Erectile Dysfunction Doesn’t Just Affect Older Men
And Serious Underlying Causes Could Explain Why
Based on the age of actors featured in commercials for common erectile dysfunction medication like Viagra and Cialis, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was only men 40 and above who experience ED. There is evidence, however, that younger men also deal with an inability to get and maintain an erection, and that the prevalence of ED among younger men is increasing.
Erectile dysfunction does affect older gentlemen at higher rates than young ones. Some studies suggest that 40 percent of men are affected by ED at the age of 40. That number shoots to 70 percent at 70 years of age. But men below the age of 40 are far from unaffected by sexual performance issues like erectile dysfunction. Large studies involving men in this cohort across a multitude of countries have suggested that as many as 30 percent experience erectile dysfunction.
Sexual health can be a sensitive topic at the best times. And for men, an inability to perform sexually brings with it a host of negative feelings ranging from embarrassment to shamefulness — irrespective of age. For younger men, these feelings are compounded by a perception that they “shouldn’t” have any trouble getting and maintaining erections. Knowing that nearly a third of their contemporaries could be experiencing similar performance issues might offer some solace, but perhaps not much.
Nonetheless, changing perceptions related to erectile dysfunction is an important step in removing the stigma surrounding it and other commonly encountered sexual performance concerns, such as premature ejaculation. As a society, we’ve (thankfully), become more compassionate and accommodating of mental health issues like anxiety and depression — two issues that have been shown to be factors in erectile dysfunction, no matter the age group.
Such empathy should be equally extended to men’s sexual health. This will help to broaden our understanding of sexual performance issues; and by normalizing them, it might encourage young men to get help. This is important for a variety of reasons, chief among them is the possibility of serious underlying health issues contributing to instances of erectile dysfunction.
A 2013 article published in the journal Clinical Research in Cardiology suggests that ED in young men may be an indicator of insulin resistance, as well as a clinical marker of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Broader yet, it has been suggested that erectile dysfunction in younger patients can be considered a proxy for overall health, including vascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. A shift in societal attitudes about erectile dysfunction could reduce the embarrassment associated therewith, and make it more likely for young men to seek medical attention, allowing for earlier medical interventions of any potential underlying conditions.
Normalizing the discussion around men’s sexual health could be equally beneficial to young men for whom erectile dysfunction does not necessarily represent a serious medical, but rather an opportunity to make simple changes to their lifestyle.
One study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine surveyed 350 men between the ages of 18 and 40, asking them to complete questionnaires related to their diets. The questionnaire emphasized foods that were high in flavonoids, such as citrus fruits, apples, legumes and coffee. It found that consuming at least 50mg of flavonoids per day lowered the risk of ED by 32 percent. Cardio exercise has also been shown to lower the risk of erectile dysfunction, with one Harvard study suggesting that 30 minutes of walking on a daily basis lowered the risk of ED by 41 percent.
At the direction of a qualified medical professional, young men could also avail themselves of erectile dysfunction medication as part of a broader sexual health strategy. Drugs like sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil have proven to be effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. While perhaps not necessarily the first line of attack, these drugs can be safely used under the supervision and guidance of a medical health professional. Canadian men can even consult a physician or pharmacist online.
Addressing and overcoming stigmas behind any complex health issue does not happen overnight. It took years for an understanding of anxiety and depression to become commonplace, and there is still much work to be done. Similarly, attitudes regarding men’s sexual health need to change to help normalize discussions and treatment of performance issues like erectile dysfunction. For all men, this can help reduce feelings of shame and embarrassment and improve overall health. For younger men, it could be the difference between receiving early treatment for a potentially serious underlying health concern and waiting until it’s too late.
