Cases of erectile dysfunction tied to poor diet, underlying chronic conditions, and other complications have been rampant among the youth. Research conducted by the Kenya Medical Research Institute KEMRI among 350 sexually active men aged between 18 and 35 years in Nairobi established that one in every ten young men suffers from erectile dysfunction.
What is erectile dysfunction? This is defined as the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance.
While the condition has traditionally been associated with older men, it is increasingly being perceived among younger populations, challenging long-held assumptions about male sexual health and age.
Among young men in Nairobi, erectile dysfunction is largely attributed to anxiety, chronic stress, poor dietary habits, cigarette smoking, depression, excessive alcohol consumption, and illicit drug abuse.
These factors are often linked to the pressures of urban living and have a direct impact on both physical and mental well-being.
Projections suggest that the global burden of erectile dysfunction has more than doubled, rising from approximately 150 million men in 1995 to an estimated 320 million by 2025. This trend places erectile dysfunction among the most significant yet under-discussed public health concerns worldwide.
Researchers from KEMRI note that these findings highlight the urgent need to integrate sexual health education, mental health screening, and lifestyle assessments into healthcare services for young men. Such measures would also help curb unsafe self-medication practices, including the unsupervised use of so-called blue pills.
Leave a comment