Does Diabetes Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Diabetes is a common condition that has an effect on every organ in the body. The hallmark of diabetes is elevated blood sugar levels, which may negatively impact the nervous system, eyes, heart, feet, kidneys, and even sexual health.
Diabetes and ED impacts male sexual health. Compared to those without diabetes, erectile dysfunction (ED) occurs much more frequently. A patient with diabetes has a 3.5-fold greater risk of having ED than someone without diabetes.
There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when your pancreas does not produce or produces insignificant amounts of insulin. Insulin is what helps your body use sugar as a form of energy. Without insulin sugar cannot get into your cells and builds up in your bloodstream which can cause damage to the body. Type 2 diabetes is often developed in adulthood but can occur at any time and is often related to obesity. Obesity and ED go hand in hand in addition to diabetes. Obesity can cause issues with your circulatory and nervous systems making it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection. Erectile dysfunction in a new relationship, or any relationship, can be incredibly frustrating.
How Diabetes Causes Erectile Dysfunction:
Diabetes leads to the development of ED in the following ways:
Decreased Blood Flow to the Penis: Elevated blood sugar levels cause a narrowing of blood vessels throughout the body, including those that supply blood to the penis. Many patients with diabetes also have high blood pressure, which also contributes to further blood vessel narrowing. In addition, many blood pressure medications can also have ED as a side effect.
Nerve Damage: Long-term diabetes leads to nerve damage that impairs the function of nerves responsible for having an erection. This impairment causes a disruption in the transmission of signals between the brain and the penis, disrupting the natural process of having an erection.
Testosterone Level: Having low testosterone levels also may result in ED, and this is common in those with diabetes. Up to 40% of men with diabetes have lower-than-normal testosterone levels.
Reduced Libido and diabetes – Diabetes can also impact male libido, leading to a decreased interest in sexual activity. Hormonal imbalances caused by diabetes may contribute to this decline in libido. Moreover, the psychological burden of managing diabetes can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression, all of which can dampen sexual desire and make it harder to achieve an erection.
Certain risk factors make diabetes and erectile dysfunction more likely such as obesity. Losing weight can significantly help diabetes related erectile dysfunction. This can be done through a combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Treatment Options for ED
Diabetes and erectile dysfunction are treatable conditions. Diabetes erection issues are often treated with prescription medication such as viagra or cialis. The best ED pill for diabetics can depend on your overall health so be sure to speak with a medical professional when considering ED pills. Prescription ED medication works by boosting the effects of nitric oxide in the body which relaxes the muscles in the penis, increasing blood flow and helping you achieve an erection.
Another erectile dysfunction treatment to consider if you have diabetes erection issues is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). TRT works by supplementing a man’s testosterone levels to bring them back up into a normal range. TRT is administered many ways including by injection, topical creams, or, in infrequent cases, orally. Increasing your testosterone levels boost your sexual health and helps with erectile function. TRT can also assist with boosting your mood, increasing lean muscle, and increasing energy levels
The P Shot for ED is another option for treating erectile dysfunction. The P shot is a method of platelet rich plasma therapy that works using your own plasma. Your plasma is taken and run through a centrifuge to increase the platelets in your plasma. This platelet rich plasma creates growth factors that work to heal penile tissue and blood vessels which can help treat erectile dysfunction. Platelet rich plasma can also assist with hair loss, improved sex drive, and muscle injury recovery.
Finally one more option, often when other methods fail, is penile implants. Penile implants are surgically placed inside the penis to give you the rigidity necessary for an erection. There are two main types of penile implants, inflatable implants and semirigid rods. Inflatable implants work by using a fluid filled reservoir implanted in your abdomen that, when activated, fills cylinders in the penis, giving you an erection. Semi rigid rods work by being bent into an erection. The benefit of both of these is an on-demand erection but penile implants are often used as a treatment when other methods have failed.
Treating Erectile Dysfunction with Alpha Men’s Center
At Alpha Men’s Center, we know that each patient’s journey is different. We are men’s health specialists who are dedicated to providing the most effective and personalized treatment solutions for men with ED and diabetes. A one-size-fits-all approach does not work. You need a treatment plan that is designed for you, not the masses.
With many treatment options available, our highly experienced team is committed to helping you achieve success in restoring intimacy and confidence. We are proud to report an outstanding 96% success rate in men with ED just like you. If you have ED and are seeking help, take the first step toward a brighter future by reaching out to Alpha Men’s Center today.