Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes Mellitus

Erectile dysfunction is the complication related to getting and maintaining a penile erection sufficient for penetration during sex. Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is therefore different from the problem of lack of sexual desire or premature ejaculation. Men with ED have sexual desire, but are unable to get or keep an erection.

Men with diabetes have a much easier time developing ED than men without the disease. And they develop for 5 to 10 years earlier and 25 to 75% more than a human without diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, at least half of men over 50 who have diabetes also suffer from ED. Risk of ED increases depending on how many years the man is with diabetes and their severity. Yet, the ED of men with diabetes can be well controlled with proper medication and treatment.

How man achieves erection?

Erections occur as a result of physical and / or psychological stimuli that cause the blood to flow and fill the tissue as sponge (called corpora cavernosa) of the penis. There is an artery running through the center of each corpus cavernosum. When there is an excitement, the body transmits chemical messages to the brain which in return signals the body’s smooth muscle cells to relax. When this occurs, blood is trapped there by the outer layer of the corpora cavernosa that causes it to not quit and be filled with blood and finally an erection. When the excitement is over, or the man has orgasm, the cells of the corpora cavernosa contract sending blood out of it.

Why men with diabetes have erectile dysfunction risk?

Men with diabetes have three main risk factors for having ED. First, diabetes can cause nerve damage (neuropathy) throughout the body, including the nerves of the penis. Changes in penile nerves can interfere with the ability of your body to send messages and receive them in the penis. Diabetes can worsen the condition known as atherosclerosis, in which the blood flows with difficulty by blood vessels. The narrowing of vessels of the penis, which are much thinner than those around the heart, causes an input difficulty and blood out of the penis, causing ED. Finally, diabetic men must monitor their blood glucose. 

When not controlled, your body does not produce enough nitric oxide and vascular tissues do not respond well. Nitric oxide (NO) is a neurotransmitter produced by the body, responsible for helping the communication of a cell with the other. If the body does not produce enough Nitric oxide, the veins of the penis are not compressed with pressure and the blood comes out quickly with no hard erection. In addition to these causes, men with diabetes often have other associated conditions with ED - including hypertension, obesity and increased triglycerides and cholesterol. In general, diabetic patients have more than one adjuvant cause that does develop ED.

How to treat erectile dysfunction in who is diabetes?

The first ED treatment rule for diabetic patient is to control the sugar level in blood. Your doctor most likely will recommend some changes in your lifestyle as changing your diet and increase your physical activity.

Treatment:

1-    Changes in lifestyle: diet change, increased physical activity, weight loss, stop smoking.

2-    Medicines for diabetes, for other diseases, pro-erection medication (Levitra, Levitra, Cialis, Viagra).

3-    Other treatment options: therapy injection into the penis, vacuum use, therapy with androgens.

To sum up

Erectile dysfunction does not necessarily occur in all men who have diabetes mellitus. Keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) well controlled and have a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of ED. Control other associated diseases such as heart disease and hypertension. But it is very important that the man regularly consult the doctor, even if you have not yet ED signals.