A lot of us think of erectile dysfunction as a sexual health dysfunction of older men. The truth is, ED can affect young men, too. Yes, even guys in their 20s and 30s can have ED. What causes erectile dysfunction in young men? Stay with us, and we will tell you all about the causes and treatment for ED in men who are supposedly at the peak of their sexual prowess.
Causes of erectile dysfunction in young men
Medical conditions
- Hormonal imbalance – A hormonal imbalance can cause erectile dysfunction. Low levels of the hormone testosterone can affect a young man’s sexual desire or libido. Without adequate libido, a man might be unable to achieve erections. High levels of the hormone prolactin also increase the risk of ED. When a man has excess prolactin, it interferes with the brain’s signal to the testicles. This results in reduced production of testosterone and can lead to ED.
- Obesity – Excessive weight or obesity can cause a host of other health issues, including diabetes, low testosterone, and reduced blood flow. These health issues can make it difficult to achieve an erection. In addition, obesity can result in psychological issues such as poor self-image and anxiety. These psychological issues contribute to ED.
- Diabetes – Diabetes is a health condition that can affect people of all ages. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels. Damaged nerves can prevent the sexual arousal that’s required to attain erections. Damaged blood vessels mean less blood flows to the penis during erections.
- Cardiovascular issues – These negatively affect the amount of blood flowing to various parts of the body, including the penis. Restricted blood flow to the penile arteries means the penile tissues won’t be able to store enough blood required for erections.
- Neurological problems – Nerve damage, spinal cord injuries, and multiple sclerosis can lead to ED. Nerve damage reduces sensation during sex and can prevent sexual arousal. Nerve damage also prevents signals from the brain from reaching the penis. Without these signals, the penis won’t know when to initiate erections.
Psychological factors
- Stress – Young men can experience stress from work and personal problems. Financial issues can also become stressors. Stressors can dampen the sexual performance of young men. Stress also increases the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. High levels of cortisol reduce the production of testosterone. It also affects blood vessel function, so less blood gets into the penis.
- Relationship issues – Young men are not exempt from relationship issues. These issues can stem from a lack of trust or communication. It can also come from sexual incompatibility with a partner. Relationship issues can strain the emotional connection between partners. This emotional disconnection can act as a barrier to sexual arousal and intimacy, which can lead to ED.
- Performance anxiety – Performance anxiety is common among young men and can be caused by several issues. A young man can experience performance anxiety if he is worried that he won’t live up to his partner’s expectations in bed. Performance anxiety can also stem from a bad experience in a previous relationship. In addition, a young man with limited sexual experience might have performance anxiety because he might not know what to do when it’s time to do the deed.
Lifestyle and behavioural factors
- Alcohol and substance abuse – Alcohol abuse can lead to erectile dysfunction because it interferes with nerve and hormone pathways. The use of marijuana, cocaine, and other recreational drugs can also lead to erectile dysfunction in young men. According to an article published by the National Institutes of Health, 36.4% of men who abuse illicit drugs reported experiencing ED. Substance abuse is often associated with reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, and infertility.
- Smoking – Cigarettes contain nicotine and other harmful substances that damage the blood vessels. Smoking can also cause erectile dysfunction due to diabetes and cardiovascular issues. These health conditions increase the risk of developing ED.
- Excessive consumption of pornography – Watching pornographic materials might be normal in young men, but excessive consumption of pornography can desensitise the arousal response. Pornographic materials might also set a high bar for young men when it comes to sex. This high bar can lead to disappointment and low libido when an actual sexual experience fails to measure up to their expectations.
Custom treatment for Erectile Dysfunction
Although sexual health dysfunctions such as ED and PE can affect young men, they are easy to manage with the right treatment. Custom treatment for erectile dysfunction is available to effectively manage ED and PE. This custom approach can be a combination of the use of medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes to treat the root cause of ED and PE.
At Men’s Health Clinic (MHC), we offer custom-compounded treatments specifically tailored to your health profile. We analyse each patient’s complete health profile and consider any comorbidities or underlying conditions. We can determine the ideal ingredients and dosage for their custom formulation. This personalised approach helps in reducing side effects and targets the root causes of sexual dysfunctions.
If you’re ready to experience a treatment designed just for you, book a free consultation and take the first step towards a more effective, personalised solution for ED.
Final Thoughts
Learning about the causes and treatment for ED in young men is the first step towards healing. Erectile dysfunction among young men can be caused by psychological, medical, or behavioural issues. These issues can affect anyone and don’t make a person less of a man. If you are a young man experiencing ED, avail yourself of custom treatment today. With the help of a licensed medical professional, you can put the horrors of ED and PE behind you and become the epitome of youthful vigour that you are meant to be.
