Expert reveals what 'penis anxiety' is and issues warning for who is most likely to have it
While you'd think it's mainly older men who have problems in the bedroom, younger people are facing issues too.
Millions (and I mean millions) of men across the globe suffer with erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives.
There are various different causes of the disorder, for example some studies have suggested that vitamin D deficiency can contribute towards it.
Your diet can also be a factor. Watermelon's reportedly good for helping with ED, as well as improving sperm quality, compared to food that's high in saturated and trans fats which can be disadvantageous.
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One thing that's a common misconception about ED is that it only affects older men, but it turns out that there's more young men looking for help with the condition than you'd think.
According to Dr Babak, GP at Superdrug Online Doctor, men 35 and under now represent just over half of all ED consultations, with demand among this group rising by around 45 percent over the past decade.
However, rather that it being an age factor that's causing ED, young men are suffering with something known as 'penis anxiety' stemming from apprehension about performance.
What is penis anxiety?
Performance anxiety happens when the pressure to 'perform' in the bedroom gets in the way of actually enjoying intimacy.
Of course, occasional nerves are completely normal (especially if it's your first time with a new partner), but ongoing anxiety can lead to difficulties with erections and cause ED to become a recurring issue. But what factors are contributing to young men experiencing ED?
Mental health misinformation
According to Dr Babak, social media can contribute towards young men feeling nervous when it comes to their bedroom antics.
"The rise of mental health content on social media platforms also play a role in fuelling performance anxiety," he shared.
"More than half of the most popular mental health videos on TikTok are misleading or potentially harmful. A lot of this online advice turns complex mental health issues into bite-sized trends, often confusing ordinary feelings with clinical anxiety and offering unrealistic 'quick fix' solutions."
Dr Babak went on: "For young men already navigating the pressures of sex and masculinity, this steady stream of misinformation can deepen self-doubt and increase the risk of anxiety-linked erectile dysfunction."
Porn
Unrealistic standards portrayed in adult films can make a man feel that what they're doing in the bedroom isn't good enough.
"The unrealistic portrayals of sex and relationships online create expectations that simply don’t reflect real life," warned Dr Babak.
He added: "Many men experience performance anxiety because they compare themselves to unrealistic standards they see online, in porn, social media, or other 'perfect' portrayals which fuels self-doubt and makes erectile dysfunction more likely. It’s important to remember that what you see on screen is performance, not reality."
Stress and lifestyle burnout
Young people are more stressed than ever. One survey carried out in 2023 by the American Psychological Association found that 18 to 34-year-olds said their average stress level was six out of 10.
"Busy schedules, lack of sleep, and the constant juggle of work, fitness, and relationships can leave men mentally too drained to enjoy intimacy," says Dr Babak. "Prioritising downtime, building in exercise, and practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing can help calm the nervous system and improve sexual wellbeing."
Topics: Health, Mental Health, News, Sex and Relationships, Community
Niamh Shackleton