A healthcare professional has weighed in on why so many men struggle with erectile dysfunction – younger men in particular.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is far from rare, with Johns Hopkins Medicine estimating it affects around 322 million men globally.
A range of physical conditions can make it harder to get or keep an erection, including type 2 diabetes. Mental health and lifestyle factors can matter too, such as depression and alcohol use, while certain medical issues like prostate problems may also play a role.
ED is more commonly reported in men over 40, but there has also been a noticeable rise in younger men saying they experience it.
That includes 28-year-old data analyst Alex, who appears on the latest season of Channel 4’s Virgin Island. He says difficulties getting an erection have contributed to him not having had sex yet.
He explained on the hit reality TV show: “Not being able to get an erection is constantly playing on my mind. This is something old people deal with.”
For men in Alex’s age group, doctor and psychosexual therapist Benjamin Davis believes the cause is often psychological rather than purely physical.
“A lot of men with psychological erection problems have an internal voice of critic which kicks in when they have sex,” Dr Davis told Metro. “It relates to shame and feeling ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘I’m not loveable’.”
He added: “Those thoughts can become very strong particularly in a sexual circumstance.”
Dr Davis said that pressure can intensify when it feels like everyone around you is having effortless relationships and a satisfying sex life.
“Seeing your peers have sexual interactions amplifies the sense there’s something wrong and can fuel avoidance of sex,” Dr Davis explained.
“If you think ‘I don’t want to have sex because I’m worried about something happening’ it makes the fear stronger. The negative voice becomes more cruel because it’s trying to keep you safe.”
That anxiety can affect erections because stress responses increase adrenaline and cortisol. Rather than prioritising blood flow to the penis, the body shifts into “fight or flight,” directing more blood toward vital organs like the heart so you’re primed to react—whether the threat is real or simply perceived.
When it comes to tackling ED that seems rooted in psychology, Dr Davis suggested starting with a closer look at what genuinely feels arousing and enjoyable, rather than what you think should be happening.
He said: “Think about good sexual experiences you’ve had before or what turns you on in your fantasy world, and think how aligned that is to the kind of sex you’re having. Is it what’s pleasurable for you?
“A lot of men feel they should be having sex they’ve seen online in porn, but it doesn’t really turn them on.”
He also recommended being intimate with someone you feel comfortable and secure with, so your attention stays on sensation and connection instead of spiralling into worried thoughts.