1. Talk to Your Doctor
Impotence in younger people is less often caused by medical conditions, and is therefore likely more treatable. The first thing you need to do if you are experiencing erectile dysfunction is talk to your doctor. Don't be embarrassed about it. After all, almost every guy goes through it at one time or another.
2. Consider Psychological Factors
The most common causes of erectile dysfunction in younger men are psychological. When he's trying to impress a date, nerves can frazzle even the biggest stallion. If you're still getting a morning erection, chances are that the cause of your impotence is emotional. Because negative thoughts can perpetuate the problem, getting counseling is key. A trained professional can help determine if your bedroom difficulties are due to a recent traumatic event; anxiety or depression; relationship troubles; self-esteem issues; or a host of other causes. Before your doctor tells you it's all in your head, know that low levels of testosterone can also cause ED, insomnia, depression and exhaustion, so ask for a blood test.
3. Stop Partying So Hard
Contrary to what you may think, alcohol and drugs do not help the libido. Marijuana and alcohol both numb your sensation, so while you might feel uninhibited, your penis is less likely to rise to the occasion. One drink may help take the edge off, but anything more than that depresses the central nervous system and can impair sexual function. Chronic drinking and drug use also lead to a lower sex drive. So if you're experiencing frequent bouts of impotence, your best bet is to lay off the alcohol and party drugs.
4. Quit the Cigarette Habit
We all know that smoking is bad for the heart and lungs, but did you know that it's also hazardous to your sex life? Many doctors and medical associations believe that cigarette packs should come with warnings of male impotence. There's that much of a connection between smoking and erectile dysfunction. Worse yet, a cigarette habit can lead to impotence within just 10 years. The good news: Quitting early can reverse the damage.
5. Exercise Your Options
For their younger patients, doctors most often recommend lifestyle changes over impotence drugs. Because emotional factors are so often at play, exercise can be one of the most potent solutions. And if you're overweight, you should be doubly concerned; obesity can lead to a hormonal imbalance.
You don't have to become a world-class athlete to reap the benefits of working out. Walking two miles a day or running a few times a week can jump-start your libido. The studies on the benefits of exercise are endless. It improves cardiovascular function, which is essential to maintaining an erection (it's blood flow to the penis that makes you hard). Physically active people say they feel better about themselves, and even find themselves more sexually attractive. It boosts endurance -- always a boon in the bedroom. A trip to the gym can ease stress, reduce fatigue and improve your mood, even if you're suffering from depression--all factors in sexual staying power.
