Diabetes and ED: How to Overcome It

Did you know that controlling your diabetes can help improve your performance in the bedroom?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) can be a challenge to live with – and even a bigger challenge to discuss – especially if you are diabetic. According to the American Diabetes Association, an estimated 35-75% percent of men with diabetes will experience some level of ED during their lifetime. Men with diabetes also tend to develop ED 10-15 years earlier than average. As diabetic men age, the issue becomes even more common. Nearly 60% of men over age 50 experience difficulty with an erection; the number increases to 95% over age 70.

November is American Diabetes Month. Our sexual health experts offer insight on the connection between diabetes and ED, and what treatment options are available.

What causes ED in diabetic men?

For men to engage in sexual activity, they need more than to be sexually aroused. Their nerves, muscles, and blood vessels – in addition to male hormones – need to be healthy and functioning properly.

One of the side effects of diabetes is neuropathy, or nerve damage that can cause weakness, numbness, or pain. Usually, this affects hands and feet, but it can also affect nerves and blood vessels responsible for a successful erection. Thus, even if you have the proper amounts of male hormones and the desire to be intimate, you may still struggle with ED.

High blood sugar vessels, prevalent in uncontrolled diabetes, can also affect sexual performance and lead to ED. Complications can include nerve damage, blood vessel damage, and damage to the erectile tissue. If left untreated, it can disrupt normal sexual function.

Diabetes can also cause accelerated atherosclerosis, or the narrowing and hardening of blood vessels, including those in male sexual organs. This can result in poor circulation of oxygen and blood into the penis, leading to ED.

Can ED be reversed?

Erectile dysfunction can be reversed in a majority of cases. There are short-term treatments available to help men achieve erections. But, addressing diabetes and its underlying causes are the keys to long-term ED reversal. Our health experts are available to discuss your health issues and determine your next course of treatment.

What ED treatments are available?

There are a few options available to treat your ED:

Medication. Drugs, including Viagra and Cialis, can be prescribed to increase blood flow to the penis and help trigger an erection. Surgical implants induce an erection by drawing blood into the penis, even in cases of severe nerve damage. Neither of these options help treats diabetes or its underlying causes.
Therapy. Pelvic floor exercises, under the supervision of a physical therapist, can help strengthen muscles affected by ED. Speaking with a counselor or psychotherapist can help you work on any anxiety, depression, or self-esteem issues.
Lifestyle changes. Adapting a diabetes-friendly lifestyle to help balance your blood glucose levels – including proper diet and regular exercise – can help reduce the symptoms of diabetes and reverse your ED naturally.

Florida Men’s Health Center is the state’s premier health clinic for men. Our main goal is to get you on a healthier path by working together to determine the source of your problem and helping you regain your sexual health. There’s a reason Florida Men’s Health has five-star reviews on Google. Quite simply, we are the best at what we do when it comes to ED and sexual health.

Experience the difference for yourself; call us today at 954 509-9111 to schedule your free consultation.

Sources

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/in-depth/erectile-dysfunction/art-20043927

https://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/guide/ed-diabetes

Photo from Canva