Erectile dysfunction (ED) is often cited as a problem for older men. With many possible causes ranging from type 2 diabetes to high blood pressure, it is very common for middle-aged men and older to get affected by ED.
There is less discussion that younger men can also be susceptible. Although it is difficult to determine the exact ratio, especially since many men are too embarrassed to see a doctor, we know that many people between the ages of 20 and 30 suffer in silence.
One study found that erectile dysfunction has affected 26% of men under 40, half of whom had severe erectile dysfunction. Other research by the Massachusetts Male Aging Study has found that the proportion of men with mild or moderate erectile dysfunction roughly correlates with their age.
A recent study by the Coop Pharmacy also suggested that 50% of 30-year-old men were struggling with erectile dysfunction which is the highest percentage of any age group. Almost half of these men mentioned stress in their work and personal life as the problem.
While this study may not have been scientifically recognized, it suggests at least some explanations for what is occurring, and that in younger men the causes are less likely to be physical.
The younger the man, the greater the likelihood that erectile dysfunction has a psychological component. It is very difficult to get large samples from young men who admit that they are not getting a good erection. It is not talked about, but there is an approximate figure that 40% of people aged 40 or younger complain of some type of erectile problem. Of that 40% to 60% are psychological, so a large part of it is anxiety-related, or it may be a problem with pornography or depression that is reducing their libido.
Psychological Causes
Clinically, erectile dysfunction is classified as a permanent or recurring inability to maintain an erection. This means that if you have the occasional ED, it can be due to the influence of drugs or alcohol so there is nothing to worry about. However, if the inability to achieve an erection triggers performance anxiety and leads to a regular condition, it is advisable to seek treatment.
Physiologically’ what is happening is very simple when you feel anxious, your body releases stress hormones like adrenaline, the fight or flight chemical. This narrows the blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to the penis and there are some medication like Cenforce 100, Fildena 100, Vidalista 20 and many more that help to increase blood flow.
Depression and anxiety along with fatigue, and a feeling of low confidence can make you lose interest in activities you normally enjoy, including sex. This hardly leads to optimal sexual function. In a study from 2015, 12.5% of men treated for sexual disorders also had depression, and out of it, about 25% had anxiety.
Is Pornography the Culprit?
Beyond these types of mental health issues, doctors believe there is another common culprit for pornography-induced erectile dysfunction (PIED) in younger men. Whether this is a widespread phenomenon, the causes and effects of pornography mix up here, and it’s hard to say whether the ubiquity of porn is leading to higher rates of erectile dysfunction. However, the pattern applies to some men. You can easily maintain an erection while watching porn but the trouble to get an erection arises with a partner.
You are in your teenage years when you watch porn that is your learned sexual experience. It becomes the way your brain relates to sex, and it’s very problematic because loving on your laptop or phone screen avoids all of the social and physical nuances of sex.
Not only does pornography create unrealistic expectations about sex including how your partner will look, but it can also cause you to get used to self-stimulation and become less receptive to the sensations of intercourse. Doctors also believe that they can prepare to respond to novelty in the first place.
With porn, you go from one video to another and from one new person to another, which is very exciting but trying to translate this into real life with a single person can degrade that relationship and become less exciting in terms of novelty and excitement.
If your porn use is causing problems, it can be helpful to see a psychosexual specialist. You can also visit websites like Your Brain on Porn that recommend abstinence. The idea is that you are treating the addiction by stopping the stimulus.
Other Causes
It is worth noting that while erectile dysfunction in young men is usually psychological, it is not generally the case. According to a recent study, metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors are often overlooked in this age group. A young person is unlikely to have a heart problem or a cholesterol problem, but not impossible.
Kidney and liver problems can also contribute to erectile problems. Another possible problem is Peyronie’s disease, where the penis becomes severely bent due to scar tissue. And if you’ve always had trouble getting an erection, blood flow to your penis may be somehow restricted. Not to mention unhealthy lifestyle choices that can affect vascular function.
There are also some genetic conditions where the testes don’t make a lot of testosterone, which in itself could be a problem. While Cenforce, Fildena 150, Tadalista, and similar drugs help many men with erectile dysfunction, for the proper sexual function it is important to address the underlying condition first. Some people with erectile problems take Cenforce or Vidalista and get their erections back, but as they age, their erections go away even with ED drugs. That’s because they don’t know what’s causing the sexual stimulation.
So essentially when you are battling ED there can be several different issues at play, and what applies to you may not apply to someone else. It’s worth putting aside any embarrassment and having an honest conversation with your doctor.