What the mobile phone does to masculinity

It's within easy reach on the nightstand, in your pocket, or with you throughout the day: the smartphone. Hardly any other device has infiltrated our daily lives so deeply. But what many men don't realize is that the constant presence of the screen can noticeably impair our sex life. Studies show that even relatively short screen time significantly increases the risk of erectile dysfunction.

Beatrix Roidinger is a clinical sexologist specializing in male sexuality. She founded "Best Lover" and offers online coaching through the "Best Lover Academy." She is part of our EXPERTS Circle . The content represents her personal perspective based on her individual expertise.

With every message, every video, and every new clip, the brain is stimulated anew. Attention jumps from one stimulus to the next, without a break. This constant activation keeps the nervous system on alert. There's hardly any room for rest, rest, and relaxation. But the body needs this to build desire and develop a stable erection. Those who scroll through feeds for hours in the evening not only notice tired eyes, but also a waning energy and enthusiasm in bed.

A study of more than 200,000 men illustrates the magnitude: Just one hour of surfing or gaming a day is enough to increase the likelihood of erectile dysfunction several times over. Interestingly, this effect doesn't apply to television or driving, but specifically to digital screen time. Smartphones are even more critical in this regard because they are constantly at hand and often used late into the night.

Cell phone use usually means sitting. Spending many hours a day motionless in front of a screen weakens blood circulation – including in the pelvic area. Healthy blood vessels, however, are the foundation for a stable erection. The longer the body remains in a passive position, the greater the risk that the blood vessels will become sluggish and their function will decline.

Smartphones have made pornography consumption more accessible than ever before. But this ready availability comes at a price . Frequent dopamine hits from changing clips dull the reward system. Real-life intimacy and eroticism seem less exciting in comparison. Over time, this can lead to a lack of desire and difficulty achieving an erection or even orgasm.

The smartphone has become an indispensable part of everyday life. But its impact on sexuality should not be underestimated. Sleep problems, hormonal imbalances, lack of exercise, stress, and a lack of closeness all impact erectile function. Consciously creating screen-free time not only gives your body more space, but also your desire.

This article is from the EXPERTS Circle – a network of select experts with in-depth knowledge and many years of experience. The content is based on individual assessments and is aligned with the current state of science and practice.