Answer:

Sexual activity is a natural and essential need for men of all ages. Healthy sexual activity reduces stress, improves sleep, and combats chronic diseases associated with aging. According to the American Urological Association (AUA), a normal testosterone level for adult men is 300 nanograms/dl. Below this level, patients are diagnosed with low testosterone, which affects sexual desire and ability. After the age of 30, testosterone levels decrease by 0.8-1.4% annually. Approximately 25-30% of men over 60-70 years old still have sexual desire, which is a normal physiological function.

However, many men choose to watch sex films to improve or increase libido, which can harm both mental health and sexual life.

Initially, many individuals feel increased desire and are easily aroused. However, this often leads to a decrease in desire for real partners and difficulty achieving arousal during actual intercourse. The primary reason is that the brain becomes overstimulated. When consuming sex content, the brain releases dopamine, creating feelings of pleasure. If stimulated too frequently, the brain gradually becomes desensitized, requiring stronger or newer content to achieve the same effect.

Sex addiction can cause men to lose interest in real partners, experience difficulty with erection, or struggle to reach orgasm, even while still watching films. At this stage, they need stronger stimulation to feel anything, leading to a lack of mental focus, and even obsession and dependence on sex films.

Many individuals watch sex films daily, some even becoming dependent, needing to watch anytime, anywhere, often with the fear of being discovered. If unable to watch, they become unpleasantly bored; the more they watch, the more addicted they become. Sex addiction is often accompanied by masturbation addiction, forming a vicious cycle that leads to numerous mental and sexual health consequences. The degree of impact varies among individuals.

Doctor examining a patient. Photo: Doctor provided.

Warning signs include watching increasingly more content but feeling less satisfied, decreased interest in real-life intimacy, and preferring solitude to watch rather than being close to a partner. In many cases, individuals struggle to achieve orgasm without films and lose control over their viewing time.

For mild cases, most patients improve by reducing viewing frequency. Adequate sleep, exercise, and increased emotional and real-life intimate interactions are beneficial. Avoid overly intense or rapid masturbation. Refrain from using stimulants or addictive substances that heighten sexual desire. If excessive desire is due to underlying medical conditions, doctors need to identify the cause and treat it through psychological therapy, counseling, or medication. Parents should provide sex education to their children to limit secretive viewing or seeking information from unofficial websites, which can harm children's health and well-being.

Master, Doctor Pham Quang Khai

Department of Urology and Andrology, E Hospital