Erectile dysfunction in young men – symptoms, causes, treatment

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common in middle-aged and old men but it can also develop in young men.

The factors that cause it can be either physiological or psychological. Regardless of what caused the decrease in male potency, the problem should not be ignored.

Erectile dysfunction in young men – short information

Causes of ED in young men

According to research, the main cause of impotence at a young age varies depending on how old the man is. If twenty-year-old men suffer from ED mainly due to psychogenic prerequisites, then by the age of 30 the influence of organic factors is also possible.

In general, the following causes of sexual weakness in young men are distinguished:

- Psychological trauma received in childhood or puberty;
- Fear of contracting sexually transmitted infections;
- Lack of sexual experience or history of negative experience;
- Difficulties in relationships with a partner;
- Regular conflict situations;
- Financial problems;
- Chronic fatigue and lack of sleep in young fathers;
- Violation of endocrine function, affecting the hormonal balance;
- Vascular disease;
- Infections of the reproductive system;
- Varicocele (varicose veins in the testicle bag);
- Benign and malignant tumors;
- Injury to the pelvic organs;
- Disorders of the central nervous system;
- Bad habits;
- Inactive lifestyle;
- Peculiarities of professional activity associated with a long stay in the cold, in conditions of high humidity, in the heat;
- Unbalanced diet.

Early ED: symptoms and signs

- Inability to develop a strong erection when aroused/sexually stimulated;
- Inability to maintain a strong erection throughout intercourse.

Organic and psychogenic ED manifest in different ways:

- Organic develops gradually, the nocturnal erection disappears, and the hardness of the penis can be lost during intercourse. Trouble developing erection maintains even when masturbating.
- Psychogenic impotence occurs suddenly, while spontaneous erection remains at night and in the morning. When masturbating, a man can easily develop and maintain an erection till ejaculation.

These symptoms are highly likely to indicate sexual dysfunction. Ignoring such manifestations leads to an aggravation of the disease and prolonged therapy. While in the early stages, impotence in young people is often treated with lifestyle correction and elimination of traumatic factors.

It happens that the decrease in sexual function is temporary, and male strength returns, as soon as the factor causing the disorder is eliminated. It is especially relevant for young men because they have a higher chance to fully recover from a physiological health condition or psychological trauma than older men who have different health problems and many years of unhealthy lifestyle behind their back.

However, it can also happen that at an early age, sexual performance decreases so much that the diagnosis of impotence is made. Thus, it is crucial not to neglect the problem and seek medical assistance at the first signs of sexual dysfunction.

Diagnosing erectile dysfunction

The diagnosis of the disease is aimed at clarifying the root cause that caused erectile dysfunction. The instrumental examination is prescribed by the attending physician or urologist after examination and collection of anamnesis. Activities include:

- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
- Blood tests;
- Sperm examination;
- Study of the microflora of the urinary tract.

After receiving all the results, a treatment regimen is prescribed that affects the premises of the disorder.

Treatment of ED at a young age

Therapy for ED for young men begins with gentle measures. Taking potent drugs is prescribed only for serious pathologies requiring drug treatment, in other cases, psychotherapy recommends changing the daily schedule. To enhance sexual function, it is recommended to resort to natural medicines or folk remedies.

In situations where erectile dysfunction is diagnosed at a young age, treatment begins with lifestyle correction. First of all, you need to stop smoking and minimize the amount of alcoholic beverages consumed. A glass of red wine is sometimes allowed.

Healthy lifestyle recommendations also include:

- Proper and healthy nutrition;
- Physical activity;
- Normalizing sleep schedule;
- Reducing stress (both in personal life and at work);
- Treating any symptoms only after going to a doctor and receiving qualified recommendations.

Such changes help to normalize sexual function in a few months.

Preparations of the first choice for ED treatment in young men without serious health conditions are herbal dietary supplements, multivitamin, and mineral complexes. You can find a variety of herbal medicines that are aimed at improving general health, replenishing vital energy, and so on. But make sure to consult your doctor first before you start using any of such supplements.
For men who do not have any physical factors that can cause ED, it is useful to seek help from a psychologist. In case of complicated personal relationships, it can be useful to seek couple counseling.

Medicines for ED in young men

Medicines are prescribed in situations where ED is not eliminated with lifestyle changes and psychotherapy. In this case, it is permissible to resort to erection stimulants in pills or injections. Worth noting that they do not cure the disorder but only render temporary erection-enhancing effect enabling men to have an active sex life. Such methods can be used both in organic and psychogenic ED because they break the vicious cycle of fearing failure. They can prevent the worsening of the sexual disorder problem while the root cause is being treated.

PDE5 inhibitors

This group of medicines provides fast but short-term results. They promote natural erection by relaxing the smooth muscles in the penis what enables the vessels in the genitalia to be freely filled in with the blood. You should know that Viagra (Sildenafil) and its analogs are not intended for the cure of impotence. These medicines help a man to achieve an erection in arousal but for a limited time, usually, for 4-6 hours (the time when a man can have several erections in stimulation, this time doesn’t mean an erection lasts for 4 or more hours). A single pill is sufficient for several intercourses a day. It is taken 40-60 minutes before anticipated intimacy.

Although these medicines are in general quite safe to use especially for young men, it is still advised to consult your doctor first to be sure that you have no contraindications for their use.

Injections

Intracavernous injections are designed to provide a strong and powerful erection in no time. Most often, Papaverine and Caverject solutions are used. They are also indicated in the case of treatment of psychological impotence - it happens that the psychological block is so potent that a man cannot be aroused naturally even after sessions with a psychologist or taking pills.

You can put injections yourself, as the urologist teaches. Such manipulations must have a good reason because there are contraindications and possible side effects. The mechanism of action of the medicinal solution is to relax the smooth muscles and dilate the vessels of the penis, thereby enhancing the blood flow and arousal.

Testosterone medicines

Testosterone-boosting drugs are required in situations where the body does not produce enough sex hormones. These medicines are taken orally, injected into a muscle, or under the skin.

Taking medications with testosterone is not used if there are formations in the reproductive system and liver, kidney problems. Also, they should be abandoned with chronically high blood pressure, frequent migraines, epilepsy, and heart failure.

Naturally, testosterone drugs are used only if analyzing your blood test your doctor prescribes the hormone to you. You should in no case use hormonal medicines without a prescription.

Post by: John Johansson, M.D., Amsterdam, Netherlands