Diabetes and erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction means you cannot have an erection that is sufficient to perform sexual intercourse. Many men experience short-term episodes of erectile dysfunction but, for about one in 10 men, the problem may continue.

See your doctor if you notice any failure to achieve an erection. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by physical and psychological factors including: low levels of the male hormone testosterone. Physical erectile dysfunction happens over a period of months or years and is often a gradual loss of function.

If erections still occur spontaneously overnight or in the morning, this indicates that the problem may be psychological. The reasons why men with diabetes are more prone to problems with erectile dysfunction are not fully understood.

However, we do know that men with diabetes are more likely to develop erectile problems when their diabetes is not well controlled.

Over the long term, poor control of diabetes may result in increased damage to the nerves and circulation that controls blood flow to the penis.

If blood glucose levels are kept in the normal range, it will help reduce the chance of these problems occurring. The treatment for erectile dysfunction depends on the cause.

It’s important to discuss the problem with your doctor. Often the answers to a few simple questions will help to determine if the problem is physical or psychological. Tests can determine if the blood flow to the penis is affected. can also help to determine if hormone problems are causing the erectile dysfunction.

There are many treatment alternatives for erectile dysfunction

Discuss your treatment options with your doctor

Treatments depend on the cause of the erectile dysfunction, which may include:

• it may help to treat the causes of stress. Behavioural therapy
• counselling can also be successful
• particularly if your partner is involved. – there are several possible treatments
• depending on the physical cause

If the problem is related to nerve damage or poor blood supply, options include medications, vacuum devices or surgery. Women with diabetes complain of impairment in vaginal lubrication with arousal, presumably due to damage to the nerves and circulation that control blood flow. About diabetes and erectile dysfuntion Men with diabetes are at a higher risk of erectile dysfunction Causes of erectile dysfunction stress , anxiety and nervousness problems in relationships poor health drinking too much alcohol cigarette smoking some medications some operations Link between diabetes and erectile dysfunction Diagnosis of erectile dysfunction Blood tests Treatment for erectile dysfunction Psychological causes Physical causes Women and sexual dysfunction Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Diabetes specialist Diabetes educator National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) 1800 637 700 American Diabetes Association (616) 555-0400 Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute Diabetes Clinic (616) 555-0200 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (616) 555-0400 13 RISK (13 7475).

Key Points

• treatment for erectile dysfunction depends on the cause
• It’s important to discuss the problem with your doctor
• There are many treatment alternatives for erectile dysfunction
• Discuss your treatment options with your doctor
• – there are several possible treatments, depending on the physical cause