Diabetes is known as one of the most common debilitating diseases in the world. According to the IDF Diabetes Atlas, one in ten people have some form of diabetes. If left unchecked, the disease can lead to a host of health complications such as cardiovascular and kidney diseases.
Diabetes is an even bigger problem for men. It’s a well-known fact that men are twice as likely to get diabetes as women. Aside from the health complications, diabetes can also cause erectile dysfunction. This one-two combination can be difficult can severely damage a man’s performance in bed, as well as his overall self-confidence.
How Does Diabetes Lead to ED?
There are several possible reasons why diabetes can lead to erectile dysfunction, as enumerated below.
1. Blood Vessel Damage – Diabetes can lead to atherosclerosis or the buildup of fatty deposits in the blood vessels. This can happen in the blood vessels found in the penis, which means getting enough blood flow to maintain an erection could be difficult.
2. Nerve Damage – Another known effect of diabetes is nerve damage or neuropathy. Neuropathy in the nerves that trigger a sexual stimulus may have been damaged. If that happens, it might be difficult for someone with diabetes to maintain that feeling of arousal.
3. Hormonal Imbalance – Diabetes also has a negative effect on the body’s ability to produce testosterone, the hormone most associated with sexual drive. A patient with diabetes could have trouble getting in the mood for sex.
4. Medication Side Effect – It’s common for patients with diabetes to take drugs for hypertension. This, among other types of drugs taken regularly, has an indirect effect of limiting the blood pressure in the penis needed to get an erection.
The Mental Burden of Dealing with Diabetes
Aside from the physiological effects of diabetes, the mental stress of dealing with the disease can also have the following consequences for men.
1. Stress and Anxiety – Just the thought of living with a chronic condition like a diabetes can put a huge toll on a man’s mental health. This can indirectly cause a man suffering from diabetes to feel too stressed to perform well in bed.
2. Depression – A more long-term effect of the previous reason, a depressed man will understandably have lower sex drive, making it more difficult for him to maintain an erection.
4. Low Self-esteem – Diabetes can cause physical changes to the body such as darkened patches of skin, slow-healing wounds and blisters, and uncontrolled weight gain. These effects can severely damage a person’s self-esteem, which is a well-known factor that can cause erectile dysfunction.
How to Manage ED Linked to Diabetes
Managing ED on its own is hard, let alone ED linked to a debilitating disease. That said, there are several things that a man can do to make things more manageable. Here are some of the things one can do to alleviate ED and Diabetes at the same time.
1. Blood Sugar Control – Perhaps the most important part of diabetes management. By having better control over one’s sugar intake, it’s possible to slow down the progression of complications caused by diabetes, including ED.
2. Diet Changes – Aside from cutting down one’s sugar intake, someone with ED and Diabetes must pay more attention to their diet. For example, switching to high-fiber foods such as legumes and oats helps improve blood sugar level regulation, while food rich in omega 3 is helpful for one’s cardiovascular health.
3. Lifestyle Changes – It’s normal for people suffering from depression caused by diabetes or ED to resort to vices such as smoking or substance abuse as a coping mechanism. However, avoiding these pitfalls should be a high priority, as their long-term effects can aggravate existing issues.
4. Improved Communication – Whether it’s due to machismo or a sense of embarrassment, it’s common for men to keep problems to themselves. Being more open about one’s struggles with diabetes and ED not only helps them get much-needed assistance, but also opens up more lifestyle alternatives and treatment options to help make their disease more manageable.
5. Proper Medication and Therapy – Because of the nature of diabetes and ED, proper medication and therapy may be the difference between barely managing the disease and living almost unhampered by them. Consulting certified experts makes it easier to think of measure to alleviate the problems of diabetes and ED and ensures continuous support over the years.
Conclusion
Dealing with erectile dysfunction and diabetes can be one of the greatest struggles that a man will endure, but it’s important to know that it is a manageable condition. By making the right lifestyle changes, proper medication, and support from both professionals and loved ones, it is possible to have a life largely unhampered by these two issues.
If you or someone you know are looking for a way to deal with ED and PE, feel free to get in touch with us. Our team of experts can provide customised treatment plans tailored to each person’s unique needs and circumstances. Click here to schedule a free consultation.
