According to a new analysis, published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, the number of young men suffering from erectile dysfunction may be much higher than previously thought.

Erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence or ED, occurs when a man is unable to sustain an erection which is sufficient for sexual intercourse.

Prime treatment options for ED are the drugs Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. However, according to a study presented at the 28th Annual EAU Congress, despite the high prevalence of ED, most patients receive no treatment.

Previous research, led by physician-scientists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, revealed that 65 percent of men with ED are unable to have an orgasm and 58 percent have problems with ejaculation.

Most erectile dysfunction (ED) complaints are among men above the age of 40 and prevalence increases with age.

However, the risk and prevalence of erectile dysfunction among young people hasn’t been looked at very thoroughly.

Researchers have identified that one quarter of men seeking help for ED are younger than 40. Half of these men reported severe ED.

Paolo Capogrosso, MD, of the University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, in Milan, Italy, and his team assessed a total of 439 men who were seeking medical help because of ED at an academic outpatient clinic between January 2010 and June 2012.

114 (26 percent) of the men were under the age of 40. The younger patients tended to have a lower body mass index, more testosterone in their blood and a lower rate of concomitant medical conditions.

Smoking and illicit drug use was more common in young men and they were also more likely to experience premature ejaculation.

The rate of severe erectile dysfunction was higher among the younger patients compared to the older ones (48.8 percent versus 40 percent respectively).

Dr. Capogrosso said that the study showed the importance of thorough physical examinations among all men with erectile dysfunction, regardless of their age.

He added:

“These findings, taken together with those of other studies showing the importance of erectile dysfunction as a potential “sentinel marker” of major diseases, outline the importance of taking a comprehensive medical and sexual history and to perform a thorough physical examination in all men with erectile dysfunction, irrespective of their age.”

Irwin Goldstein, editor-in-chief of The Journal of Sexual Medicine, concluded:

“Erectile function, in general, is a marker for overall cardiovascular function – this is the first research showing evidence of severe erectile dysfunction in a population of men 40 years of age or younger. Clinically, when younger patients have presented with erectile dysfunction, we have in the past had a bias that their ED was primarily psychologic-based and vascular testing was not needed.

We now need to consider regularly assessing the integrity of arterial inflow in young patients – identifying arterial pathology in such patients may be very relevant to their overall long-term health.”

Some companies offer erectile dysfunction (ED) pills online without the need for a prescription. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not regulate these products, so they may not be safe. Some might contain harmful ingredients that the manufacturers do not list on the label.

According to the FDA, the number of ED products available online is increasing. However, people must be vigilant and avoid unregulated ED remedies, including those that manufacturers claim to be “natural supplements.”

This article will look at some drugs that help with ED, the risks associated with buying them online, and where to get ED pills safely. It will also discuss some other ways of treating ED.
Pills for ED
It is much safer to purchase ED pills from a licensed pharmacy than online.

Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors are medications that males can use to help treat ED. These drugs prolong erections by blocking the action of phosphodiesterase enzyme, which triggers the end of an erection.

The FDA have approved the use of four PDE-5 inhibitors for ED:
Drug name Dose
avanafil (Stendra) 50 milligrams (mg), 100 mg, 200 mg
sildenafil (Viagra) 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg
tadalafil (Cialis) 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg
vardenafil (Levitra) 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg

Depending on the efficacy and side effects a male may experience while taking any of these drugs, doctors may recommend a different dosage.

PDE-5 inhibitors are also available on prescription in other formats. For example, alprostadil (Muse) is a suppository that males can insert into the urethra of the penis. The same medication is also available in an injectable form called Caverject.
Is it safe to buy ED pills online?

People should not buy ED pills online unless they have a prescription from a doctor and are purchasing them from a reputable online pharmacy. The FDA do not regulate online ED products to check that they are safe.

According to an FDA report, around one-third of ED supplements they assessed contained other prescription drugs or other unlisted ingredients. Six out of 17 products contained sildenafil or another PDE-5 inhibitor.

This means that ED products available online could contain harmful substances or high amounts of drugs that consumers are not aware of. Taking high doses of PDE-5 inhibitors such as vardenafil can cause:

back pain
muscle pain
abnormal vision

Since 2004, the FDA have identified the following products as unsafe:

Actra-Rx
Hero
Libidus
Naustra
NaturalUp
Neophase
Vigor-25
Xiadafil VIP
4EVERON

A man can experience ED for a number of reasons. Men of all ages can experience the condition. While people associate getting older with ED, this does not have to be the case.

Certain conditions that affect blood flow can cause ED, including:

diabetes
high blood pressure
history of alcohol and tobacco use
history of brain or spinal cord injuries
history of radiation to the testicles
multiple sclerosis
Parkinson’s disease
bladder or prostate surgery
stroke

Taking certain medications is also associated with ED. These include antidepressants, blood pressure-lowering medicines, and medications for pain.

In addition, mental health disorders, anxiety, or a dysfunctional relationship with a partner can all contribute to ED in men.
Outlook

ED is a common and often treatable condition affecting men. Although doctors have not conducted specific research studies related to how dehydration specifically affects ED, there are other studies and literature that can establish a link.

However, dehydration is usually a temporary condition and not typically the sole contributor to long-term ED. If a man is consistently having trouble getting or maintaining an erection, he should talk to his doctor for a diagnosis.
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