Erectile Dysfunction is Becoming More Common in Younger Men. Here's Why

22 August, 2025  |  Jane Thomas - Marketing

Erectile Dysfunction is Becoming More Common in Younger Men. Here's Why...

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has long been thought of as an older man's problem - and for good reason: empirical data suggests that, as men get older, their risk of developing ED increases. 

Looking at that single statistic doesn't give you the full picture, though. Yes, men aged over 40 are more likely to get ED, but younger men can get it too - and some recent studies have shown that ED is on the rise in men under 40. Though the scientific data has often sought to identify that older men are at increased risk of suffering ED, younger men, too, are increasingly becoming victims of ED.

In this article we're going to take a closer look at these studies - and delve into why ED in young men is becoming increasingly prevalent.

Why are erection problems more common in men over 40?

Typically, ED is more common in men over 40 due to physical factors - things like declining testosterone levels, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Lifestyle factors are also more likely to contribute as men get older; for instance, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle tend to be more of an issue in older men as energy levels deplete and life presents more stressful challenges.

In contrast, younger men typically have more physically active lifestyles and are less likely to have high blood pressure or cholesterol levels - meaning they're less likely to get ED.

Why is ED becoming more prevalent in young men?

That brings us onto the big question: why is ED getting more common in men aged under 40?

Firstly, a study published in 2013 found that 26% of men under 40 years old had experienced ED at some point in their life - a significant figure. Combine this finding with the fact that ED is, generally, on the rise globally, with an increase in prevalence of more than 50% since 1995, and it's easy to see why ED is in the spotlight more than it's ever been, particularly in light of falling birth rates in western nations.

With roughly one in four ED diagnoses now being handed out to men aged under 40, many have been left wondering why. What's changed? Although it's difficult to conclusively pinpoint the reasons for this shift, it's unlikely to be as a result of physical or genetic factors; after all, men aged under 40 are far less likely to get ED that is tied directly to high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels or declining testosterone levels.

That just leaves us with two possibilities: lifestyle and psychological contributors. 

Psychological factors

Mental health factors such as stress, depression and anxiety are common contributors to conditions like ED. Not only can they have an impact on libido, they can make it more difficult to get an erection at all - and the mental pressure associated with performance anxiety, the likelihood of getting ED again increases - almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

It's a vicious cycle: you worry about not being able to impress your partner or you're overly critical of yourself, so you struggle to get an erection. Then, when that happens, your mental health further declines and your relationship with sex (and your partner) worsens.

When you couple that to the fact that severe mental health conditions - such as depression - can generally make it difficult to get in the mood for sex, you can see why mental health is such a significant contributory factor. As of 2023, one in five young people in England have been afflicted with a mental health disorder - up from the results of a previous survey in 2017. With more young people seeking mental health support than ever, could this be why ED is on the rise too?

Lifestyle factors

Alcohol abuse, drug use, smoking and vaping are all well-known potential causes of ED - but there are other lifestyle factors that you may not have considered. 

Diet and exercise levels can have a significant impact on your sexual health; for example, those with obesity - even if they are young in age - are more likely to have high blood pressure and/or cholesterol levels, thereby increasing their chances of getting ED.

Then, there's porn - often cited as one of the main reasons for ED's rising prevalence in younger men. With porn more widely accessible online than it's ever been, many experts argue that this is warping some men's relationship with sex, effectively 'desensitising' them and also increasingly likely to resort to a quicker, less effort-laden way to achieve the same climax. Unrealistic views on sex can make it more difficult for men to get aroused, thereby leading to an ED diagnosis.

Are you experiencing symptoms associated with ED? We can help

Although ED is becoming more widespread, so too are ED treatments. We offer a range of convenient, affordable and effective options here at iQ Doctor, including Viagra, Cialis and many more - all available to order online. 

To get started, discover our complete range of erectile dysfunction treatments and start your free online consultation today.