If you're a man with diabetes, there's good news and bad news for your sex life. The bad news is that men with diabetes are three times more likely to suffer from sex-related problems than non-diabetic men. The most common sexual problem is erectile dysfunction or ED, sometimes called impotence. The good news is that ED is one of the treatable complications of diabetes. In fact, more than 95% cases can be successfully treated.
What ED is and what it isn't
ED is not an occasional failure to achieve an erection. All men have occasional erectile problems, usually related to fatigue, illness, alcohol, drug use, or stress. It's completely normal. Diabetes damages blood vessels, especially the smallest ones, such as those in the penis. Diabetes can also cause heart disease and other circulatory problems. Proper blood flow is absolutely necessary to achieve an erection. Anything that restricts or impairs blood flow can affect the ability to achieve an erection, regardless of how strong the sexual desire is. Diabetes often causes kidney disease, which can cause chemical changes in the type and amount of hormones the body secretes, including hormones involved in sexual response. Psychological problems can cause decreased sex drive, but they can also lead to ED even when sex drive is fine. ED can cause significant life changes, stressful events, relationship problems, or even fear of ED itself. 25% cases of ED are caused by drugs. Many medications, including common medications prescribed for diabetes and its complications, can cause ED. Most often, these are drugs for the treatment of blood pressure, antihistamines, antidepressants, sedatives, appetite suppressants. However, this does not mean that you should stop taking these drugs. ED is easily treated. The most common types of ED treatments are:
- medicines
- external mechanical devices
- consultancy
- surgery.
The most well-known drugs for ED are
- Kamagra (Sildenafil)
- levitra (vardenafil)
- Cialis (tadalafil).
They are very similar and all have proven to be very effective. Because they are effective, convenient, and relatively inexpensive, many men with ED use these drugs. However, in some cases these drugs may be unsuitable for patients with heart disease. ED is the repeated inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. Although sexual performance generally declines with age, a man who is healthy, both physically and mentally, should be able to achieve an erection and enjoy intercourse regardless of his age. ED is not a necessary part of the aging process.
Problems with diabetes
Many men with diabetes experience decreased sex drive, often due to hormonal imbalance or depression. One of the most common complications of diabetes is neuropathy, or nerve damage.