Erectile Dysfunction in Young Men

Erectile Dysfunction in Young Men
Manoj Kumar Published : Feb 04, 2024 Last Updated : Feb 07, 2024

You might consider erectile dysfunction as a condition that generally affects older men. But nowadays, it can also happen to men in their 20s. It is noticed that almost 30% of young men deal with ED disorder. In young men, ED might be related to performance anxiety, stress, depression, or lifestyle choices like smoking & drinking alcohol too much.

What is Erectile dysfunction?

 Erectile dysfunction is a sexual ailment that affects millions of men across the world. Though it is often linked with aging but now ED can also occur in younger men in their 20s and 30s.

 Erectile dysfunction can be an uncomfortable and annoying condition to deal with. As a man, it is necessary to understand that ED is usually caused by psychological or underlying medical factors that can be treated.

Can you experience Erectile dysfunction in your 20s? 

Yes, it is possible. Though erectile dysfunction is more often linked to older men, it can affect men of all ages, including men in their young age. 

As a man, if you experience Sexual Dysfunction occasionally then it is normal. It can be due to various reasons like fatigue and stress. But when erectile dysfunction happens consistently or frequently then it might show underlying problems.

With the right support from a doctor, it is easy for young men to regain their confidence and treat erectile dysfunction. 

Remember erectile dysfunction is a treatable condition and it has nothing to do with defining your ability to have pleasing sexual experiences.

Causes of ED in the 20s or in young Age

 Here are some common causes of erectile dysfunction in the 20s:

 Heart disorders

 When it comes to getting an erection and maintaining it, healthy blood circulation is important.

 Atherosclerosis; is a condition in which your arteries get blocked and this can be a major cause of erectile dysfunction. 

 High blood pressure or hypertension is another heart disease that increases your chance of experiencing ED due to its negative effect on blood vessels.

 The potential damage caused by hypertension is responsible for affecting complete blood flow in your body.

 This further affects blood circulation in soft penile tissue when you are sexually stimulated.

 Obesity

 Obesity is another factor that increases your risk of suffering from diabetes and hypertension.

 In case, you are overweight in your 20s then losing excess weight can aid in decreasing your chance of experiencing ED.  

Hormonal disorders

 It is a true fact that hormonal issues like low levels of testosterone in your body can cause a lack of sexual drive and erectile dysfunction.

 When there is an increased level of prolactin, a hormone that the pituitary gland produces, it can lead to ED among young men. 

 When thyroid levels in your body become abnormally low or high, this can contribute to the cause of ED in men. 

 Diabetes

 Diabetes is a condition that involves increased levels of blood glucose that can cause damage to blood vessels.

 It also includes blood vessels which are responsible for bringing blood to erectile tissue at the time of an erection.

 This further affects nerves present inside the male sexual organ and the ones surrounding them, affecting sexual arousal. 

 Smoking

 Smoking is directly linked to erectile dysfunction because products containing tobacco damage the cardiovascular system. 

 Cigarettes contain chemicals such as nicotine that affect blood circulation in your body and damage the heart. 

 This further leads to cardiovascular conditions which cause erectile dysfunction in the 20s. 

 Depression

 You need to understand that the brain is where desire and motivation for sexual activity originate. 

 Depression brings a disbalance in brain chemicals required to increase blood circulation to achieve hard erections.

 As a result, your sexual drive is decreased and your sexual performance is also affected. 

 Performance anxiety

Sexual performance anxiety is one common problem that causes ED in their 20s.

You might feel nervous or anxious about your appearance or power to satisfy your partner, making it hard to get an erection.

 Remember sexual performance anxiety is one major factor that is associated with erectile dysfunction.

 Problem wearing condom

 You can also struggle to put a condom on the right way or face the same problems that cause you to lose erection. 

 However, if you are in your 20’s and going through this problem then don’t worry because you are not alone.

 Some men can experience condom-associated erection problems because of ill-fitting condoms or how they affect sensation in male sexual organs. 

 To enjoy a safe sexual activity with a partner, make sure you know how to use condoms in the right way. 

 It is important to buy the right size because this can help you to avoid the CAEP problem.

 What are the symptoms of ED in young men? 

 In young men or men in their 20s, the main symptoms of erectile dysfunction are failure to produce or maintain a hard erection.

 Erectile dysfunction symptoms in young men can range from mild to serious.

 Mild symptoms usually be able to achieve and sustain an erection for sexual intercourse.

 On the other hand, severe symptoms would never be able to get or maintain a hard erection. 

 More severe ED symptoms are generally experienced by older men and not by men in their 20s.

 Erectile dysfunction is completely related to erections and below are common symptoms

  • Flaccid erections
  • Urination issues
  • Incomplete erections
  • Semen secretion that is followed by weak erections
  • Hard erections in the morning with flaccid erections before sexual activity
  • No early morning erections 

 What are the complications of erectile dysfunction in young men?

 Men who are not able to function sexually properly often experience a serious impact on their sexual lives.

 This is because their sexual satisfaction is hampered. Men start experiencing stress and shame as they lose erections during sexual intercourse.

 As a result, mental and social well-being is impacted negatively.

 In case, you experience erectile dysfunction at a young age without any related conditions then there is a risk of developing them.

 ED and chronic diseases like obesity, smoking, diet, and alcohol have common risk factors.

 Remember erectile dysfunction can be an early indicator that it’s time to improve your existing lifestyle.

 How men in their 20s can fix their erectile dysfunction disorder?

 When it comes to erectile dysfunction, there can be several factors behind it including medical and psychological problems.

 Here are some most effective ways that can assist you in managing erectile dysfunction in your 20s.

 Consult a doctor

 Consulting a doctor is important because this will help in rooting out problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

 Depending on your condition, a doctor can recommend medicine or other treatments to improve your sexual function and health. 

 They will also assist you in recognizing medicines that can have erectile dysfunction as a side effect.

 In case, you are not experiencing results, then talk to a doctor about the ED medicines you use and check other options as well. 

 Mindfulness meditation

 For ED, mindfulness meditation has been proven to be a successful treatment.

 Several young men who experience ED due to psychological issues often experience positive results with mindfulness practice.

 This method aids men to focus on the present moment during sexual intercourse by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. 

 In this way, mindfulness meditation prevents erection issues. This type of meditation eliminates performance anxiety and fights against depression.

 Several ED patients find this method to be effective in dealing with erectile dysfunction.

 ED medicines

 Some people might find prescription medicines to be scary at 20 years of age, but ED treatments are the most effective and safe options. 

 Drugs like Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and Avanafil are FDA-approved medicines to treat erectile dysfunction disorder in men.

 These medicines are PDE-5 inhibitors and work by preventing certain enzymes that prevent erection from getting started.

 Nowadays, you can find chewable ED medication in different flavors which is easy to consume.

 However, ED medications should be taken only after a prescription from a doctor to achieve maximum benefits.

 Choose a healthy lifestyle

 When trying to fix ED or understand how to prevent ED, it is important to pay attention to your lifestyle.

 Making certain lifestyle changes and habits can improve health, boost sexual performance, and treat erectile dysfunction. 

 In case, you are in your 20s and experiencing symptoms of ED then try making the below-stated changes:

 

  • Avoid the consumption of alcohol strictly
  • Start losing weight, if you are overweight or obese
  • Eliminate your drug usage for ED treatment and overall well-being
  • Quit smoking

 Try involving pelvic floor exercises in your daily routine as they are helpful in improving erectile function.

 Effective communication in your relationships

 Relationship problems often contribute to erectile dysfunction in young men.

 Make sure to communicate with your partner about your feelings honestly and openly.

 In case, ED is caused due to performance anxiety then simply sharing your concerns with your partner can decrease ED problems.

 There are certain cases where feelings of anger or bitterness between partners leak in the bedroom. 

 When your head is elsewhere, it is difficult to stay aroused enough to achieve a hard erection.

 By resolving conflicts, you can easily sort out this problem and enjoy a good sexual time with your partner.

 Vacuum devices

 Vacuum devices are effective in treating erectile dysfunction disorder in younger men.

 These devices work by creating a vacuum that draws blood into male sexual organs, causing hard erections. 

 For men experiencing ED, vacuum devices are safe and effective for achieving hard erections.

 Before you start using vacuum devices, it is vital to consult a doctor once to ensure their safe usage.

 Thus, you don’t need to suffer from erectile dysfunction because now there are several treatments available to deal with it.

 Addressing the problem can help you to enjoy your sexual life and achieve full satisfaction.