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There is a fairly common medical condition in men with diabetes that is erectile dysfunction. So why are men with diabetes more prone to erectile dysfunction? Should erectile dysfunction drugs be used for diabetics?
1. The Relationship of Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to get and maintain an erection of the penis long enough for intercourse. Studies show that over 50% of men with diabetes will experience erectile dysfunction. Research also shows that men with diabetes tend to develop erectile dysfunction about 10-15 years earlier than men without diabetes.
Diabetes is on the rise and is one of the most common chronic diseases globally. Besides controlling blood sugar levels to prevent long-term health problems such as kidney and eye damage, nerve pain, and cardiovascular problems, people with diabetes experience other problems. affect their lives more emotionally, for example getting an erection or maintaining a penile erection affects their sex life.
For men, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to an increased risk of erectile dysfunction. Based on data from a survey study, the risk of erectile dysfunction in men with diabetes is 50% higher than in men without diabetes, regardless of type of diabetes. .
Erectile dysfunction that occurs can be related to insufficient blood flow to the penis (due to blood vessels), emotional problems such as depression (psychological) or problems with the yang nerve object (nerve).
So diabetes causes erectile dysfunction because it can damage the blood vessels that supply blood to the penis and the nerves that control an erection. Or, poorly managed diabetes can lead to erectile dysfunction by affecting the blood.
When a man is sexually aroused, a chemical called nitric oxide is released into the bloodstream. This nitric oxide causes the arteries and muscles in the penis to dilate, allowing more blood to flow into the penis. This makes the male penis erect.
Men with diabetes will struggle with blood sugar changes, especially when the condition is not well managed. When men's blood sugar is too high, their bodies make less nitric oxide. This could mean that there is not enough blood flowing into the penis to maintain or make an erection. Low levels of nitric oxide are often found in people with diabetes.
2. Causes of erectile dysfunction in diabetic patients
Damage to blood vessels: High blood sugar in people with diabetes can damage small blood vessels (also known as microvascular disease). This is the main cause of kidney damage, vision loss and nerve pain in diabetic patients. However, damage to the small blood vessels in the penis will also make it harder to get and maintain an erection. That's why erectile dysfunction often gets worse in men with long-standing diabetes that isn't well controlled. Low testosterone levels: Scientists estimate that about 25% of men with diabetes have low testosterone levels. Since testosterone has a big impact on sex drive in men, low testosterone levels can lead to erectile dysfunction. Depression: Many men with diabetes may experience excessive depression or anxiety. Depression can lead to various problems with erections. An example is that lack of sleep results in a loss of the ability to get an erection in the morning, which is a natural occurrence in healthy men. However, anxiety can cause a man to suddenly lose the ability to get an erection during sex. Medication side effects: Many male patients with diabetes are treated with a variety of medications to reduce their risk of heart disease or diabetes complications. Some drugs can also lead to erectile dysfunction by lowering blood pressure or causing other side effects that make it difficult to get an erection. Trauma and surgery: Pelvic trauma or prostate, bowel and bladder surgery can damage nerves to the penis. Damage to these nerves can also cause erectile dysfunction.
3. Control erectile dysfunction when you have diabetes
Some ways can help men manage erectile dysfunction when having diabetes:
Lifestyle changes: Many lifestyle measures not only help lower blood glucose levels but also increase blood sugar levels. and reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction. In clinical studies, better blood sugar control has been shown to improve penile erection and reduce the risk of developing erectile dysfunction. Quit smoking: Smoking increases the risk of erectile dysfunction by raising blood pressure, which over time can damage the small blood vessels in the penis and worse with diabetes, the disease can damage blood vessels. Reduce dietary fat and cholesterol: Men with high cholesterol have a higher risk of erectile dysfunction and changing their diet, limiting saturated fat intake, and adding more fiber may help reduce this risk. Exercise and weight loss: Weight loss is important for patients with diabetes and who are obese or overweight. Some research shows that even a little weight loss can improve erectile function and sex drive in men with diabetes. People who lose weight will have increased testosterone levels and blood flow for better erections. Reduce stress: Diabetes can lead to mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, which can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction. Stress reduction can be done in a variety of ways. Men with erectile dysfunction should schedule time for themselves to relax and get enough sleep each night.
4. Should erectile dysfunction drugs be used for diabetics?
If it is determined that you have erectile dysfunction that is not the result of another health problem, your doctor may prescribe one or more medications to increase blood flow to the penis. Medicines that treat erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis, such as Viagra (Sildenafil).
The doctor can also prescribe direct injection of Alprostadil active ingredient into the penis to cause an erection, or insert the Muse into the urethra 5 - 10 minutes before sexual intercourse and will produce an erection that can be This can last for about 1 hour, but most people just want to use the oral form.
For men with low testosterone levels, testosterone replacement therapy can be used to boost libido and treat erectile dysfunction. However, testosterone therapy has the potential to cause heart problems, while diabetes also increases the risk of heart problems. Therefore, the use of testosterone replacement therapy in diabetic men with erectile dysfunction should be carefully considered.
In general, erectile dysfunction drugs for diabetics can be used to increase sex drive and prolong sex. The use of erectile dysfunction drugs should be directed by a doctor directly, so you should not arbitrarily use to avoid dangerous consequences.
