Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction

It is believed that 35% to 75% of men diagnosed with diabetes will have some degree of erectile dysfunction, known as impotence, during their lifetime. Diabetes tends to bring on this problem 10 to 15 years earlier than those men without diabetes.

Erectile dysfunction in diabetes is complex and involves problems with nerves, blood vessels and muscles. To obtain an erection, there needs to be healthy blood vessels, male hormones, nerves, as well as a desire to be sexually stimulated. But diabetes can damage nerves and blood vessels.

There are a number of erectile dysfunction treatments available. Talk to your doctor to see if any may be a choice for you:

Oral Medications

Medications include Viagra, Cialis, Levitra. These medications ease blood flow to the penis making it easier to obtain and keep an erection. But those with diabetes also tend to have heart problems, and these medications may not be good options and can cause dangerous interactions with heart medications.

Other Medications

If your doctor fears that any of the above medications are not right for you, then your doctor can recommend a suppository which is inserted into the tip of the penis during sex. There is also a possibility of injecting medication at the base of the penis. These both increase blood flow which helps obtain and maintain an erection.

Penis Pump

This is a vacuum constriction device. It is a hollow tube which when placed over the penis and pumped draws blood into the penis to create an erection.

Penile Implants

If medications or a penis pump do not work, there is also the option of a penis implant which can be considered.

Other options include intracavernous injection therapy, intraurethral therapy, and also sex therapy. But no matter which option you and your doctor decide is best for you, this article should show anyone with this problem that there are options to help with this situation.

The chronic disease of diabetes can cause many complications but this particular complication can have a profound effect on the diabetic’s emotional and mental health at a time when the diabetic should be thinking positively about this disease and his treatment options. It is very important that if erectile dysfunction does occur, the diabetic should feel free to discuss all options with his primary care physician.