What Are the Causes of Erectile Dysfunction in Young Males?

Around 33% of all men have erectile dysfunction (ED) at some point in their lives. You may have heard of this disorder before, but aren’t really sure what it is. Since it’s such a sensitive subject, many people don’t really talk about it.

However, it’s important to, as knowledge is power, and power is the key to keeping your sex life healthy and good.

Do you think you might have ED? Then you’ll want to read on.

Here, we’ll discuss exactly what ED is, what the causes of erectile dysfunction in young males are, and what you can do to combat them.

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

You might already have some inkling that erectile dysfunction is a disorder where you aren’t able to have sex in a normal way. Mainly, this disorder has to do with your ability to get and maintain an erection.

There are various levels of ED. Some men just have trouble getting an erection, but can keep it. Others can get an erection but can’t maintain it for a full session of sex. And some can’t get an erection or keep it.

In general, the older you get, the more chances of getting ED. This is because as you age, you’re more susceptible to other health problems, which often have an effect on your quality of erections (more on that later).

However, it’s entirely possible for younger men to get ED as well. You can always read more about this dysfunction.

For now, read on to find out more about the causes.

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction in Young Males (Physical)

As you may have guessed, an erection is achieved through a series of physical processes in your body. Mainly, they involve changes in your blood pressure and the filling up of blood in your penis to achieve the erect state.

If there’s anything healthwise that’s affecting your blood pressure and other normal processes in your body, then they can interrupt the erection process. Below are a few physical things that may cause erectile dysfunction in younger men.


When you’re obese, you’re not in the best of shape. Because you’re so overweight, your body may struggle already to carry on normally.

In addition, you might also have hypertension and diabetes. Both of these can definitely affect your blood pressure and circulation.

Hormone Issues

The main hormone men have is testosterone, which is responsible for the changes their bodies go through during puberty. It’s also responsible for your sex drive.

For this reason, if you have low testosterone levels, you might find yourself not desiring sex much. When you go to try and have sex, it might be difficult to achieve and maintain an erection.

Other hormone imbalances that may lead to erectile dysfunction include prolactin and other thyroid hormones.

If you use steroids for bodybuilding, then this can have an effect on your hormone levels as well. This is why many younger men who seem in shape have ED.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Drugs and alcohol take a heavy toll on your body. Not only do they rewire how your brain perceives pleasure, but they can also wreak havoc on things like your blood vessels.

Obviously, need your blood vessels to be healthy to get and maintain erections. So if you’re abusing drugs and alcohol, these substances can affect your sex life.

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction in Young Males (Mental)

Arousal is a complicated process; not only does it involve physical mechanisms, but also mental ones. For example, have you ever had a serious fight with your partner? Then chances are, you aren’t in the mood to have sex right after, which can make it difficult to get and maintain an erection.

So even if you’re in perfect health, you can still get ED. Here are some of the mental aspects that can cause erectile dysfunction.


Obviously, if you’re stressed out, sex may be the last thing on your mind. Whether it’s problems with your girlfriend, workplace tension, or the pressure you put on yourself, all these things can affect your erections.

Mental Health Issues

Many Americans have depression and anxiety; over 18% of the population has the latter. Understandably, this can really affect how you feel, which can lead to your sex life ramping down.

How to Combat ED Problems (Physical)

The best way to combat physical ED problems is to consult with a doctor. They can do a thorough exam and take your medical history to narrow down the causes of ED for you.

Together, you can work out a treatment plan to get your sex life back on track again. Often, this involves dropping unhealthy habits, exercising more, eating healthier foods, and losing weight. They may also prescribe medications if you need them.

How to Combat ED Problems (Mental)

It’s always a good idea to seek help from a therapist and/or counselor, even if you feel like everything’s going great in your life. They can offer a neutral 3rd party view on things, which can give you clarity on issues you’re struggling with.

In addition, they’re professionals who are trained to help patients find the root cause of their problems. They can also teach patients healthy ways to cope.

If they feel it’s necessary, they can refer you to a psychiatrist, who can then prescribe you the appropriate medications for any mental health issues that need resolving.

Get to the Root of Your ED Causes and Fix Your Sex Life

Now you know some of the causes of erectile dysfunction in young males.

It can feel embarrassing to have ED at an early age, but the fact is, everyone hits roadblocks in their sex lives at some point. What’s important is that you figure out the root cause and address it so you can live a healthier life. As a result, you’ll be able to enjoy a better sex life as well.

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