Failure to get an erection that is hard enough for
sexual intercourse is called erectile dysfunction (ED), or
impotence.
Many men with diabetes are impotent. There are several
important facts to know about diabetes and ED:
Impotence can be an early sign of
diabetes.
Having diabetes, however, does not guarantee that you
will become impotent. Keeping your diabetes under control can
significantly reduce the risk of ED.
If you do have erectile dysfunction caused by
diabetes, it can be treated.
The body makes a hormone called insulin. Insulin lets cells in the body accept sugar in foods.
Diabetes occurs when the body stops making insulin, or does not make enough of it. When that happens, sugar cannot get into the cells and they die.
Diabetes is a serious disease. A person can get it at any age. Most people who have diabetes, though, get it during middle age or beyond.
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There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.
Type 1 diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes. People with this type of diabetes do not make insulin at all. They must take insulin shots to survive. People with Type 1 diabetes usually get it before age 30.
Type 2 diabetes is also called non-insulin dependent diabetes. Most people with diabetes have this type. A person with Type 2 diabetes may not make enough insulin, or cannot use the insulin his body does make. In many cases, a person with Type 2 diabetes can manage the disease with a healthy diet, exercise, and weight control. Doctors may also prescribe drugs to help the body use insulin.
To get an erection, you need healthy nerves and blood vessels, male hormones, and a desire for sex. Diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels that control your erection. Even if you have the hormones you need and want sex, you still may not be able to get a firm erection.
If you have diabetes, you can reduce your risk of developing ED by keeping your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. It will also help to quit smoking, drink less alcohol, and control your blood pressure.
If you think you have erectile dysfunction, see your doctor as soon as possible. Only a doctor can decide if you have erectile dysfunction, and whether it is related to diabetes.
Ask your diabetologist or endocrinologist to refer you to a urologist who specializes in ED.
Effective treatments for erectile dysfunction include Viagra. Viagra works by stimulating blood flow to your penis. This drug often is the first treatment for ED. Unfortunately, Viagra fails for 30% - 40% of the men who try it.
Because diabetes can damage your peripheral vascular system, Viagra may not be appropriate. Many men with diabetes have other cardiovascular problems, and Viagra may not be a suitable treatment. Only a doctor can decide if you should try Viagra.
When Viagra doesn't work, there are other treatments available, including penile implants, vacuum devices, drug injections, and urethral suppositories.
For men with diabetes, implants are among the most effective treatments for ED. Implants have been enhanced and perfected over a period of 25 years. Nearly 300,000 men have had a penile implant. Clinical studies show a very high degree of satisfaction with the devices.
The best treatment for erectile dysfunction depends on many things. These include a man's health and personal and physical tolerance for the treatment. Work with your doctor (usually a urologist specializing in the treatment of ED) and your partner to choose the best treatment for you.