Erectile Dysfunction in Younger Men: Understanding the Root Cause

Almost one in five men aged 18 to 24 experiences some level of erectile dysfunction. This is a higher percentage than reported for men in their late 30s and early 40s in the same study, a 2021 National Survey of Sexual Wellbeing published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. That figure tends to surprise most people, including many physicians. Erectile dysfunction has always been the issue filed under the subject of “getting old.” Turns out, all the facts don’t match that story.

You’re not alone.

If you are a younger man experiencing this problem, you should know that you are not alone. Also, what you find online could be causing you to either panic or lose confidence. Below is an objective assessment of the problem.

For years, the common wisdom has been that ED in a 25 yr. Old should be treated by psychotherapy, while an ED in a 55-year-old should be treated physically. This belief is in the process of being discarded, and it is widely accepted now that the younger man with ED most likely has a combination of a psychological and physical problem, which feed into each other.

For example, a bad week culminates in a negative sexual encounter, causing the young man to be concerned and anxious about the outcome, and this anxiety then contributes to the subsequent inability to achieve an erection.

What causes erectile dysfunction in younger men is anxiety: 

The one common denominator of ED that researchers seem to find consistently in young men is anxiety. In young men with ED, it is not generalized anxiety disorder, but performance anxiety. They are worried and replaying their encounters, for example, with a new partner, new relationship, or an embarrassing event. In response, the body’s normal reaction to threat takes over, and blood flow shifts elsewhere. At this time, erection is one of the earliest functions to be lost.

Simple changes make more of a difference than you might think.

Many of us assume these issues are only relevant at certain ages, but even subtle changes in everyday habits, especially between the ages of 20 and 40, can have a major impact. Here are the habits that, when applied, can make a difference. 

•Sleep. The quality and consistency of sleep go hand-in-hand with testosterone levels and the normal hormone cycle that’s the backbone of sexual function. We see this among shift workers and men who regularly get less than 6 hours of sleep per night.

•Smoking and vaping. The rise of vaping among young men in their 20s in Canada is a growing concern, and nicotine constricts your blood vessels (yes, including the ones relevant to your sexual health). It’s not a distant future problem; we’re starting to see negative impacts within years of use among younger men. 

•Alcohol and other recreational drugs. Occasional drinking will generally not cause permanent damage. Heavy drinking, however, particularly coupled with recreational drug use, negatively impacts blood vessels. 

•Sedentary living. Most of the day spent on our butts, infrequent workouts, etc., all these factors reduce testosterone production and circulation (same problem that we see causing ED at any age).

•A convenience-based diet. Food that comes in a bag or a box, not much protein, too much sugar – again, not about looking good. It is, however, about a strong, healthy network of blood vessels, upon which virtually all erection relies.

Porn can contribute to unrealistic expectations:  

It’s uncomfortable, but research in the field has exploded over the past decade. Heavy usage of high-stimulation pornography, which is readily available, can alter brain pathways that determine what constitutes sexual arousal. So, real-life intimacy can feel dull and uninspired by comparison. This is not true of everyone who watches pornography. But when your real partner’s touches aren’t stimulating the response that they once did, it’s important to acknowledge that this dynamic could play a role.

Medical conditions:

Depression by itself is commonly linked to erectile dysfunction in younger men, whether you take medication for it or not. When you include the fact that many commonly prescribed antidepressants, especially some particularly prominent ones which fit into the serotonin class of drugs, cause the most regular complaints among people who receive them to side effects in the sex organs, you end up with young men who may be dealing with several health conditions contributing to the problems. 

Medical Issues that present sooner than expected 

Diabetes, high cholesterol, and high BP used to be classified as medical conditions found primarily in elderly males. Today, however, such symptoms have been seen in men in the United States in their 20s and 30s, and these conditions are becoming increasingly more common and appear much sooner in the progression than was first anticipated-mostly as a direct result of increasing rates of obesity. Circulation disorders can manifest in the smallest areas of your body, and those include the blood vessels needed for erectile function. The blood flow to these vessels might be compromised a full decade or more prior to you noticing any other symptom or indication of serious circulatory compromise. The symptom of erectile dysfunction in younger men is often an alarm that should be taken very seriously.

Relationship pressures

Tensions in a partnership, communication gaps, and incompatible expectations can appear physically. Some men put excessive pressure on themselves to perform in a particular way, especially early on in a relationship. That is why the solution to the problem may not always be medical. 

What can help

For younger men, the causes of erectile dysfunction are many. However, it is advised not to wait too long to find a solution. Reach out to Urogen ED Barrie for treatment. We offer a no-pills, no-surgery, no-injection therapy that treats the root cause of your problem rather than just the symptoms. 

FAQs

I am in my late 30s. Am I too young for erectile dysfunction? 

ED is more common than you might think, but being common doesn’t automatically make it OK. In fact, some research has found that it can occur in men as young as their late 30s. It’s usually the stress and lifestyle factors, as well as mental illness, that play a role, not age.

Can an emotional state such as stress and anxiety cause erectile dysfunction?

Yes, anxiety and particularly performance anxiety can result in a physiological stress response which puts a stop to the blood supply required for achieving an erection. This remains one of the most frequently identified reasons for erectile dysfunction in younger men.

Can watching porn often lead to ED? 

It might have a role in some men if you’re essentially recalibrating the intensity you need to get turned on, so now your actual sex partners are just not “exciting” in comparison. Obviously it’s not always the case, but you have to be honest with yourself about whether or not that’s a trend for you.

Should I wait for the condition to settle down?

No. It is best that you visit a doctor sooner so you can be evaluated and ruled out as a risk. 

Can erectile dysfunction in a younger man point to something more serious?

Sometimes, yes. It could be an indicator of cardiovascular issues or hormonal issues even before symptoms appear.

About the Author

Mike Wood

Mike began his lifelong passion to help increase health and performance with a Kinesiology degree from Laurentian University in 1988. For most of his career he was in electronic manufacturing, but he always remained true to his physiology educational roots. While working in the corporate world, he trained and worked as an Emergency Medical Responder. He also spent several years teaching First Aid and CPR in both full and part-time roles.

Mike's introduction to UrogenED's Pulse Acoustic Wave technology happened at the end of 2023 when he was treated to alleviate his Peyronie's Disease. In early 2024 his entrepreneurial spirit was then married with his positive treatment outcome from UrogenED and he opened the Whitby Clinic. Towards the end of 2024 Mike was given the opportunity to open the Barrie UrogenED Clinic to complement the success story that began in Whitby. It is Mike's greatest pleasure to hear the success stories of clients from both clinics.

Mike is dedicating his career to Men's Health concerns not only limited to ED. A self-diagnosed fitness and sports junkie, Mike can be found running the roads around his house and exercising in the gym. During his downtime you will find him on the golf links in the summer or snowboarding with his family in the winter.