Can You Be Too Young To Start Improving Erectile Health?

You might be thinking to yourself, “I’m only 20, or 30, or 40. Why do I need to worry about erectile function?”

The truth is that there’s an increasing incidence of erectile dysfunction in younger men. And even if you don’t have a full-blown case of ED now, it’s likely hiding in the wings, and it may be ready to step out into the spotlight. 

“The more proactive you can be, the greater your chances you won’t ever have to endure the frustration of not being able to get hard or losing your erection before you climax,” says Paul Thompson, M.D., a urologist and surgeon with more than three decades in clinical practice. “My patients who take charge of their sexual health in advance are less likely to experience the decline that occurs in my patients who don’t take action until they start experiencing symptoms.”

Soft Erections In 20- and 30-Year-Old Men

Just because you’re in your 20s doesn’t mean you can’t have erectile dysfunction. In one worldwide study of more than 27,839 men aged 20 to 29 years, ED occurred in 8% of the participants (roughly 2,227).(1) That same study found that 11% of men in their 30s have ED.(1) 

Another study found that one in four men seeking medical help for ED for the first time were under 40 years old.(2)

Many men don’t tell their doctors about their ED symptoms, and therefore, the condition is often underreported, so the problem is likely even more widespread than studies show. Many men don’t recognize that if their erections aren’t as firm as they’d like, it could be the first signs of ED.  They often wait to talk to their doctor until it's full-blown ED—a big mistake since taking action earlier can speed up treatment.

Erectile Dysfunction in 40-Year-Old Men

Erectile dysfunction starts to become more common as men reach their 40s. The Massachusetts Male Aging Study found that at age 40, about 17% of men suffer from at least mild ED.(3) 

Other research indicates that by the time a man is in his 40s, he has about a 40% chance of having some form of ED.(4)

“By the time you’re 40, working on factors that improve your blood flow and overall health can make a real difference in your erectile function,” says Dr. Thompson.

Surprising Cause of Erectile Dysfunction in Young Men

Doctors used to assume that when younger men have ED, it was caused by psychological factors like performance anxiety. Now, researchers report that cardiovascular (CV) causes of ED are becoming more common in younger men. 

According to an article in a urology journal, these cardiovascular causes of ED in younger men often aren’t detected because many doctors presume the cause in young men is psychological rather than physical. 

According to one group of researchers, “In fact, in younger men with ED, even more than in older ones, recognizing CV risk factors or conditions can help identify men who, although at low absolute risk due to young age, carry a high relative risk for development of CV events.”(5)

One risk factor for ED—high blood pressure—is becoming more common in younger men. Nearly one-third (31.2%) of men ages 18-39 have hypertension, even men who exercise a lot.(6) In one study of 2,733 elite athletes, 34.3% had blood pressure readings of 140/90 mmHg or greater.(6) 

Take Charge of Your Sexual Health

The secret to strong erections even into your senior years is to start addressing your sexual health as soon as possible. 

In addition to exercising and eating right, Dr. Thompson recommends a simple protocol that includes a smart ring and at-home acoustic soundwave therapy. 

“The very second my patients report feeling as if they’re getting softer, I recommend they start acoustic soundwave therapy,” says Dr. Thompson. “The at-home version is an ideal option because it’s more affordable and convenient than in-clinic treatment. The smart ring serves to ramp up the effects and gives you a way to monitor your progress.”

Acoustic Soundwave Therapy

In acoustic soundwave therapy, a handheld device delivers low-intensity acoustic waves into penile tissue. It supports better blood flow where it matters most. It’s based on clinically studied technology used in medical clinics to enhance sexual performance. To discover more about the science behind acoustic soundwave therapy, read this blog post. 

Smart Ring

The smart ring is a device that you wear in order to track and optimize your sexual health. It uses medical-grade sensors to monitor key metrics like firmness, duration, and recovery time—all measurements that are important to men of any age and can show how you’re improving over time. 

Acoustic Soundwave Therapy + Smart Ring = Better Sexual Function

The smart ring works alongside the at-home acoustic soundwave therapy device as part of a complete system to maintain erectile health, whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, or beyond. 

Sources:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5313296/

2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23651423/

3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8254833/

4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5313305/

5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5313296/

6. https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/high-blood-pressure-young-men.html