Impotence may occur in young men for a myriad of reasons. It may be due to medical issues or lifestyle choices. This problem may be ongoing or may occur suddenly and sporadically. Impotence may be an emotional issue, or it may be a purely medical issue.
Stress
Stress may have a dramatic impact on the body. Even in young men, ongoing stress may wreak havoc with sexuality and be linked to impotence. Some issues that may cause a lot of stress for young men include: pressure to build a career, college loans, academic stress in college, peer pressure, family pressure, dating issues and financial difficulties.
Hormonal Issues
Some young men may have unusual hormone levels that may impact their sexuality. Soy lowers levels of testosterone and sperm count, according to research from the Harvard School of Public Health. Some males who regularly drink soy milk have found that their bodies begin to become feminized as testosterone levels decreased as consumption of soy products increased. Soy products contain estrogen, the female hormone.
Bike Riding
The traditional shape bicycle seat "with a narrow rear and pointy nose, play a role in sexual impotence," notes the New York Times. The impotence may occur due to pressure on an artery and a nerve in the perineum area, which will eventually decrease blood flow to the penis. Bike riding may also cause trauma to the groin area that creates "small calcified masses inside the scrotum." The longer a man rides a bike, the higher the risk of impotence become. Dr. Irwin Goldstein, a urologist in Boston, told the New York Times, "There are only two kinds of male cyclists---those who are impotent and those who will be impotent."
Smoking
Smoking may cause arteries to tighten up. Nicotine causes constriction in the arteries, which impedes blood flow to the penis. Eventually this may cause impotence. Smoking also raises the risk of overall damage to the health, which may profoundly damage sexuality too.
Diabetes
Diabetes type 1 may be present from birth, and diabetes type 2 is occurring at ever-younger ages. Diabetes may cause damage to arteries and nerves. This will impact the ability of blood to flow properly to the penis.
Low Sex Drive
A low sexual drive may lead to impotence. There are many reasons for a low sex drive. It may stem from childhood sexual abuse, lack of energy, overwork, or relationship woes.
Alcohol & Drugs
High doses of alcohol and some prescription and recreational drugs may impair sexual performance. Mixing drugs and alcohol is dangerous; it may also increase the risk for impotence.
