePeyronie’s diseaseChronic kidney diseaseSpinal cord injuryObesitySmokingAlcohol or drug useCertain medications likeantidepressants

Being over 50

Diabetes

High blood pressure

Heart disease

Peyronie’s disease

Chronic kidney disease

Spinal cord injury

Obesity

Smoking

Alcohol or drug use

Certain medications likeantidepressants

Psychological CausesDepressionStress and anxietyRelationship problemsStress at home or workCultural or religious guiltSexual performance anxietyLow self-esteem

Depression

Stress and anxiety

Relationship problems

Stress at home or work

Cultural or religious guilt

Sexual performance anxiety

Low self-esteem

Pinpointing the exact cause of ED can be complicated because physical and psychological causes are often deeply intertwined. A person with physical causes of ED will often develop depression and anxiety, which can lead to increased drinking and worsening ED symptoms.

Will I Get ED When I’m Older?

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction You May Not Know

Effects of Masturbating on Erectile Dysfunction

In the same way that masturbating doesn’t cause ED, masturbating frequently is not a strategy to avoid it. The adage “use it or lose it” doesn’t apply to ED as there are many possible causes, some of which you can control but others you can’t.

Even if it is not able to entirely overcome ED, masturbation can help people explore their sexuality and learn about their bodily responses in ways that help build healthy sexual relationships.

Why Sudden Erectile Dysfunction Is a Problem

If You Have Erectile Dysfunction: Steps to Treatment

A combination approach is often needed and may include:

Do I Need Counseling?Even if the cause of your ED is entirely physical, counseling may be recommended to help you better cope with emotions, increase communication between you and your partner, and find ways to have a satisfying sex life despite the challenges.

Do I Need Counseling?

Even if the cause of your ED is entirely physical, counseling may be recommended to help you better cope with emotions, increase communication between you and your partner, and find ways to have a satisfying sex life despite the challenges.

How Erectile Dysfunction Is Treated

Summary

It is a myth that masturbation—even frequent masturbation—causes erectile dysfunction (ED). However, some studies suggest that masturbating compulsively to porn can lower your response to sexual stimuli and reduce erections. Compulsive porn use is also linked to high rates of anxiety and depression, both of which contribute to ED.

While it is also a myth that masturbation can help prevent ED, masturbation can help relieve stress and anxieties that contribute to erection problems.

13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for erectile dysfunction.Mascherak A, Reidick MC, Gallinat J, Kuhn S.Is ejaculation frequency in men related to general and mental health? Looking back and looking forward.Front Psychol.2021;12:693121. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.693121Sank LI.Traumatic masturbatory syndrome.J Sex Marital Ther. 1998;24(1):37-42. doi:10.1080/00926239808414667Kafkasli A, Yazici O, Can U, et al.Traumatic masturbation syndrome may be an important cause of erectile dysfunction in pre-mature ejaculation patients.Andrologia.2021 Oct;53(9):e14168. doi:10.1111/and.14168Rowland DL, Castleman JM, Bacys KR, Csonka B, Hevesi K.Do pornography use and masturbation play a role in erectile dysfunction and relationship satisfaction in men?Int J Impot Res. 2023;35(6):548-557. doi:10.1038/s41443-022-00596-yDwulit AD, Rzymski P.The potential associations of pornography use with sexual dysfunctions: an integrative literature review of observational studies.J Clin Med.2019;8(7):914. doi:10.3390/jcm8070914Wéry A., Billieux J.Online sexual activities: an exploratory study of problematic and non-problematic usage patterns in a sample of men.Comput. Hum. Behav.2016;56:257–266. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2015.11.046Camilleri C, Perry JT, Sammut S.Compulsive internet pornography use and mental health: a cross-sectional study in a sample of university students in the United States.Front Psychol.2020;11:613244. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.613244National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of erectile dysfunction.Echeverri Tirado LC, Ferrer JE, Herrera AM.Aging and erectile dysfunction.Sex Med Rev. 2016;4(1):63-73. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2015.10.011Planned Parenthood.Is masturbation healthy?Herbenick D, Fu TC, Wasata R, Coleman E.Masturbation prevalence, frequency, reasons, and associations with partnered sex in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from a U.S. nationally representative survey.Arch Sex Behav.2023;52(3):1317–1331. doi:10.1007/s10508-022-02505-2National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for erectile dysfunction.

13 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for erectile dysfunction.Mascherak A, Reidick MC, Gallinat J, Kuhn S.Is ejaculation frequency in men related to general and mental health? Looking back and looking forward.Front Psychol.2021;12:693121. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.693121Sank LI.Traumatic masturbatory syndrome.J Sex Marital Ther. 1998;24(1):37-42. doi:10.1080/00926239808414667Kafkasli A, Yazici O, Can U, et al.Traumatic masturbation syndrome may be an important cause of erectile dysfunction in pre-mature ejaculation patients.Andrologia.2021 Oct;53(9):e14168. doi:10.1111/and.14168Rowland DL, Castleman JM, Bacys KR, Csonka B, Hevesi K.Do pornography use and masturbation play a role in erectile dysfunction and relationship satisfaction in men?Int J Impot Res. 2023;35(6):548-557. doi:10.1038/s41443-022-00596-yDwulit AD, Rzymski P.The potential associations of pornography use with sexual dysfunctions: an integrative literature review of observational studies.J Clin Med.2019;8(7):914. doi:10.3390/jcm8070914Wéry A., Billieux J.Online sexual activities: an exploratory study of problematic and non-problematic usage patterns in a sample of men.Comput. Hum. Behav.2016;56:257–266. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2015.11.046Camilleri C, Perry JT, Sammut S.Compulsive internet pornography use and mental health: a cross-sectional study in a sample of university students in the United States.Front Psychol.2020;11:613244. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.613244National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of erectile dysfunction.Echeverri Tirado LC, Ferrer JE, Herrera AM.Aging and erectile dysfunction.Sex Med Rev. 2016;4(1):63-73. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2015.10.011Planned Parenthood.Is masturbation healthy?Herbenick D, Fu TC, Wasata R, Coleman E.Masturbation prevalence, frequency, reasons, and associations with partnered sex in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from a U.S. nationally representative survey.Arch Sex Behav.2023;52(3):1317–1331. doi:10.1007/s10508-022-02505-2National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for erectile dysfunction.Mascherak A, Reidick MC, Gallinat J, Kuhn S.Is ejaculation frequency in men related to general and mental health? Looking back and looking forward.Front Psychol.2021;12:693121. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.693121Sank LI.Traumatic masturbatory syndrome.J Sex Marital Ther. 1998;24(1):37-42. doi:10.1080/00926239808414667Kafkasli A, Yazici O, Can U, et al.Traumatic masturbation syndrome may be an important cause of erectile dysfunction in pre-mature ejaculation patients.Andrologia.2021 Oct;53(9):e14168. doi:10.1111/and.14168Rowland DL, Castleman JM, Bacys KR, Csonka B, Hevesi K.Do pornography use and masturbation play a role in erectile dysfunction and relationship satisfaction in men?Int J Impot Res. 2023;35(6):548-557. doi:10.1038/s41443-022-00596-yDwulit AD, Rzymski P.The potential associations of pornography use with sexual dysfunctions: an integrative literature review of observational studies.J Clin Med.2019;8(7):914. doi:10.3390/jcm8070914Wéry A., Billieux J.Online sexual activities: an exploratory study of problematic and non-problematic usage patterns in a sample of men.Comput. Hum. Behav.2016;56:257–266. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2015.11.046Camilleri C, Perry JT, Sammut S.Compulsive internet pornography use and mental health: a cross-sectional study in a sample of university students in the United States.Front Psychol.2020;11:613244. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.613244National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of erectile dysfunction.Echeverri Tirado LC, Ferrer JE, Herrera AM.Aging and erectile dysfunction.Sex Med Rev. 2016;4(1):63-73. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2015.10.011Planned Parenthood.Is masturbation healthy?Herbenick D, Fu TC, Wasata R, Coleman E.Masturbation prevalence, frequency, reasons, and associations with partnered sex in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from a U.S. nationally representative survey.Arch Sex Behav.2023;52(3):1317–1331. doi:10.1007/s10508-022-02505-2National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for erectile dysfunction.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for erectile dysfunction.

Mascherak A, Reidick MC, Gallinat J, Kuhn S.Is ejaculation frequency in men related to general and mental health? Looking back and looking forward.Front Psychol.2021;12:693121. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.693121

Sank LI.Traumatic masturbatory syndrome.J Sex Marital Ther. 1998;24(1):37-42. doi:10.1080/00926239808414667

Kafkasli A, Yazici O, Can U, et al.Traumatic masturbation syndrome may be an important cause of erectile dysfunction in pre-mature ejaculation patients.Andrologia.2021 Oct;53(9):e14168. doi:10.1111/and.14168

Rowland DL, Castleman JM, Bacys KR, Csonka B, Hevesi K.Do pornography use and masturbation play a role in erectile dysfunction and relationship satisfaction in men?Int J Impot Res. 2023;35(6):548-557. doi:10.1038/s41443-022-00596-y

Dwulit AD, Rzymski P.The potential associations of pornography use with sexual dysfunctions: an integrative literature review of observational studies.J Clin Med.2019;8(7):914. doi:10.3390/jcm8070914

Wéry A., Billieux J.Online sexual activities: an exploratory study of problematic and non-problematic usage patterns in a sample of men.Comput. Hum. Behav.2016;56:257–266. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2015.11.046

Camilleri C, Perry JT, Sammut S.Compulsive internet pornography use and mental health: a cross-sectional study in a sample of university students in the United States.Front Psychol.2020;11:613244. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.613244

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of erectile dysfunction.

Echeverri Tirado LC, Ferrer JE, Herrera AM.Aging and erectile dysfunction.Sex Med Rev. 2016;4(1):63-73. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2015.10.011

Planned Parenthood.Is masturbation healthy?

Herbenick D, Fu TC, Wasata R, Coleman E.Masturbation prevalence, frequency, reasons, and associations with partnered sex in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from a U.S. nationally representative survey.Arch Sex Behav.2023;52(3):1317–1331. doi:10.1007/s10508-022-02505-2

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?