Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and Type 2 Diabetes: Is There a Connection?
Is it Common?
Even though diabetes and erectile dysfunction (ED) are two different conditions, they tend to be closely related. ED is defined as having difficulty getting and/or keeping an erection. Men who have been diagnosed with diabetes are two to three times more likely to develop ED. When men that are age 45 and under develop ED, it may be a sign of type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes can occur when the body has too much sugar circulating in your bloodstream. There are two main types of diabetes type 1 diabetes, which affects lower than 10 percent of those who have diabetes, and type 2 diabetes, which accounts for over 90 percent Trusted Source of diabetes cases. Type 2 diabetes frequently develops as a result of being obese or inactive. Roughly 30 million Americans have diabetes, and about half of them are men.
An estimated 10 percent of men of the age 40 to 70 have severe erectile dysfunction, and another 25 percent have moderate ED. ED tends to be more common as men age, though it isn’t an unavoidable part of aging. For numerous men, other health conditions, similar as diabetes, contribute to the probability of developing erectile dysfunction.
What the investigation says
The Boston University Medical Center reports that about half of men who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes will develop ED within five to 10 years of their diagnosis. However, their odds of getting impotent are indeed higher, If those men also have heart illness.
Still, the results of a 2014 study suggest that if you have diabetes but embrace a healthier life, you may reduce your diabetes symptoms and improve your sexual health. These life habits include eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise.
What causes ED in men with diabetes?
Usually, the connection between erectile dysfunction and diabetes is related to circulation and nervous system. unsatisfactorily controlled blood sugar situations can damage small blood vessels and nerves. Damage to the nerves that control sexual stimulation and response can stymie a man’s capability to achieve an erection hard enough to have sexual intercourse. Reduced blood flow from damaged blood vessels can also contribute to ED.
Risk factors for erectile dysfunction
There are several threat factors that can increase your chance of diabetes complications, including erectile dysfunction. You may be more at threat if you:
- have inadequately managed blood sugar
- are stressed
- have anxiety
- have depression
- eat a poor diet
- aren’t active
- are overweight
- are a smoker
- drink excessive quantities of alcohol
- have unchecked hypertension
- have an abnormal blood lipid profile
- take medications that list ED as a side effect
- take prescription medicines for high blood pressure, pain, or depression
Diagnosing erectile dysfunction
Still, tell your medical professional or make an appointment with a urologist, If you notice a change in the frequency or duration of your erections. It may not be easy to bring up these issues with your medical professional, but unwillingness to do so will only prevent you from getting the help that you need.
Your medical professional can diagnose erectile dysfunction by reviewing your medical history and assessing your symptoms. They will probably perform a physical test to check for possible nerve problems in the penis or testicles. Blood and urine tests can also help diagnose problems similar as diabetes or low testosterone.
They may be suitable to specify medicine, as well as refer you to a healthcare professional specializing in sexual dysfunction. Several treatment options are available for erectile dysfunction. Your medical professional can help you find the best option for you.
Still, but you have been diagnosed with diabetes or heart illness, you should talk over the possibility of a future conclusion with your medical professional, If you haven’t sustained any symptoms of ED. They can help you determine which preventative way you can take right now.
Treating erectile dysfunction
Still, your medical professional will probably recommend an oral drug, similar as sildenafil (Viagra), If you ’re diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. These tradition drugs help improve blood flow to the penis and are generally well- tolerated by utmost men.
Having diabetes shouldn’t intrude with your capability to take one of these drugs. They don’t interact negatively with diabetes medicines, similar as Glucophage (metformin) or insulin.
Although there are other erectile dysfunction treatments, similar as pumps and penile implants, you may want to try an oral drug first. These other treatments generally aren’t as effective and may bring added complications.
Outlook
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that you’ll have for life, though both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be well- controlled through drugs, proper diet, and exercise.
Although erectile dysfunction can become a permanent condition, this generally isn’t the case for men who sustain occasional erectile difficulties .However, you may still be capable to overcome ED through a life that includes sufficient sleep, no smoking, If you have diabetes. ED drugs are generally well- tolerated, and can be used for numerous years to help overcome any ED problems.
How to stave off erectile dysfunction
There are several life changes that you can make to not only help with diabetes handling, but also to lower your threat of ED. You can:
Control your blood sugar through your diet. Eating a diabetes-friendly diet will help you better control your blood sugar situations and lessen the quantity of damage to your blood vessels and nerves. A proper diet geared at keeping your blood sugar situations in check can also enhance your energy situations and mood, both of which can help reduce the threat of erectile dysfunction. You may consider working with a dietitian who’s also a certified diabetes instructor to help adapt your eating style.
Cut back on alcohol consumption. Consuming greater than two drinks in a day can damage your blood vessels which will contribute to ED. Being just mildly intoxicated can also make it hard to achieve an erection and interfere with sexual function.
Stop smoking. Smoking narrows the blood vessels and decreases the degrees of nitric oxide in your blood. This will decrease the blood flow to the penis, worsening erectile dysfunction.
Get active. Not only can adding regular exercise to your routine help you control your blood sugar situations, but it can also enhance circulation, lower stress situations, and enhance your energy situations. Making all of these will help reduce the chances of ED.
Get more sleep. Fatigue is frequently to blame for sexual dysfunction. Ensuring that you get enough sleep each night can lower your threat of ED.
Keep your stress level down. Stress can intrude with sexual arousal and your capability to get an erection. Exercise, meditation, and setting aside time to do the things that you enjoy can help to keep your stress situations down and lessen your threat of ED. However, consult your medical professional, If you ’re developing symptoms of anxiety or depression. They may be suitable to refer you to a therapist who can help you work through anything that’s causing you stress.
The most common ED specified drugs are:
Viagra
Vardenafil
Avanafil