Erectile Dysfunction In Your 20s: What To Know

According to the experts, ED in your 20s is normal. Here are the facts.

If you’re a man in your 20s struggling with erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence, you may be wondering: “How could this be happening to me?” or “ED doesn’t happen to young men.”

It’s important to know that erectile dysfunction can happen to anyone — regardless of your age. In fact, research shows that up to 25% of men actively seeking treatment for ED are under 40 years old. Even though this condition is normal, it doesn’t mean you want to spend your 20s worried it will get in the way of your sex life. Here’s what you need to know about what might be causing your erectile dysfunction, and how to treat it.

The average age of erectile dysfunction

You may be wondering the average age when erectile dysfunction starts. It’s largely believed that the majority of men will have experienced an episode of ED by the time they reach 50. In one 2018 study, age was shown to be the variable most strongly associated with ED, demonstrating that about 40% of men are affected at age 40, and 70% of men are affected at age 70.

Analysis of one survey showed that the highest percentage of men who reported having ED were between the ages of 46 and 65. Among these subjects, health conditions that exacerbate ED, such as hypertension, depression, and diabetes, were high across all age groups. This suggests that no matter your age, it’s likely your erectile dysfunction came from somewhere. Once you identify the cause, you’re more likely to be able to address it and put ED behind you.

Erectile dysfunction in young men is relatively common

While the risk of erectile dysfunction does increase with age, if you’re wrestling with ED in your 20s, know that this is normal, and you’re not alone in your experience.

Research over the last decade has proven that impotence in young men is not uncommon. (Hint: This means it’s also normal to struggle with erectile dysfunction in your 30s too!) One look into a US-based group of 2,660 sexually active men between 18 and 31 showed that erectile dysfunction was common and linked to a…