Causes of Erectile Dysfunction in Young Men

The number of people under 40 seeking medical attention for erectile dysfunction (ED) is increasing. Studies consistently show that ED is more prevalent in aging populations. However, complaints of Erectile Dysfunction even in younger men are becoming more and more frequent.

Some contributing factors to Erectile Dysfunction in younger men include:

having anxiety, depression, or feelings of shame or guilt about sexual activity

experiencing significant stress, about sex or something else

smoking

drinking alcohol in excess

using recreational drugs

having overweight or obesity

having a lack of physical activity

using workout supplements, testosterone boosters, or over-the-counter erectile aids

At any age, making adjustments such as lowering levels of stress and exercising more frequently can help improve erectile problems and boost overall health.

Physical causes of Erectile Dysfunction include conditions that affect the vascular system, the nervous system, or the hormone system. Diabetes and atherosclerosis are the two most common medical problems that cause ED.

Some of these causes include:

sleep disturbances, such as sleep apnea

high blood pressure

heart or blood vessel disease

atherosclerosis

obesity

chronic kidney disease

Peyronie’s disease, or penile curvature

hypogonadism

penile abnormalities, such as those affecting the foreskin

injury to the penis, spinal cord, prostate, bladder, or pelvis

In many cases, Erectile Dysfunction is caused by factors such as an unhealthy diet, a high level of stress, a lack of exercise, and smoking. By addressing these issues, people can often improve their ED symptoms.

Younger adults may find ED particularly uncomfortable to manage or talk about, due to the misconception that it only affects older people. In actuality, ED is relatively common in younger men.

Erectile Dysfunction in younger men is likely to be overlooked and dismissed without performing any medical assessment, even the most basic ones. However, evidence shows that, in younger subjects, ED is being reported and more common than many previously believed.

In younger men, diabetes and cardiovascular disease are often big contributing factors to ED. Having either of these conditions increases the chances of the onset of ED at a younger age. Even more importantly, if you are a younger man with ED it may be indicative of problems with your cardiovascular health, which is why it is so important for young men to discuss their erectile function with their doctors.

Sources: 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316215#outlook

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5313296/