Diabetes and Impotence in Men - Reasons and Remedies

What is the link between diabetes and impotence in men?

A number of physiological aspects of diabetes contribute to erectile dysfunction in men with the disease.

When something elicits a sexual response, the tissues and blood vessels in the penis react in such a way that nerve signals trigger the expansion of blood vessels, causing the tissues in the penis to compress and ‘trap’ blood in the penis, causing an erection. There are a few reasons why this is often inhibited in diabetic people, and indeed, 35 to 75 percent of men with diabetes will develop some degree of erectile dysfunction at some point.

There are a few different issues that can lead to the link between diabetes and impotence in men. For some, the release and transport of nitric oxide becomes a problem. Nitric oxide causes the smooth muscles and arteries in the penis to relax so that an erection can develop. The damage to blood vessels caused by high blood sugar can block the release of nitric oxide, reducing blood flow to the penis.

According the American Diabetes Association, 73% of adults with diabetes have high blood pressure or have been diagnosed with hypertension. High blood pressure combined with diabetes creates a precarious climate for blood vessels, often resulting in reduced blood flow to the penis. Additionally, high cholesterol, particularly LDL, or “bad cholesterol”, can impede the blood vessels ability to dilate, further reducing blood flow. These factors contribute to the diabetes and impotence connection.

It is important to note that the problem of erectile dysfunction is a complicated one, as it often has a physiological and psychological component. In diabetic men, impotence is generally a physical issue, but the emotions and disposition toward one’s health that an individual presents with can further increase erectile difficulty.

Erectile dysfunction doesn’t need to be debilitating,, and there are a number of ways to address this issue. There are a number of prescriptions available, such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra, which are quite popular and effective means of dealing with this issue.

For people with diabetes, cardiovascular health is a consideration when discussing the option of these medications, so it is very important to discuss the unique risks of these medications for someone with this disease. Of course, we generally do not recommend pharmaceutical drugs, unless absolutely necessary, and this applies also to diabetes and impotence.

Other options include sex therapy, intracavernous injection therapy, vacuum constriction devices, and intraurethral therapy.

It is incredibly important to have a detailed medical evaluation before making any changes to one’s pharmacological or dietary routine, and this becomes even more essential for those with diabetes; this said, there are a few non-medical ways of dealing with impotence. From exercises in building and controlling desire, to herbal remedies, there are many different ways to approach this issue. In particular, some herbs that are said to have sex enhancing properties are ginseng, maca, yohimbe, kava, and fresh oats.

Though the diabetes and impotence link is strong, and impotence is quite common in diabetic men, it does not need to interfere with one’s life or normal sexual activity. Because the problem is primarily physiological, there are a number of ways to address the issues associated with insufficient blood flow in achieving an erection. From pharmacological intervention to behavioral treatment to herbal remedies, there are many options for those suffering from this issue.

For many people caught in this diabetes and impotence situation, seeking treatment for this issue is the most difficult hurdle to overcome, but its prevalence and the myriad of treatment options available mean that men suffering from this problem can still lead healthy and fulfilling sex lives.

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