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Unless archeologists magically stumble upon the Fountain of Youth, you—and the rest of humanity, for that matter—will have to get used to growing old. And it’s no grand revelation that aging leads to the development of life-threatening and degenerative illnesses.
These illnesses can encompass a variety of different diseases, both chronic and terminal. Among the most common degenerative diseases associated with aging are diabetes and erectile dysfunction.
Diabetes is an illness that causes the body to produce unnaturally high blood sugar levels. It can range from being something that needs to be managed with medication to being fatal and needing medical intervention like surgery, depending on how much your blood sugar becomes elevated.
Erectile dysfunction, otherwise known as ED, is usually associated with older men. It occurs when the male is unable to maintain or attain an erection long enough for sexual intercourse. The cause of ED can be from psychological phenomena to physiological problems, such as those associated with diabetes.
While these two may appear to be two distinct medical problems, the truth is that they are far more intimately linked than you realize.
In this article, we will discuss the relationship between diabetes and sexual dysfunction and how to manage and treat these conditions.
Diabetes and ED: Does Diabetes Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Before we get into the connection diabetes has with ED, it’s important to highlight the fact that having diabetes already puts men at a heightened risk of developing a wide range of other major health diseases.
When diabetes isn’t properly managed, it can lead to a number of health problems, including:
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Vision loss
- Kidney failure
- Amputation of the lower limbs (leg, toe, foot)
If worse comes to worst, it’s not impossible to succumb to diabetes if it progresses to its later stages. Being the 8th leading cause of death in the US, this disease isn’t something to take lightly. (Contact a doctor if you suspect any problems in your health before it’s too late.)
There’s no denying the consequences of mismanaging diabetes.
And, unfortunately, there is no bright light in its relationship to erectile dysfunction either.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes is linked to three times the incidence of erectile dysfunction or impotence in men.
In addition, if you’re under 45, you may be more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes compared to other types. With 1 in 10 Americans having the disease, both young and old, there’s no question about its widespread prevalence in the country.
This is not only problematic for men who are comparatively older than the rest of the population, but it can also pose problems to men with diabetes who are at their peak sexually.
Early signs of diabetes can be hard to spot. Visit a doctor to get a thorough checkup and diagnosis.
Diabetes and Sex: Common Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms
Contrary to popular belief, erectile dysfunction doesn’t just mean an inhibition of sexual desire. People with ED canstill entertain the idea of having sexual intercourse, but the problem lies in their inability to keep or achieve an erection.
When an impotence issue comes to fruition, it can stem from multiple risk factors, ranging from physical, psychological, and physiological.
Some of the symptoms include:
- Loss of sex drive
- Difficulty in achieving erections during sexual intercourse
- Low libido
It’s not entirely impossible for men who are experiencing mild forms of ED to resolve their conditions with non-pharmaceutical treatment. Because many cases occur due to mental inhibitions, speaking to a sexual health therapist about your problems may be helpful.
If your erectile dysfunction is rooted in physical health complications, it may be best to talk to a medical doctor that specializes in sexual health.
How Diabetes Affects Sexual Health
About half of men who have type 2 diabetes will most likely develop erectile dysfunction within 10 years, astudy from Boston University School of Medicine claims.
When diabetes complications aren’t controlled, blood vessels are more likely to be damaged due to high sugar levels in the body.
The blood vessels and nerves are essential elements that affect a man’s ability to achieve and maintain an erection, and having reduced blood flow in the penis can contribute to worsening erectile dysfunction.
ED Treatment Options for Men with Diabetes
A lot of men feel ashamed to visit a qualified doctor for their erectile dysfunction treatment because they find it to be an embarrassing condition. However, keeping these issues concealed is only delaying treatment to increase blood flow, leaving you susceptible to more invasive treatment options later on.
There’s no better time to take control of your health than today. Fortunately, there are many ED treatments available that can help men to overcome this condition easily.
Here are some treatment options you may consider to improve erectile function.
1. Make Positive Lifestyle Changes
There’s no better way to reclaim your health than by actively taking steps to improve it. Make positive lifestyle changes that can help improve your quality of life, including:
- Quitting smoking (cigarettes and other tobacco products)
- Keeping your high blood pressure under control
- Staying active throughout the day by doing regular exercise
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Removing sugar from your diet and eating foods that help you stay erect
2. Medical ED Therapy
While many men turn to ED pills such as Viagra or Cialis, there are serious side effects to using these medications that may interfere with the medications you have for other aspects of your health. Prescription pills treat the symptoms of dysfunction, but rarely resolve the true causes of ED.
A longer term solution is to consult a medical doctor specializing in erectile dysfunction who will perform a diagnosis to determine the underlying causes of sexual dysfunction, then prepare a customized treatment plan that is specific to your unique scenario.
3. Surgical Penile Implants
For extremely severe cases of ED, there are penile implants that may help men achieve erections.
These methods require major surgery to implant or attach these devices in the penis, which will increase blood flow to achieve an erection.
The majority of instances of erectile dysfunction will not require penile implants, but consult a medical professional to discuss your specific situation.
Consult a Leading ED Clinic in Cincinnati for a Diagnosis and Long-Term Treatment Options
Diabetes and erectile dysfunction often go hand-in-hand as one of the major health problems men face in their later years.
In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it’s important that you take care of your physical and mental well-being.
Fortunately, there are many ED treatments available, and patients can recover and achieve full sexual function again.
If you’re having issues with erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation (PE), reclaim your sex life and call the team at Proactive Men’s Medical Center in Cincinnati now to schedule an appointment to have a consultation with their experienced and specially trained medical staff. We are one of Ohio’s leading men’s clinics providing treatments for erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation therapy, Acoustic Wave therapy, hormone therapy, and much more.
