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Excessive Smartphone Use May Harm Male Sexual Function, Warns Online Doctor

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Excessive smartphone use, particularly exposure to blue light and constant dopamine stimulation, may negatively impact male sexual function, according to a Japanese online doctor.
  • The doctor explains that blue light disrupts sleep and lowers testosterone, while excessive dopamine hits from short videos can lead to desensitization, affecting arousal.
  • Prolonged sitting associated with phone use also worsens blood flow to the pelvic area, contributing to erectile dysfunction.

Men who spend excessive time on their smartphones may be jeopardizing their sexual health, warns a popular Japanese urologist with a significant online following. Dr. Mochida Kurazo suggests a strong correlation between smartphone addiction and erectile dysfunction, attributing the issue to several key factors stemming from constant device usage.

One primary concern is the impact of blue light emitted from screens, especially when used in the bedroom. This light suppresses melatonin production, hindering sleep quality. Insufficient sleep directly affects testosterone levels, a crucial hormone for male libido. Lower testosterone can lead to decreased sex drive and contribute to erectile difficulties.

Smartphone addiction/heavy use has a surprising association with erectile dysfunction.

— Dr. Mochida KurazoThe Japanese urologist explains the link between heavy smartphone use and sexual health issues.

Furthermore, the constant stream of stimulating content, such as short videos, triggers significant dopamine release in the brain. Dr. Mochida explains that this intense stimulation can lead to a tolerance, similar to gambling addiction, where real-life experiences fail to elicit the same level of excitement. This desensitization can manifest as erectile dysfunction, as the brain becomes accustomed to extreme virtual stimuli.

The brain's operating mechanism for smartphone addiction/video addiction is exactly the same as gambling addiction.

— Dr. Mochida KurazoDr. Mochida compares the neurological effects of smartphone addiction to other forms of addiction.

Information overload and the stress associated with constant connectivity, particularly through social media, also play a role. High stress levels prompt the body to produce cortisol, a stress hormone that can suppress testosterone production. Additionally, the sedentary nature of prolonged smartphone use impairs blood flow to the pelvic region and weakens pelvic floor muscles, both of which are vital for achieving and maintaining an erection.

Dr. Mochida recommends simple yet effective strategies to mitigate these risks. These include avoiding phones in the bedroom, limiting single usage sessions to under 30 minutes, taking regular breaks to stand and move, and consciously reducing social media consumption. By making conscious changes to smartphone habits, he believes individuals can effectively prevent and improve erectile dysfunction.

Blue light suppresses the secretion of 'melatonin,' which helps sleep, reducing sleep quality.

— Dr. Mochida KurazoThe doctor details how blue light from screens affects sleep and hormone production.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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