Erectile dysfunction in young men: Causes and treatments

Erectile dysfunction becomes more common with age, but it can affect young males. Treatments can be effective for people of all ages.

Erectile dysfunction (ED), once called impotence, occurs when the penis does not receive enough blood to produce an erection for satisfactory intercourse.

ED is very common — most males experience difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection at some point. According to some estimates, ED affects 30 millionTrusted Source males in the United States alone.

This article looks at how aging affects ED. We also explore the risk factors, causes, and treatments.

Can young people have ED?

Many people think of erectile problems as an older adult’s issue, but they can affect younger males, as well.

According to some estimates, ED affects 8%Trusted Source of males aged 20–29 years and 11% of those aged 30–39 years.

The data also suggest that the number of people under 40 seeking medical attention for ED is increasing.

Many factors that contribute to ED can occur at any age. These include physical and emotional factors — both of which are important for sexual activity.

Some contributing factors 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.
How does age affect ED?

Age is a main risk factor for ED. According to some estimates, males have a 40%Trusted Source chance of having some form of ED by their 40s. The risk then increases about 10% per decade.

While people are more likely to develop ED as they get older, aging does not directly cause it. ED is not a normal part of aging — some males are sexually active into their 80s.

However, as people get older, they are more likely to develop medical conditions that increase the risk of ED. These include:

type 2 diabetes
high blood pressure, or hypertension
a buildup of plaque in the arteries, called atherosclerosis
low testosterone levels, or hypogonadism
obesity

In fact, diabetes and atherosclerosis are the two most commonTrusted Source medical problems that cause ED.

Meanwhile, erectile problems can be a side effect of medications that people are more likely to take as they get older, such as blood pressure medications, tranquilizers, and ulcer medications.
Causes of ED

These vary widely and can include psychological, neurological, and lifestyle-related factors. ED can also be a side effect of some medications.

Stress, anxiety, and lifestyle factors can contribute to ED at any age, while physical factors are more likely to play a role for older adults.

Physical causes include conditions that affect the vascular system, the nervous system, or the hormone system. Some of these causes include:

mental health issues, such as stress and anxiety
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, ED is caused by factors such as an unhealthful diet, a high level of stress, a lack of exercise, and smoking. By addressing these issues, people can often improve or resolve their ED symptoms.

However, even if a person suspects that they know the cause of their ED, they should still see a doctor for a diagnosis. This is because ED can be an early sign of some other medical problems.
Symptoms

The main definition of ED is trouble getting or maintaining an erection that is firm enough or lasts long enough for intercourse.

A person with ED may:

be able to get an erection, but not every time they want to
have erections that do not last as long as desired
be unable to have an erection

It is important to note that occasional trouble with erections is common for males.

If these issues happen regularly or are getting progressively worse, however, it can signal ED, and the person may benefit from treatment.
Complications

Physical complications of ED are generally mild. However, ED may be a symptom of a more serious health problem, such as heart disease.

Meanwhile, the emotional effects of ED can be significant. People may experience:

stress or anxiety about sexual activity
low self-esteem
emotional distress
relationship problems

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 males.
Treatments

The best approach varies from person to person — some find that changing lifestyle factors is enough to resolve their ED, while others require professional treatment, such as medication.

When treating ED, a doctor or another medical professional may suggest the following:
Lifestyle changes

These can reduce many factors linked with ED. A person might benefit from:

quitting smoking
drinking less alcohol
maintaining a healthful weight
getting regular exercise
following a healthful diet
improving the quality and amount of sleep

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