Erectile dysfunction increasingly affects young Vietnamese men: doctors

What is more concerning is that many young men silently endure the condition, turning to online advice or being misled by advertisements for unverified 'herbal remedies,' 'male enhancement' products, and testosterone boosters of unclear origin, delaying proper treatment.

Erectile dysfunction linked to KPI pressure, chronic stress

T.N.V., a 29-year-old man from Ho Chi Minh City, sought treatment at the men’s health clinic of Gia Dinh People’s Hospital after months of anxiety over declining erectile function.

According to the patient, he had been under intense workplace pressure, frequently staying up late to meet targets, sleeping irregularly, and enduring chronic stress.

At first, he noticed his morning erections becoming less frequent.

Over time, he began struggling to maintain erections during intimacy with his wife, which deepened his anxiety.

For nearly six months, the couple had been trying for their first child. But the condition gradually made him avoid intimacy, leaving him trapped in feelings of guilt, insecurity, and stress.

At the hospital, doctors conducted clinical examinations, ultrasound scans, semen analysis, and hormone testing.

Results showed no significant structural abnormalities, though his testosterone level was relatively low while semen indicators remained within normal ranges.

Doctors then prescribed a personalized treatment plan. Alongside medication, they focused on lifestyle changes, encouraging regular exercise and adequate sleep.

After a period of treatment, his condition improved significantly.

Morning erections gradually returned, his ability to maintain erections improved, and his confidence in married life slowly recovered without dependence on medication.

The couple later conceived naturally.

In another case, a 48-year-old businessman visited a clinic in Ho Chi Minh City after experiencing erectile dysfunction for several months during a high-pressure period at work.

Notably, all medical indicators appeared normal after different examinations.

During consultations, the patient admitted he often worked long hours, slept little, and rarely expressed feelings of exhaustion, constantly trying to maintain the image that 'everything is fine.'

Doctors focused treatment on restoring his physical and emotional foundation: rebuilding healthy sleep habits, reducing alcohol consumption and social engagements during peak work periods, resuming regular exercise, and, most importantly, lowering psychological pressure by encouraging him to openly share his true emotional state with his partner instead of constantly trying to appear perfect.

After several weeks, his symptoms improved markedly.

Consistent absence of morning erections may signal erectile dysfunction

Dr. Nguyen Huynh Dang Khoa of Gia Dinh People’s Hospital said erectile dysfunction in young men should not be dismissed or viewed as merely a psychological issue.

Protracted stress, sleep deprivation, and disrupted biological rhythms can interfere with the body’s reproductive hormone system, causing testosterone levels to fall toward the lower threshold, he said.

“When that happens, patients may not only experience erectile problems but also fatigue, low energy, declining confidence, emotional instability, and reduced work performance,” Dr. Khoa said, adding that these factors often reinforce one another in a 'pathological cycle.'

According to the doctor, erectile dysfunction affects an estimated 8-15 percent of young men, with a decline in morning erections considered an important warning sign.

He said the symptom could indicate prolonged stress, sleep disorders, hormonal changes, or even underlying metabolic disease rather than temporary exhaustion alone.

Dr. Nguyen Gia Ky from the hospital’s department of nephro-urology said erectile dysfunction can be treated effectively if detected early and properly assessed.

Men should seek medical attention if they experience sustained reduction in morning erections, difficulty maintaining erections, declining libido, fatigue, or persistent low energy, he said.

Doctors also warned that untreated erectile dysfunction may reduce sexual frequency and lower the chances of natural conception, contributing to infertility in some couples.

Early examinations not only help improve sexual function but can also identify underlying hormonal, psychological, or lifestyle-related problems affecting overall health, doctors said.

Medical experts advised young men not to ignore bodily changes, especially as workplace pressure, late nights, and chronic stress become increasingly common.

“Erectile dysfunction is not something shameful, nor should it be treated through word-of-mouth remedies or unverified advertisements,” doctors said, urging patients with symptoms to seek specialized care promptly, particularly couples trying to conceive.