A new study has revealed that the number of young men seeking help for erectile dysfunction (ED) may be higher than previously thought.

Erectile Dysfunction commonly occurs in men with age but a new study suggests that the number of men under age 40 suffering from ED is higher than previously thought. The results of the study are based on clinic visits from men seeking help for ED. Primary medications for ED involve drugs like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. Paolo Capogrosso, MD, of the University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, in Milan, Italy, and his team analyzed data of 439 men who visited the clinic between 2010 and 2012 for ED.

Erectile Dysfunction is a condition where a man is unable to get or maintain an erection. ED increases rapidly with age and is a common marker for stress. "Erectile function, in general, is a marker for overall cardiovascular function -- this is the first research showing evidence of severe erectile dysfunction in a population of men 40 years of age or younger" Irwin Goldstein, editor-in-chief of The Journal of Sexual Medicine, said in a statement.

The study results showed that 26 percent or 114 patients who visited the clinic were aged 40 years or younger. The group of younger patients had a lower body mass index, high testosterone levels in the blood and fewer medical conditions compared to the group of older adults involved in the study.

Researchers also noted that the younger group of patients smoked and used illicit drugs more frequently than their older counterparts. The younger group of patients also complained about premature ejaculation more than the older group of patients. Researchers found that nearly half of men under 40, 48.8 percent, suffered from this sexual condition, while 40 percent of the older group of men suffered a similar condition.

Dr. Capogrosso said that the study stressed upon the need of complete physical examinations for all men with ED, regardless of their age.

The results of the study are published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.