What Causes Erectile Dysfunction In Young Males?

Although erectile dysfunction is more common in old males the rate at which young men are being diagnosed is alarming. Erectile dysfunction or ED is the inability to maintain/ sustain an erection for a satisfying sexual experience.

Some data suggests around 8% of men between 20 and 29 years old and 11% of men between 30 and 39 experience erectile dysfunction.

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is a common sexual dysfunction experienced by men. It refers to having difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection firm/hard enough for sexual intercourse all or most of the time.

The symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED) can include:

• Difficulty getting an erection
• Difficulty maintaining an erection
• Reduced sexual desire
• Troubles with sexual performance
• Anxiety or depression related to ED

Potential Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction

There are many possible causes for erectile dysfunction (ED), which can be physical, psychological, or a combination of both. Some common causes include:

• Cardiovascular diseases: Atherosclerosis, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other conditions that restrict blood flow to the penis can make it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection.
• Neurological conditions: Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal cord injuries can affect the nerves that control erections.
• Hormonal imbalances: Low testosterone levels, the primary male sex hormone, can contribute to ED.
• Medications: Effects of medicines, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, and blood pressure medications, can cause ED as a side effect.
• Psychological factors: Anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and relationship concerns can all contribute to ED.
• Lifestyle factors: Smoking, recreational drugs, excessive alcohol intake, lack of sleep, obesity or excess weight gain and lack of physical activity can all be potential risk factors that can contribute to ED.

Trauma to the pelvic area or penis, Peyronie’s disease, or certain surgeries

Young Men And Erectile Dysfunction

Young men naturally tend to have more testosterone levels and after reaching the age of around 30 to 40 there is a 1% decline in these testosterone levels every year. But in some cases, these declines tend to happen early, causing testosterone levels to dip down from a younger age. And low testosterone levels have many negative impacts on men’s sexual health one of them being the occurrence of Ed.

For an erection to occur there should be enough blood flow to the penis during arousal.

While occasional difficulty with erections is normal among men, someone might have erectile dysfunction if:

• They can achieve an erection sometimes but not every time they want to have sex
• They can achieve an erection but it doesn’t last long enough to have satisfactory sex
• They aren’t able to achieve an erection at all

Causes Of ED In Younger Men

ED can be caused by various vascular, hormonal, neural, and psychological factors or separate medical conditions. And ED in younger men can also be an underlying sign of some other serious disease. Common causes of ED can also include medical issues such as:

• Sleep apnea: Disturbed sleep cycle due to obstructive sleep apnea decreases testosterone levels in men, triggering ED.
• Heart disease or blood vessel disease: Clogging of blood vessels and obstructed supply of blood not only lead to heart diseases but are one of the major causes of ED. When there is a hardening of arteries (arteriosclerosis), the proper blood supply to the penile muscles is hindered leading to no or soft erections.
• Chronic kidney disease: Research shows people with Chronic Kidney Diseases(CKDs) are at higher risk of having erectile dysfunction.
• Peyronie’s disease (which causes the penis to curve) or other penile abnormalities: Penile abnormalities that make erections painful also lead to ED if not treated early.
• Injury to the penis, prostate, spinal cord or pelvis can also disturb the cascade of processes that take place during an erection causing ED to manifest.

But in the case of most younger men, Ed is most likely to be caused by lifestyle and emotional factors such as:

• Anxiety and depression
• Feelings of shame or embarrassment about sexual activity
• Significant or chronic stress
• Smoking
• Using recreational drugs
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Being overweight or obese
• Being too sedentary

All these lifestyles and emotional factors either lead to detrimental physical health or poor mental health conditions both of which affect the sexual health of young males.

How To Cure Erectile Dysfunction At A Young Age?

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Many cases of ED in young adults are due to poor blood circulation or a high intake of tobacco or alcohol. These conditions are often a direct result of making poor lifestyle choices. Even if changing your food habits or sleep time feels minor, they have a major impact on your sexual life. You can improve your ED by changing your everyday habits and choosing healthier options such as:

• No Smoking or Alcohol: Several studies have found that smoking and persistent alcohol consumption increase the risk of ED, even in young people. Quitting the usage of alcohol and tobacco is effective in improving ED. In a 2022 study, more than 80% of participants showed significant improvement in erectile dysfunction after refraining from using alcohol for three months.
• Exercise and Healthy Diet: If you lead a sedentary lifestyle or consume too much fast food, then changing these aspects can help improve ED. Including exercise in your routine improves blood flow, which is essential in maintaining an erection. Similarly, consuming a well-balanced, nutritious diet helps you keep your overall health in check, in turn improving ED.
• Getting Adequate Sleep: People who don’t get adequate sleep or have sleep disorders are more prone to erectile dysfunction. Maintaining a sleep schedule and getting 7-8 hours of sleep every night will go a long way in improving erectile dysfunction.
• Avoiding Substance Use: The use of recreational drugs can impair sexual function and reduce blood flow to the penis, making it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection. Substance abuse can also damage the nerves and blood vessels responsible for sexual function, leading to long-term ED.

Addressing Psychological Health Concerns

If your erectile dysfunction stems from conditions such as depression, anxiety, or even performance anxiety, then treating these conditions will also have a positive impact on your ED. In addition, it will help you spend quality time with your partner and communicate effectively with each other. These improve your bonding and your mental health and can decrease anxiety.

Natural Remedies

Many medicine systems around the world suggest herbal or natural remedies to cure sexual dysfunction. They either work by boosting stamina, improving blood flow or stimulating the release of certain hormones. Though more research is needed, there is some scientific evidence that supports the use of herbal remedies.

Herbs such as ginseng, epimedium, and saffron are popular remedies not only for erectile dysfunction but also for sexual health in general. However, even herbs can have side effects. If you have other medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, it is better to consult a medical professional before using any herbal remedies.

How Is Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosed?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is typically diagnosed through a combination of a physical examination and an assessment of the patient’s medical history. Since ED has a variety of underlying causes, doctors may use different types of tests to determine the cause and thus confirm the condition.

Diagnosis: How Is It Done?

The diagnosis procedure starts with an interview by the doctor about personal or sexual history. To some of you, these questions might seem personal and very intrusive, but answering them honestly, without the fear of judgment, is very necessary for the doctor to diagnose the condition and thereby treat the dysfunction correctly. Some frequently asked questions can be:

• What medications or drugs have you been using?
• What are the frequency, quality, and duration of your erections?
• How satisfying is your sexual life?
• Do you experience erections more during the day or at night?
• Are there any special types of sexual techniques that you use?
• Any prior signs of psychological stress, anxiety, or depression?

After the round of questions, the doctor will prescribe tests depending on his findings. These tests may include the following:

• Physical Examination: This includes careful examination of the penis and the testicles to check how sensitive they are. Some special tests like bulbocavernosus reflex may be performed where the doctor squeezes the head of the penis, which should immediately cause the anus to contract. Delays in anal contraction are used to detect abnormal nerve functioning.
• Blood Tests: Your blood sample is analyzed in order to check for signs of heart disease, diabetes, low testosterone levels, and other health conditions. For example, CBC (Complete blood count) may be used to detect anaemia, which causes fatigue and hence may lead to ED. A lipid profile test is another example where the blood sample is used to detect the amount of cholesterol in it. High levels of cholesterol may indicate atherosclerosis which might reduce blood flow to the penis.
• Urine Analysis: Analysis of urine can provide a wealth of information, including information on protein, sugar, and testosterone levels. Abnormal measurements of these substances can indicate diabetes, kidney disease, or testosterone deficiency, all of which can cause ED.
• Ultrasound: This is perhaps the best test for evaluating ED. It involves using a wandlike device (transducer), producing ultrasounds of high frequency held over the blood vessels that supply blood to the penis. It creates a video image to let your doctor see if you have blood flow problems. For people with ED, an ultrasound may be used to evaluate blood flow and check for signs of a venous leak, atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries), or tissue scarring. This test is performed both while the penis is erect (usually induced by an injection of a drug that stimulates erection) and also while it is soft.
• Psychological Examination: The doctor might ask questions related to previous instances of Depression, anxiety other psychological disorders as they too contribute to male erectile dysfunction.

Apart from these tests, certain specialized tests such as Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT), Penile biothesiometry, Vasoactive injection, Dynamic infusion cavernosometry, cavernosography, Arteriography, etc., might be performed according to the patient’s condition.

After ED and its cause are successfully diagnosed, it can be treated with particular methods ranging from oral medication to psychological counselling.

Treatment Of Erectile Dysfunction

In general, ED may be easier to treat in young men because it’s less often associated with the complicated diseases older men face.

Although erectile dysfunction can be discouraging, a number of effective treatments can help address it. In some cases, treating the underlying cause can help improve erectile function. For example, lifestyle changes such as losing weight, reducing alcohol intake, or quitting smoking may improve erectile function. Medical treatment to manage any conditions linked to ED, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure, may in turn help with ED.

Another option is medication for erectile dysfunction. Oral medications known as PDE5 inhibitors work by stimulating blood flow to the penis, and they’re just as effective in younger men as in older ones. Common ED drugs include:

• Sildenafil (Viagra)
• Tadalafil (Cialis)
• Avanafil (Stendra)
• Vardenafil (Staxyn and Levitra)

Testosterone Replacement Therapy(TRT), Intracavernosal injections, and surgery are also some options to treat ED. But these medications and therapies should always be taken/ undergone after proper doctor’s advice and supervision.

There are several ED treatment methods and if you are suffering from Ed getting a doctor’s checkup is a must. At Allo health, we bring you personalized, discreet, and judgment-free treatment at your fingertips – book an online consultation with one of Allo’s leading experts.