I have a question: regarding PMO, I'm quite different from the other people I read about. I have been watching a lot of porn for the past 6-7 years (I'm 22), but never ever have had any ED. I've always been extremely horny and I believe I have premature ejaculation, but I'm able to have an erection in a few seconds anytime I want. I have no problems masturbating without porn (I can last even up to 20 minutes) and I enjoy it much more this way, actually. So my question is: Do I have to quit masturbation too, or porn is enough? The truth is that I love masturbation without watching porn. It feels amazing and I always think about moments with my ex-girlfriend or fantasize about girls I know while doing it (never about porn). Actually many times when I masturbate (without porn, of course) I become happier, more optimistic about getting a girlfriend (maybe because I prove myself I can last much more than during porn). I think I should mention the fact that I'm still a virgin. I've reached the point of getting a few handjobs from the two girlfriends I've had, but that's it. I believe I will be a very good sexual partner, but I want to find a girl I love, not just sleep with someone for the sake of it. Finding a girl and approaching her is extremely difficult for me because I'm not that popular kind of boy, I don't drink, smoke and I don't go to clubs, but I'm smart, creative, open, funny, helpful and friendly. It's just that many of the girls aren't looking for what I am, although they say they are. But this is a totally different thread to talk about. So, what are your advice for me? Do you think I will find a girlfriend soon if I just try talking to girls and eventually find one who will go out with me? Can I masturbate from time to time (let's say once a week) and just quit porn, or do I have to quit masturbation too? (I haven't done any of them for 2 weeks now) Thank you, spiderboy
Hi. I believe you have to quit masturbation too. It also increases dopamine levels greatly, and includes fantasizing, which is against recovery from PMO. Personally, I am addicted to MO only, not PMO, but still I have realized MO's bad effects. Quit PMO completely, a week to two weeks perhaps, and see the result yourself.
I think it's really down to what makes you tick. I don't think there's anything wrong with masturbation per se, but I do know that for me it's a slippery slope from say, masturbating in the shower, to opening myself up to urges and porn again. So I can't trust myself with masturbation and that's just how I've got to approach my reboot. It's probably good advice to abstain from masturbation to begin with in your fight against porn, you'll find it easier to fight temptation if you're exercising self-control over the whole of your sexuality, not just a part of it. And then after a while if you think you can bring back masturbation safely, and that it would be a positive thing for you to do, then that's up to you. We all have our own paths to walk.
