Is There a Particular Erectile Dysfunction Age?

Chances are if you're inquiring about erectile dysfunction age, you're experiencing some level of impotence and you're concerned about it.

Can I be impotent at age 30?  Will I definitely experience some level of ED when I reach 50? Can it strike at any age?

These are all very good questions, and if you've been wondering about it, know that you are not alone.  We get emails all day long from men and women of all ages, from teenagers all the way up to those in their 80s.  It's a common concern, and one that we will do our best to clear up for you.

When Does Impotence Strike?

It's important to be aware of the fact that erectile dysfunction can happen at any time to anyone, and it's not directly related to your age.  Sure, the older you get the more likely you are to experience ED, but it's not all about how old you are, and your age does not directly determine your likelihood of impotence.

What do we mean by that?

There are a lot of potential impotence causes, ranging from stress to alcohol use to high blood pressure to relationship issues.  It could be physical, it could be psychological, it could be due to a lifestyle choice or the side effect of a medication you are taking.

So simply looking at it from an age perspective is not accurate.  You might say "Hey I'm 25, I can't have erectile dysfunction" or "Well, I'm 65, so I guess that's why I'm having issues".

You can be in your 20s and suffer from ED, and you can be 75 and perform like a rock star...there's simply not a direct relatinship between age and erectile dysfunction.

Erectile Dysfunction By Age

Now, what is easier to determine by age is what the particular cause of impotence is more likely to be.   This is especially true for men in their 20s and 30s, where the additional potential causes such as various diseases, medications and biophysical/biochemical changes are less likely to be factors.

At any rate, let's take a look at an erectile dysfunction age breakdown to help give you a clearer picture of what might be going on.

ED in Your 20s

The most recent research indicates that 5% of males with erectile dysfunction are between 20 and 39.  That may sound low, but if you think about the percentage men in that age group who are likely to seek medical help for a sex-related "problem", you can see how that number is probably a lot higher.  Plus, the study is a few years old.

At any rate, if you are in your 20s and experiencing erectile dysfunction, just know that you are not alone and it is a common issue.

As far as the causes, oftentimes it is psychological, and may be due to performance jitters, a very common issue especially in men who are newly sexually active.  There might be a lot of pressure on you, and this can definitely weigh on your mind and cause erectile dysfunction.

It can also be due to the way you are feeling in general...anxiety, depression, general unease...all of this can take over and make you unlikely to perform.  Relationship issues can be a problem as well.

If it's not mental, as it often is, one of the other major causes of ED in men in their 20s is alcohol and drug abuse.  Although you might think that these two things may help the situation, excessive alcohol and drug  intake can actually hamper your ability to perform.  It may take away your inhibitions, but when it comes time to have sex, you just may not be able to make it happen...this is very common, especially in young people.

ED in Your 30s

Experiencing erectile dysfunction in your 30s is slightly more common than in your 20s, and generally the causes are the same, and psychological in nature.  There may be additional stressors like work and family that weren't present in your 20s.  Relationship issues may weigh more on your mind.

Of course alcohol and drugs are always a potential cause as well, as they are at any age.  Smoking has been shown to constrict blood vessels, so if you've been smoking for years that can definitely be an influencing factor.

ED in Your 40s

As you enter your 40s, there is a higher likelihood of you experiencing some form of ED than there is in your 20s and 30s. So you might say that 40+ is the erectile dysfunction age, or at least the time when most men who will have issues will start having them.

Here, all of the probable causes that we mention above are at play, but now more of the physical causes of ED begin to take hold.  There may be an underlying condition that is causing the problem...diabetes, heart disease, hormone issues and various other disorders can influence your ability to get or maintain an erection.

That is not to say that these physical influencers can't be the culprit in your 20s and 30s, but they are much more likely to be a cause as you get older.

ED in Your 50s and beyond

Once you reach your 50s, the likelihood of erectile dysfunction jumps quite a bit.  That's why you'll hear people say that it can't be ED because you aren't over 50.  That seems to be the magic number, and yes that's when it really starts to affect most people...but again, it can happen at any age.

In your 50s, the potential causes are the same as they are in your 40s, except you have further development of any untreated health conditions, effects of long term drinking, smoking and drug use, built up stress, effects of poor eating habits, lack of exercise, etc.

When you're eating poorly, drinking a lot and not working out in your 2os, your body can usually handle it.  Thirty years later?  Not so much.  The effects of all of your bad habits start taking a toll, and one of the issues may be a case of erectile dysfunction.

For obvious reasons, as you move into your 60s, 70s and 80s, the body begins to break down, the heart doesn't pump blood as effectively as it once did...getting an erection even for the healthiest of individuals is a bit more difficult than it once was.

The good news is that more than half of men over the age of 75 can still perform.  That's a very comforting stat. :)

Age is Just a Number

Whether you are 25 or 75, know that erectile dysfunction is very common and it is treatable at any age.  it's nothing to be ashamed of and it's not something you should hide from your partner or your doctor.

If it's an occasional thing, it's nothing to concern yourself with.  However, it's happening on a regular basis, or otherwise affecting your well-being, then it's worth a trip to the doctor to find out what's going on.

Chances are at a younger age it is a psychological issue, although keep in mind it could possibly be an injury to the area that you have sustained in the past.

As you get older, physical issues are more likely to come into play, including health conditions, side effects of medications and vascular issues.

Make sure you make your doctor aware of everything that may be playing a role, and together you can figure out the best treatment plan.

So what's the erectile dysfunction age? We've learned that it could be 25 or 85...it can happen to anyone at anytime, and it's not something you should get upset about.  Figure out what the issue is, and get it taken care of.

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