This archive report was first published on 31 August 2019.
August 31, 2019, marked a day when many young men were struggling with erectile dysfunction. While some said they couldn't get 'hard enough' to have sex, others claimed they were 'finishing' too early. What was going on?
High stress levels are a major contributor to erectile dysfunction in younger men. Young men today face numerous stressors, including ever-changing societal expectations, struggling economies, and pressure from social media. Additionally, their resilience may not be as strong as needed to survive and thrive despite these stressors. Furthermore, smaller or weaker support systems can exacerbate the issue.
High stress levels negatively impact a man's ability to function sexually because sex requires vulnerability. It's challenging for a young man to allow himself to be vulnerable while buckling under the effects of stress. Moreover, sex for a man requires an energy-fueled, blood-fueled erection, which can be difficult to achieve in a stressful environment.
Stress tends to overwork the body, redirecting its resources to protect and keep the individual alive. As a result, sexual arousal becomes secondary to the body's primary purpose. To manage stress, men should engage in activities that promote relaxation, such as exercise, healthy eating, and sleep. They should also strengthen their coping mechanisms and support systems.
Over-indulgence is another significant factor contributing to erectile dysfunction in younger men. This includes the overuse of substances like tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs, as well as excessive consumption of erotic material and masturbation. When a man overindulges, he trains his body to respond only to external stimuli, making it difficult to achieve an erection without these factors.
Other forms of over-indulgence, such as excessive food consumption, solitude, and workaholism, can also redirect a man's life energy and rob him of his ability to attain and sustain an erection. A man must not play fast and loose with his sexual health by inadvertently teaching his body that it can only function while under the influence of something external.
By allowing his body to experience desire and pleasure from start to finish, a man can develop a rhythm and response pattern of its own. This way, with or without external factors, his body will know how and when to respond in a way that meets his sexual needs.
