Does erectile dysfunction afflict young men? Epidemiological studies confirm that erectile problems become more prevalent after the age of 40 and escalate with advancing age, largely due to increased likelihood of health issues (e.g., hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes) or medication use that negatively impacts erectile function.
Despite prevailing beliefs that erectile dysfunction primarily affects older men, a study conducted in an andrology clinic in Italy revealed that 26% of men seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction were under the age of 40.
Furthermore, erectile dysfunction frequently coexists with premature ejaculation, which is more commonly observed in young men.
This data suggests that while organic causes may be more prevalent with age, psychogenic factors, such as performance anxiety or relationship issues, often contribute to erectile dysfunction in younger men.
Regardless of age, recurrent erection problems warrant medical attention to determine underlying causes and devise an appropriate treatment strategy.
Reference: Capogrosso P, Colicchia M, Ventimiglia E et al. (2013) One patient out of four with newly diagnosed erectile dysfunction is a young man–worrisome picture from the everyday clinical practice. J Sex Med 10:1833-1841.
