A common myth about men is that they are always able to have sex and that erections are easy to get and maintain. About 20 million to 30 million men in the United States suffer from erectile problems. More young men have begun reporting erectile dysfunction, comprising approximately 25 percent of the patient population. Erectile dysfunction is not just for old men. However, there are solutions available.
Viagra, Levitra and Cialis are medications used to help young and old men acquire and maintain an erection. This medicine works by relaxing the corpus cavernosum muscle and increasing blood flow by blocking the PDE-5 enzyme. Outcomes of using medications can vary.
Primary and Secondary Causes
The causes of erectile dysfunction in young men may be primary or secondary. One erectile dysfunction cause begins when a male cannot achieve erection. This is termed primary erectile dysfunction. Another cause for erectile dysfunction occurs when a male is not able to maintain an erection. This is called secondary erectile dysfunction. Since most males will have problems achieving or maintaining an erection at some point in their lives, primary or secondary erectile dysfunction are normal problems for young men.
Common Causes
Anxiety and stress are common psychogenic causes of erectile dysfunction. These causes have many roots. For younger males, anxiety could be work- and school-related. Sexual performance anxiety; concern about the "right" partner, place and time; intimacy and trust; religious convictions; and cultural norms may also lead to erectile dysfunction.
There are various physical causes of erectile dysfunction. Physical causes include medications, alcohol, vascular conditions, diet nerve dysfunction, illicit drugs, diabetes, Peyronie's disease, smoking, hormone deficiency and surgery. Young men may experience any of these physical causes.
The psychological, biological and social factors for erectile dysfunction have interactions. For example, excessive alcohol alters sexual response, which affects anxiety. Socializing may increase smoking, which affects circulation.
Physiological Cause
The physiological cause for erectile dysfunction is the same for all men. Surrounding the urethra, the penis contains spongy, cylindrical structures. Because of nerve impulses, these structures fill with blood. The engorged shaft increases about seven-fold. This process causes an erection, but another process maintains it. First, the brain must communicate sexual arousal to the nervous system. This increases blood flow. If there is a disruption in any part of this process, erectile dysfunction occurs.
