Now, let us talk about the connection between diabetes and impotence. Which risks bears every patient with the first diagnosis? Can a man prevent erectile dysfunction due to diabetes or to specific medications? Let’s observe the problem in more detail.
Diabetes and erectile dysfunction: Risk factors
In fact, the connection between diabetes and erectile dysfunction was long ago confirmed by numerous epidemiological studies. According to statistics, diabetic patients suffer from impotence three times more frequently than men without this diagnosis. Unfortunately, the prevalence of this sexual disorder in the diabetic population varies from 30% to 60%.
Moreover, it usually increases in the following cases:
- with aging
- as the duration of the diabetic disease increases
- in case of microvascular complications and neuropathy
- when a patient develops arterial hypertension associated with diabetes
- if a man takes anti-hypertensive drugs, such as beta blockers, methyldopa and especially diuretics
- in case of poor glycemic control expressed by high values of glycated hemoglobin
- when a patient develops obesity associated with a sedentary lifestyle
- in men who smoke and abuse alcohol
Fortunately, all this means that any person might decrease the risks just by maintaining a healthier lifestyle. Obviously, you cannot prevent aging or protect yourself from certain diabetes complications. On the other hand, you can at least drink in moderation and quit smoking.
Link between diabetes and impotence: The main reasons
To explain why diabetes gets associated with erectile dysfunction, let us just mention several specific ways of developing impotence.
- ED of a psychogenic nature. The awareness that diabetes may cause various complications, including impotence, can trigger anxiety. Subsequently, a fear of failure during sexual intercourse contributes to erectile deficits.
- Impotence due to macro-vascular alterations. In case of diabetes not adequately controlled by medicines, excess glucose makes blood vessels less elastic and less functional. Also, diabetic patients quite often have atherosclerosis, which reduces the blood supply to the penis.
- Nerve alterations and endothelial dysfunctions. First, the alterations of the small blood vessels that carry blood, oxygen and nutrients to the nerves, cause neuropathy. This, in turn, reduces the synthesis of nitric oxide – fundamental mediator of normal erection.
Treatment of impotence in men with diabetes: Easy tips
First of all, to establish a proper treatment for erectile dysfunction, you should identify its exact causes. Therefore, any diabetic patient with erection difficulties should consult a doctor, avoiding the spontaneous intake of commonly used drugs such as Viagra. In the presence of diabetes and its certain complications affecting the heart, liver and kidneys, medications for ED might harm you. Anyway, do not worry about diabetes and impotence connection, since with the help of a good specialist you can manage it.