Why 54% of Canadian men are trying to cut back on porn

A new survey shows that more than half are making repeated attempts to quit or reduce porn use, but only 4% have sought professional help

Published Aug 09, 2026  •  3 minute read

A new MedExpress survey of 1,0222 Canadian men finds that more than half are making attempts to quit or reduce porn use, with many citing libido, intimacy and sexual performance as reasons. Photo by iStockphoto /Getty Images

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Porn is everywhere. It’s free, easy to find and, for the most part, something men are expected to deal with privately.

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But a new survey suggests more Canadian men are questioning what all that porn is doing to their sex lives — and trying to cut back.

MedExpress surveyed 1,022 Canadian men in 2026 and found 54% are currently trying to reduce or quit porn. Among Gen Z men, that number climbs to 65%.

The reasons are telling: Restoring natural libido and arousal (28%), improving intimacy with a partner (26%) and reducing reliance on porn to feel aroused (25%).

Nearly one in four respondents (24%) said they believe they currently have or have had porn-induced erectile dysfunction, or PIED. Among men watching porn five or more times a week, 18% said they currently have PIED, compared with 1% of men who don’t watch porn — an 18-fold difference.

Dr. Karim Vellani, chief medical officer at MedExpress Canada. Photo by MedExpress Canada

Is PIED ’caused by the psyche, physiology, or both’?

Dr. Karim Vellani, chief medical officer at MedExpress Canada, said the findings reflect what clinicians hear from men who feel something has changed in how their bodies respond.

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“Yes, it corresponds to what we hear. First, the 24% correlates with what we hear anecdotally: Men who feel like something has changed in the way their body responds and who cannot be sure if the problem is caused by the psyche, physiology, or both,” Dr. Vellani said.

He also pointed to the sharp difference among frequent users, saying it “corresponds to what clinicians see during consultations related to the frequency of masturbation and sexual desensitization.”

Porn lowered desire for real-life sex

There’s an important caveat: The survey measures what men believe is happening to their bodies. It does not prove porn caused their erectile problems.

Still, 56% reported at least one physical or arousal symptom they believe is connected to porn. Nearly three in 10 (28%) said they need more extreme or novel porn to feel aroused. Another 24% said porn has lowered their desire for real-life sex, while 20% said sex with a real partner has become less satisfying.

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“The science is catching up,” Dr. Vellani said. “As of now, the prevailing idea among clinicians is that frequent use of porn leads to changing the expectations of the brain and may lead to some difficulties with responding to real-life intimacy.”

He acknowledged the survey is not scientific research, but said the 56% reporting physical or arousal symptoms provides “an additional piece of evidence regarding the prevalence of this problem.”

What happens when men try to quit on their own?

Those who have tried to cut back or quit have made an average of four attempts. For Gen Z men, the average is five. Forty-four per cent of current attempts have lasted less than two weeks, while only 13% have lasted longer than a year.

Yet just 4% have spoken with a healthcare professional about porn-related sexual concerns. Another 16% have thought about getting help but haven’t. Among heavy users, 25% have considered speaking to a professional, but only 3% followed through.

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Vellani said stigma is part of the problem. Men may also be unsure whether their concerns belong to sexual, mental or relational health, while many simply try to fix things themselves.

“Our data shows that these men tried on average four times to change their habits without receiving help,” he said.

‘This problem is much more common than most men realize’

The survey isn’t proof that porn is causing a sexual-health crisis. But it does suggest many men are concerned enough about their relationship with porn to keep trying to change it.

“This problem is much more common than most men realize,” Dr. Vellani said. “Close to one quarter of respondents believes they have or have been experiencing PIED. Besides, more than half have noticed something concerning their body in connection to their viewing of porn.”

His hope is that more men will stop trying to navigate those concerns alone.

“Fortunately, 54% are trying to change their habits and our hope is that they will continue doing it by turning to a healthcare professional,” he said.

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