The Porn Problem No One’s Talking About
It’s the elephant in the room of Indian sexuality. The thing everyone knows exists but pretends doesn’t.
Internet pornography.
And it’s wreaking havoc on the sexual health of young Indian men.
As an Ayurvedic doctor, I’ve seen a 50% increase in patients under 35 seeking help for erectile dysfunction in the last three years alone. The culprit? Excessive porn consumption.
This isn’t your father’s Playboy magazine. We’re talking about unlimited, on-demand access to every sexual act imaginable. And it’s rewiring young brains in ways we’re only beginning to understand.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
India ranks third globally in daily traffic to porn sites, despite technically banning such content. A 2022 survey by the Indian Journal of Psychiatry found that 67% of Indian men aged 18-30 report watching porn at least weekly.
But here’s the story: 41% of those same men reported experiencing some form of sexual dysfunction.
Coincidence? The research says otherwise.
A 2020 study in the International Journal of Impotence Research found that Indian men who watched porn for more than 300 minutes per week were 3.2 times more likely to report erectile dysfunction compared to those who watched less than 30 minutes.
The Neuroscience of Novelty
Our brains weren’t designed for this much sexual stimulation. Porn hijacks the reward system, flooding it with dopamine. Over time, the brain becomes desensitized, requiring more extreme content to achieve the same high.
“It’s like eating spicy food every day. Eventually, normal flavours become bland.”
This desensitization bleeds into real-life sexual encounters. Young men find themselves unable to perform with actual partners, leading to a cycle of anxiety and shame and further retreat into the world of pixels and fantasies.
The Ripple Effect
The impact goes beyond the bedroom. A 2021 study in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine found that young men with porn-induced ED were,
- 2.5 times more likely to report symptoms of depression
- Three times more likely to have relationship problems
- 1.8 times more likely to engage in substance abuse
One 26-year-old patient told me, “I’d rather stay home and watch porn than go on dates. It’s easier, and I don’t have to worry about disappointing anyone.”
This isolation only exacerbates the problem, creating a feedback loop of shame and addiction.
Cultural Context: The Perfect Storm
India’s complex relationship with sexuality creates a breeding ground for this issue. Limited sex education, taboos around discussing sex, and easy access to smartphones have created a generation of young men using porn as their primary source of sexual information.
Many of these young men have never had a frank discussion about sex with anyone. Porn becomes their teacher, and it’s a terrible one.
The Path to Recovery
Breaking free from porn-induced dysfunction isn’t easy, but it’s possible. Here’s what works.
1. Recognizing the problem is the first step.
2. A period of abstinence from porn and masturbation can help reset the brain’s reward system.
3. Practices like meditation can reduce stress and anxiety, common triggers for porn use.
4. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can address underlying issues and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
5. Learning about authentic human sexuality, not the fantasy version portrayed in porn.
6. Building genuine relationships and intimacy skills.
A patient who successfully overcame his addiction shared: “It was hard at first, but now I feel more alive. I can connect with my wife without constantly comparing her to porn stars.”
This isn’t just about individual men. It’s about the future of relationships, families, and society. We need,
- Comprehensive sex education in schools
- Open dialogue about the potential harms of excessive porn use
- More research into the long-term effects of pornography on the brain
- Support systems for those struggling with addiction
The stakes are too high to ignore this issue any longer.
A Call to Action
If you’re struggling with porn-induced sexual dysfunction, know that you’re not alone. Seek help from a qualified professional. There’s no shame in addressing this problem.
For parents, educators, and policymakers: It’s time to have honest conversations about pornography and its impact on young people. We can’t afford to keep this epidemic in the shadows.
The future of Indian masculinity and healthy sexuality depends on our ability to face this challenge head-on.
Are you ready to break the silence?
2 comments
Respected dear Sir, I always wonder how you can bringout an article that is the need-of-hour! This itself shows your holisitic approach to life! A great article. I feel, this article is worth to be published in newspaper too, Nationwide. This will help in health and would help in other social crimes too. Always super sir. Thanks, for always, as always
thank you so much