Erectile dysfunction is a common sexual issue that men face. Men with ED have problems getting or keeping an erection for at least a month. Some men will have an erection, but notice it is not as stiff as before or does not allow for penetration.
While it’s hard to know the precise proportion, not least because so many men are too embarrassed to see a doctor, what we do know is that many 20- and 30-somethings are suffering in silence.
Anxiety and depression, two things millennials experience at high rates can lead to issues getting an erection.
Erectile Dysfunction is typically considered something men may experience later on in life (statistically speaking ED rates do increase with age) several “young” men are also reporting problems either obtaining and/or maintaining an erection.
With younger men, psychological problems are the likeliest reason for erectile dysfunction. Tension and anxiety may arise from poor communication with the sexual partner or a difference in sexual preferences.
How Common Is ED In Young Men?
In fact, in younger men with ED, even more than in older ones, recognizing CV risk factors or conditions suggestive of cardio-metabolic derangements can help to identify men who, although at low absolute risk due to a young age, carry a high relative risk for development of CV events.
While the physical complications may be mild, the emotional effects on a young man’s quality of life may be more severe.
One major sign of depression is withdrawal from things that once brought pleasure, including sexual intercourse.
Many, if not most, men in this age group do very well with maximum dosages of the PDE5 inhibitors. Sometimes this is combined with a constriction band.
Sexual difficulties may also be linked to these factors:
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Feelings of inadequacy
- Personal sexual fears
- Rejection by parents or peers
- Sexual abuse in childhood
- Multiple sclerosis
- Certain prescription medications
- Tobacco use
- Peyronie’s disease — development of scar tissue inside the penis
- Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse
- Sleep disorders
ED in young men was assessed by outlining the prevalence according to recent epidemiologic studies. The pathophysiology, diagnostic considerations, risk factors, and etiologies were reviewed.
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, there was a 71% increase in the amount of serious psychological distress experienced by young adults ages 18-25 between 2008 and 2019.
Ethan Davis
Things you can do to help with erectile dysfunction
While ED is commonly viewed as a condition affecting older men, the condition is becoming increasingly more prevalent in younger men. It is estimated that about 30% of men below 40 years are finding it hard to achieve hardness in the bedroom.
Healthy lifestyle changes can sometimes help erectile dysfunction.
- lose weight if you’re overweight
- stop smoking
- eat a healthy diet
- exercise daily
- try to reduce stress and anxiety
ED in young men is an increasingly common condition. A careful diagnostic evaluation should focus on the identification of any underlying etiology to ensure the appropriate management of patients.
How can one tell the difference between ED that is psychological or stress-related and ED that is a heart disease risk? Dr. Walker said he can usually tell from an initial conversation.
We’re looking at causes and there’s a definite correlation with the introduction of high-speed broadband because the nature of how young men watch porn has changed as a result of high-speed broadband.
If you’re having erection problems, your local doctor or sexual health clinic is the good first point of contact.
Can You Prevent Erection Problems?
Erection problems are most often caused by a physical problem. So it’s important to eat healthy foods and get enough exercise to help you stay in good health.
Leading a healthy lifestyle, losing weight, and also exercising more often can help you potentially increase your sex drive.
If a young man is experiencing erectile difficulties, she warns, it can affect his confidence around sex and his sexual performance may be affected.
