Dramatic increase in EQ following... nofap?

[Gabriel]

Hey guys,

For 5-7 years, I have suffered from ED, which I thought was totally psychological (performance anxiety, stress lowering libido, insecurity --> vicious circle, etc.).

Two years ago, I progressively lost my nocturnal erections, which were sort of fine until then.

One year and a half ago, Peyronies Disease started, with a possible physical parameter detected about ED (Dr. Sussman told me that I might have veinous leakage). I was prescribed Cialis, which helped a lot with ED; but I wouldn't be able to get and maintain a solid erection without it (neither with a partner, neither at night). I had my testosterone tested several times: it was dramatically decreasing, to the level of an old man (I'm 31, healthy lifestyle, etc.).

Seven months ago, after extensive research and in a very pragmatic/experimental perspective, I started nofap (I was having porn and masturbation every single day since I was 14). It was very, very tough at first; I went through several periods of absolutely no desire, with alternatively shorter periods of great sex drive; erections were still problematic though.

2-3 months ago, I really entered in some kind of sexual hibernation: absolutely NO desire nor will to spend time with a woman, insensibility to anything related to sex (and to a lots of things, actually). Yet I was'nt unhappy: I focused on my work, meditation, sports, cool lonely activites... It was quite a good period finally, which lasted from september to late november approximately.

Then, all in a sudden, I started to have raging nocturnal erections, which would even wake me up, and last for dozens of minutes; this without Cialis, nor any medication, which I had stopped taking for 2 weeks at this time (consecutively to an hospitalization for a colitis, but that's not the point). One week or so later, I started to have spontaneous erections with my thoughts wandering about girls; for only the third time in my life, I even had a nocturnal emission; no return of a real sex drive yet.

Last week, I had drinks with a girl who I know likes me, but in whom I'm not very interested. Yet, at some point, and to my greatest surprise, I started to have a semi-erection just talking to her. Guys, this has not happened to me since I was... 20, not to say 18. I finally brought her home, and while we started to cuttle, I felt the usual huge sex anxiety I have been carrying for years; but for the first time in more than ten years, this monumental anxiety was totally swept off in 3 minutes by a raging erection that started to grow steadily. Neither the pain (I'm still very acute) nor the shame of my deformity nor my fear of "doing it wrong" could stop it. So, I had kind of technically complicated intercourse (because of pain and deformity) yet VERY rewarding sex, without any ED, and without experiencing prematurish ejaculation.

Guys, actually I couldn't explain with words how I felt. The feeling of myself, of my physical processes, of the moment and of the girl to my side was at the same time intense, passionate, confident and serene; just like it was when I was having sex in my late teenage years. I never, never would have thought that would be possible again. And even after this intercourse, I spent a great part of the night having rock solid erections; then every night until then. I even had sex with another friend three days ago: things went exactly the same way, with my usual surge of anxiety being swept off by indestructible physical processes of erecting and wanting the person in front of me.

SO, this brings me to THE question: why and how the F did this happen??? (and will it last, but that's more a personal problem, and only time will tell). I only see three hypothesis:
- A week before nocturnal erections massively came back, Dr Virag injected me two shots of PRP+HA directly in the corpora cavernosa (he says it helps with ED) along with the regular injections in the plaque.
- A week after it started, I started a homonal therapy that is supposed to progressively increase testosterone over 3 weeks (and I just got my blood tests: it did work).
- Several months before, I started nofap, and seem to be precisely experiencing a process that a lot of persons report (withdrawal, short flatlines/sex drive periods, then huge flatlines, then a dramatic return of EQ and sex drive).

--> So, I obviously say it with much caution, but my gut feeling would be that I might be experiencing the end of a porn/masturbation withdrawal process, and be happily getting out of a huge flatline with the help of hormone therapy and maybe the PRP shots.

Anyway, for this and for all the other psychological benefits I won't be developping here, I'm telling it to you very sincerly: guys, if you happen to have any degree of porn addiction or ED, please try going nofap seriously. Not for days or weeks, but for months; not in an ideological or spiritual perspective, but in a pragmatic and empirical one.

And if anyone has any question, or if anyone has ever experienced something similar, I'd love to hear it!!

Take care,

G

[Bubba dawg]

Ya this is pretty much a proven fact. Too much porn and/ or masturbation can lead to ed. Can lead loss of desire for real sex with a woman. The internet porn is ruining many sexual relationships and relationships in general. Creating unrealistic expectations. Normal sex is now too boring. Keeping your balls drained. I learned this a long time ago when I had a lot of porn movies and did not have internet porn. Still men married to menopausal women have to do something. The length between sex encounters can be long. Very frustrating when you actually do get lucky and you cant get it up because you have been masturbating to porn too much

[Hawk]

Gabriel,

I want to thank you for a very fascinating post.  I read every word of with great interest.   Please keep us updated.  

[diehardpatriot]

Dude. Last year I used to have sex or masturbate almost every day.  I used to never wake up with an erection, i was 17. . Since I've stopped, I wake up with nocturnal erections. Now I never had ED but my EQ was not as good as when I would abstain for at least a few days. My penis was much more filled and full if I wasn't jerking it everyday. I think In the long term ejaculating every single day can't be good for penile health, just my opinion  

[TonySa]

Actually, science indicates just the opposite. The more frequently one masturbates or as sex w others, the better is their penile health and for longer.  Also, there are no medical studies I'm aware of indicating porn is problematic.  However,!if one is addictived to anything—including masturbation or sex w others it can create problems.  For example, having sex w less than 75-80% full erection or so roughly to create micro traumas could lead to peyronies.

[Hawk]

I checked out the Nofap website which I had never heard of.  They make a pretty interesting case.  I have also known those that were addicted to porn and have read studies that it floods the brain with serotonin and brain activity scans look very similar to a drug-induced state.  I have not extensively looked into this however because it is not an issue with me.

[Bubba dawg]

Good article on the subject :

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/love-and-sex-in-the-digital-age/201401/is-male-porn-use-ruining-sex%3famp

I

[Gabriel]

Hey guys!

Hawk, thanks a lot for your support, it's always a pleasure :-)!!

Buddies, if you want a first approach of all this, I strongly recommend you the reading of Your brain on porn's website: https://www.yourbrainonporn.com/miscellaneous-resources/start-here-evolution-has-not-prepared-your-brain-for-todays-porn/

--> It's very well made, documented, different from Nofap (which has a more chaotic approach, as it is a very heterogeneous community, with people ranging from cartesian pragmatic folks to weird anti-sex spiritualists), and, according to me, it makes much sense.

I myself have read tons of contradictory studies and scientific articles about this... As always, I chose to go pragmatic and empiric, try to avoid confouding factors as much as possible all along the process, and I must say I quickly was astounded: first by the tremendous difficulty of quitting porn/masturbation for nothing but 2 days, then by the crazy rollercoasting psycholgical and physiological effects, and finally by what might be a marvelous comeback of a sexual and even vital bliss (but I may be too optimistic about this, so I don't want to push it too far yet).

So, for now, wait and see :-)...

[Hawk]

Hey guys!

Buddies, if you want a first approach of all this, I strongly recommend you the reading of Your brain on porn's website: https://www.yourbrainonporn.com/miscellaneous-resources/start-here-evolution-has-not-prepared-your-brain-for-todays-porn/

--> It's very well made, documented, different from Nofap (which has a more chaotic approach, as it is a very heterogeneous community, with people ranging from cartesian pragmatic folks to weird anti-sex spiritualists), and, according to me, it makes much sense.

Man!  That is one extensive analysis.  I spent quite a bit of time on that site.  Thanks for the link.

[TonySa]

I must admit a lot of new information for me.

I did find it sugnificant that the main tack away is that internet porn can be addictive and disadvantageous to some...in terms of Erectile Dysfunction (not peyronies).  However, the report specifically distinguishes this from masturbation:
"This is nonsensical and completely muddies the discussion. YBOP is only concerned with internet porn use, not the pros, cons, or frequency of masturbation."

The report goes on to say after rebooting the brain from internet porn some may be able to return to it (internet porn).

NoFAP always concerns me in that it can be sex negative and blames those with the condition-whatever that may be...such as peyronies.

As with anything, addictive or not, only if it actually causes a problem for the individual is it an issue.  For example, masturbation does not cause peyronies (unless rough on the penis).  

That said, if one has Erectile Dysfunction and believes they have an internet porn addiction, why not try the rebooting approach proposed.  If it helps, great.  If not, move on to medical treatments and even enjoy your porn.

[Gabriel]

Hey Tony,

I couldn't agree more with you. The emerging studies/reflections/testimonies about porn's harmful effects on EQ (and psychology in general?) should be distinguished from considerations about masturbation without porn (which to my mind is bad for Peyronie's, but that's another story). That's why I recommend you all reading YBOP more than the Nofap sites, which are sometimes dubious, although sometimes interesting when you find a good testimony.

About masturbation, just my two cents here: I did try to go back to it (without porn) after 5 months of "reboot", when I saw a first improvement in EQ and overall in physiological desire towards my partners, ie when I felt I was almost cured. Well, after 3 or 4 masturbation sessions in a few weeks, I felt like sh*t, lost a lot of EQ and most of all my re-emerging interest in sex. NEVERTHELESS, I cannot say at all that these symptoms were caused by going back to masturbation: they could have been caused by a great lot of parameters (more work, end of holidays, life considerations, etc.), and in this case I cannot distinguish causal, confondant or irrelevant parameters; so this has to be taken with caution.

Anyway, in doubt, I went back to full abstinence; and, without any moral/spiritual/ideological consideration here, I am glad to say that I don't miss porn or masturbation at all and am greatly happy for the more time and energy that this allows me now.

So I can only encourage you to explore this no porn and eventually nofap way: you may experience totally unsuspected physical and psychological benefits, and if not, you'll still be able to go back to it whenever you want ;-)!

[Bubba dawg]

I think this applies to anything you do. Moderation. Do everything in moderation. Even sex. Just because you can doesnt mean you should.

[JS1991]

Congrats, Gabriel, and enjoy your new NoFap "super powers" !