Can Men in Their 20's and 30's Have Erectile Dysfunction?

You're in your 20's or 30's and at a time when you are supposed to be in your sexual prime. Yet, you are experiencing problems achieving or maintaining an erection suitable for sexual intercourse, which is a condition usually only men in 40's and 50's begin to experience? You are not alone as many young men are reporting symptoms of erectile dysfunction.

The most common issues of ED being experienced are:

* Inability to achieve an erection

* Difficulty maintaining an erection

* Erections are not as long or as hard as they used to be

* You can get an erection by yourself, but not with your partner

Do any of these symptoms sound like the issues you are having? I am sure you are thinking, wait a minute I am in my twenties or thirties and should have an erection hard enough to cut glass, and should be able to go for hours, right?

What are the Causes of Erectile Dysfunction in young men?

Stress: Stress is one of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction. If you are experiencing stress, look to see what may be causing it. Are you in a stressful job? Is there stress in your life or relationship? If your job is causing stress, this will eventually impact other areas of your life, including your sex life. See if it is possible to make changes at work to reduce stress. If this is not possible, then you may want to look at techniques to reduce or eliminate stress in your life naturally, such as getting more sleep, add an exercise routine, eat a healthy diet, try meditation either before you begin your day or before you go to sleep.

Anxiety: Anxiety is another common cause of erectile dysfunction, along with stress. If you are experiencing anxiety, look to see what may be causing it. Are you in a stressful job, causing you anxiety? Is there something in your life or relationship that is causing you to be anxious or nervous, such as pending layoffs? If you are experiencing anxiety, this will eventually impact other areas of your life, including your sex life. Are you suffering from performance anxiety, due to being new to sex, in a new relationship, or are you anxious about your ability to perform or satisfy your partner sexually?

You should develop techniques to reduce or eliminate anxiety in your life naturally, such as getting more sleep, get plenty of exercise, eat a healthy diet, and try meditation either before you begin your day or before you go to sleep. Eliminating anxiety, fear and worry from your life will improve your ability to achieve or maintain an erection. If you are anxious, or worry if you can get an erection, this will get in your head and the anxiety will lead to impotence due to performance anxiety.

Drug Use: Use of narcotic drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine, for example have several health effects and can lead to erectile dysfunction. Drug use can impact the central nervous system, which can effect male libido and sexual desire. If a man lacks sexual desire or a depressed libido, this will lead to erectile dysfunction. [1]

Alcohol Use: Excessive use of alcohol can have several health effects, which can lead to erectile dysfunction. Excessive use of alcohol can effect the central nervous system, damage organs and blood vessels, which diminished the flow of blood to organs, including the penis. These issues can result in sexual dysfunction. [1]

Smoking. Many young men begin smoking cigarettes in high school or college. The build up of tar, nicotine and other carcinogens inhaled in the smoke can lead to heart disease, or hardening of the arteries. This dangerous condition puts pressure on the heart to send blood efficiently to the major organs of the body, including the penis. An erection requires a large volume of blood and if the heart can pump blood efficiently, the male sex organ will not be able to achieve or maintain an erection.

Interest in Your Partner: Are you interested in your partner sexually? People tend to avoid discussing the issue of lack of sexual interest in their partner for fear the relationship may end. Be honest with yourself and your partner. Does she do something that turns you off, which impacts desire? A lack of desire will diminish libido and prevent the brain from sending signals to send blood to the penis to make an erection. With improved communication, small changes may bring the spark back in the relationship.

What is the course of action a young male should take if he is experiencing sexual dysfunction in his twenties or thirties? If you are in your twenties, you should stay away from Viagra or Cialis until you are in your 40's or 50's, unless prescribed by a doctor. Using prescription erectile dysfunction medications without a prescription can have long lasting negative effects on your ability to get and maintain an erection normally.

The first thing to do is not stress out. Stressing about about the ability to get or maintain a erection will only make your ED worse. If you begin to worry about your ability to get an erection or maintain an erection, your mind will begin to spin and will cause fear and worry in your mind.

The next thing to do is make an appointment with your doctor for a thorough physical exam. You want to rule out any medical condition that can cause impotence, such as low testosterone, thyroid condition, heart condition, depression or diabetes. If you are given a clean bill of health, then the issue is mental, and your ED is most likely the result of stress, anxiety, fear, worry or interest.

Medications for depression, heart disease, and prescription pain medications can cause erectile dysfunction as a side effect. Check the possible side effects of the medications to see if this is the culprit, and discuss with your doctor natural alternative remedies with out the side effects.

1 = source: Web MD

Can Men in Their 20's and 30's Have Erectile Dysfunction? by Ken Weiss