Erectile Dysfunction in 30s: Causes & Treatments

When it comes to sexual health, little worries men more than erectile dysfunction (ED). And while ED is often seen as an “older man’s problem,” you can experience erectile dysfunction at any age.

A variety of risk factors and causes of erectile dysfunction like cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and spinal cord injuries are not held at bay merely because you’re young. Certain medications, mental health challenges, an imbalance of testosterone levels, and physical causes can all increase the likelihood of experiencing ED — no matter how young or old you are.

If you have erectile dysfunction in your 30s, don’t worry. You’re not the only person going through it, and many treatments are available to help you overcome ED. Below, we explore why and how ED can happen in your 30s plus what you can do about it.

While many younger men may think having ED is impossible for someone their age, it's actually not all that uncommon. Younger men are often overlooked in studies involving erectile dysfunction, but an international study involving more than 27,000 men found that it affects 11 percent of men between 30 and 39 years old.

That’s no small number. If all of your friends are around age 30, it means roughly one in ten is dealing with impotence.

The study also revealed that eight percent of men ages 20 to 29 had an erectile function issue. That’s right, ED in your 20s is possible, too.

Although quite uncommon, even teens can get erectile dysfunction. It might sound surprising, but ED in teenagers is a real thing.

Unfortunately, due to a lack of studies surrounding young men and ED, this age group is more likely to be dismissed by healthcare providers when seeking treatment.

Sudden ED at 30 can be caused by numerous things — obesity, high blood pressure, hardening of arteries, physical deformities, smoking, alcohol use, low testosterone, antidepressants or other medications. It could also be a result of mental health issues like stress, anxiety, or depression.

Most Common Causes of ED in Your 30s

While it’s easy to assume erectile dysfunction only happens to men who are aging or have experienced a heart attack, men’s health and the symptoms of erectile dysfunction are not limited to age-based causes.

ED is a multifactorial condition, meaning there may not be one specific cause.

In younger adults, lifestyle and psychological issues can be a larger factor than physiological issues. Psychogenic erectile dysfunction involves psychological or interpersonal factors that affect performance in the bedroom. Among young men, psychogenic ED is the most common type of erectile dysfunction at 30.

Psychological causes of ED for men in their 30s can include:

• Sexual performance anxiety

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

• Relationship issues

• Social factors

• Guilt

• Depression

• Fear

Within the psychological factors causing ED for men in their 30s, there’s neurological ED. Neurological ED is when you can’t get or maintain an erection during sexual activity due to a neurological disorder. Examples of neurological disorders that may affect erections include spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis.

Men in their 30s may also be susceptible to organic ED. Within the previously mentioned international study, at least 15 to 20 percent of young men under 40 may have experienced organic erectile dysfunction as a result of aging, illness, or injury.

It’s worth mentioning that erectile dysfunction is a key predictor of cardiovascular events. This is particularly true for young men.

Research has shown that when ED happens in younger men (under age 40), it’s associated with an increased risk of a cardiac event — though that isn’t as frequently the case with older men. Some experts think this is because both heart disease and ED can result from vascular (blood flow) problems.

Less Common Causes of ED for Men in Their 30s

It’s not always easy to pinpoint the cause of sexual dysfunction in your 30s. Sometimes, there’s no straightforward answer to why younger men develop ED.

That international study we mentioned above collected data from men in eight different countries. Among participants, a higher prevalence of ED was associated with having more than one medical condition, like depression and diabetes.

To better understand erectile dysfunction at age 30, another study looked at 790 sexually active men. It revealed that younger patients with ED concerns shared the following conditions or behaviors:

• Premature ejaculation

• Cigarette smoking

• Use of illicit drugs

• Peyronie’s disease

Other factors for erection problems at 30 may include:

• Type 2 diabetes

• Heart and blood vessel diseases

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

• Atherosclerosis

• Chronic kidney disease

• Multiple sclerosis (MS)

• Certain medical procedures or treatments, like bladder cancer surgery and radiation therapy

• Side effects of certain medications, such as blood pressure medicines, antidepressants and antiandrogens

• Stress

• Low self-esteem

• Frequent, heavy alcohol consumption

• Being overweight or obese

• Not being physically active

Can ED be reversed? Yes: With the right treatment plan and habits, you can reduce ED symptoms.

Before diving into treatments, you should talk with your healthcare provider or a urologist to fully assess your ED and understand the cause.

Once the cause is identified, you and your provider can create a personalized treatment plan, which may include weight loss, medications, stopping smoking, counseling, and PDE5 inhibitor medication.

ED Medications

Many men opt to take ED medications to improve their sexual performance.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe PDE5 inhibitors to help mitigate your symptoms. They’re the first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction, even for men in their 30s.

PDE5 inhibitors include drugs like sildenafil (generic Viagra®), tadalafil (generic Cialis®), vardenafil (generic Levitra®) and Stendra® (brand-name avanafil). Don’t like swallowing pills? Your healthcare provider may prescribe hard mints, a chewable form of ED medication, instead.

Erectile dysfunction medications have varying doses and time releases, but all have been tested rigorously for safety and effectiveness.

Healthy Habits and Lifestyle Changes for ED

Preventing ED can be just as crucial as treating an existing issue. Regardless of the cause of your sexual dysfunction, some lifestyle changes may help you achieve and maintain an erection while preventing ED from returning.

Below are some examples of how you can reduce or improve your ED symptoms at 30:

• Quit smoking

• Limit or stop drinking alcohol

• Avoid illegal drugs

• Eat foods that can help you manage ED

• Increase physical activity levels

• Maintain a healthy body weight, which can increase blood flow to the penis

• Monitor and control diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia

Kicking unhealthy habits can be challenging, so don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider for support and advice.

Other ED Treatments

Since psychogenic ED is more common among men in their 30s, your healthcare provider may recommend antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, or therapy to treat the underlying mental disorder causing your ED.

In some instances, surgery may be required to treat ED in your 30s. It’s usually a last resort when other treatments are unsuccessful.

Surgical treatments for ED include penile prosthesis and vascular surgery. Vascular surgery is sometimes recommended for healthy young men who’ve developed ED due to an injury to their penis.

Here are other examples of potential treatments for erectile dysfunction in your 30s:

• Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT)

• Vacuum erection devices (VEDs)

• Intraurethral alprostadil

• Intracavernosal injections (ICIs)

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy

A healthcare provider can help you find the best ED treatment for your sexual function issues based on the cause and your current lifestyle habits.

A lot of things change in your 30s, and not just for your sex life. But keep in mind: ED isn’t likely to go away as you continue to age — not without help.

If you have ED, discuss erectile dysfunction treatment options with your healthcare provider.

Here’s what to keep in mind ahead of that conversation:

• Psychogenic ED is more common among men in their 30s. Mental health conditions, sexual performance anxiety, and relationship problems can cause this sexual dysfunction condition.

• Other potential causes of ED in your 30s can include unhealthy lifestyle habits, certain medical conditions, and medications.

• While there may be no simple trick to cure ED, there are solutions. And since ED can be a warning sign of bigger health problems, getting it solved is vital.

Want to learn more about erectile dysfunction treatments? Find out which drugs are safe for ED, and read our guides on sex therapy and physical therapy for erectile dysfunction. We also broke down tips for dealing with ED in a relationship.