We often think of  erectile dysfunction (E.D.) as an “old guy’s” problem – and  for logical reasons. After all, erection problems become more common as men age, especially as they develop age-related conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Although erection problems can be common in older men, there are a significant number of younger men who can suffer from impotence as well. As one might expect, the causes for ED in younger men might be different from those affecting their older counterparts.

To understand such causes, it’s helpful to review the physiology of erection. When a man is sexually stimulated, smooth muscle tissue relaxes and arteries expand, allowing the penis to fill with blood. Once this occurs, smooth muscle tissue works to trap the blood in the penis until the stimulation ends or the man ejaculates. This “trapping” is called veno-occulsion.Some men develop ED because they have problems with the arterial inflow. For example, the may have atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which impairs the flow of blood in to the penis.

Over the last decade or so, endothelial dysfunction, considered a precursor to atherosclerosis, has been linked to ED. Endothelial dysfunction involves the endothelium – the lining of blood vessels. Problems with the endothelium can also restrict blood flow to the penis.

But do younger men with ED tend to have arterial inflow problems and endothelial dysfunction? Scientists from UCLA decided to take a closer look at this question and published their results last fall in the International Journal of Impotence Research. Their study involved 23 patients between the ages of 18 and 49. All of the men had had ED for at least six months. Their average age was 33 years. Each man had a duplex ultrasound scan of his penis.

The researchers found abnormal arterial responses in just 4 – 13% of the men, depending on the criteria used. Based on these data, they suggested that most cases of ED in younger men are not the result of problems with penile arteries.

They added that when their patients described their erectile difficulties, most said they had trouble keeping an erection after it started. “This inability to maintain an erection once the erection has occurred is clinically very suggestive of [cavernosal veno-occlusive dysfunction (CVOD)] rather than an arterial inflow issue.” Another term for CVOD is “venous leakage.”

“The conclusion from these observations is that the arterial system does not seem to be severely impacted in young men who present with ED, and as such does not appear to be the primary cause of ED in this age group,” they wrote, adding that their data suggest “that if there is going to be a vascular component in this age group, it is most likely going to reside on the veno-occlusive side.”

Why might this happen? It could be related to aging, the researchers said. It might also be explained by genetics.

They suggested that clinicians should not be so quick to blame ED on endothelial dysfunction. Past research has usually involved men over age 50 and men with hypertension and diabetes, which makes the connection to endothelial dysfunction more prominent. But for men younger than 50, the role of corporal smooth muscle tissue should be considered as well, the authors noted.

If you have erectile problems or suffer from occasional  impotence – see your doctor. There is almost always something that can be done for men suffering from ED – and young men have many years ahead of them to enjoy a rewarding sex life.

2 thoughts on “E.D. – It happens to young guys, too.

  1. I have to say, premature ejuaclation is indeed a very embarrassing problem. If not for trying Prexil, I probably would still be suffering from this problem and not know what to be doing about it. Now I can last up to 30 minutes in bed very easily without any problems at all!

    1. A diet HIGH in dairy products is thought to be a possible risk factor for prostate cancer. Note the words ‘high’, ‘possible’. And a risk factor is not a cause. Insurance companies regard being male’ as a risk factor for having a car crash, but being male doesn’t cause car crashes.The greatest risk factor for prostate cancer is getting older. It’s extremely rare in men under 50; over 80% of men diagnosed with it are over 65 and half of all cases occur in men over 75. It’s so rare in young men that there are no statistics available for the disease incidence in men under 35.

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