How Does Diabetes Affect a Man Sexually?
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They carefully examine all references and facts to provide up-to-date and reliable information, aiming to break myths and empower you in your health journey.
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Dr. Vidya Jaydeep Walinjkar
Dr. Vidya Walinjkar has 14 yrs of experience as a diabetologist and physician. She currently works as a Consulting Diabetologist and Program Consultant for Type 2 diabetes members at Fitterfly.
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Many men in their 30s are completely unaware that diabetes can majorly impact their sexual wellness. Poor blood sugar control, not keeping weight under check and taking too much stress during these years can lead to sexual health problems by the time they turn 35.
Whatsapp GroupAs a result, problems like erectile dysfunction is quite common among men with diabetes. The first step to solve this problem is to understand the Why’s and How’s of Diabetes-linked sexual health problems.
This blog will explain how diabetes affects men’s sexual health and our expert’s tips to help you maintain a healthy sex life and manage diabetes effectively.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man has difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection. While many factors can cause ED, diabetes is a common cause.
- High blood sugar levels from diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves, leading to poor blood flow.
- This can also result in a reduced sexual drive (libido).
- ED can be a short-term issue or a long-lasting problem.
Now, let’s take a look at how specifically diabetes causes erectile dysfunction.
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How Diabetes Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
Diabetes can lead to erectile dysfunction due to various causes, some of them are:
- Nerve Damage (Neuropathy): High blood sugar levels can damage the nerves that control sexual stimulation and response.
- Blood Vessel Damage: Diabetes can cause the blood vessels in your body to narrow and harden, reducing blood flow to the penis, which is essential for an erection.
- Hormonal Changes: Diabetes can affect hormone levels, including testosterone, which is important in sexual arousal.
- Endocrine Problems: Diabetes can be associated with other endocrine issues like hypothyroidism, which can disturb hormonal balance and sexual functioning, causing erectile dysfunction.
What are the Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction?
If you have erectile dysfunction, you should look for the below symptoms:
- Difficulty achieving an erection
- Not able to maintain an erection during sexual activity
- Reduced sexual desire or libido
Recognizing these symptoms of sexual problems will help you take control of your sexual health and manage your diabetes effectively.
What are the Risk Factors?
Several factors can increase the risk of sexual problems in men with diabetes; some of the primary and common risk factors are:
- Poor Blood Sugar Control: If your blood sugar levels are often too high, it can cause damage to your nerves and blood vessels.
- High Blood Pressure: This can affect blood flow, making it difficult to get an erection.
- High Cholesterol: Like high blood pressure, this too can block blood flow, especially to your penis.
- Obesity: Being overweight adds more complications to diabetes, which also affects your sexual health.
- Stress: Considering our busy lifestyles, it’s understandable to have some stress. However, However, being constantly stressed can badly affect your sexual health and overall well-being.
- Smoking & Alcohol Consumption: Both these vices not only harm your sexual health but affect diabetes and overall health badly.
- Lack of Exercise: Having a sedentary lifestyle and sitting for prolonged hours makes your body inactive and hence, affects metabolism by making lesser blood supply to your penis.
Some of you might be wondering if taking diabetes medication can affect your sex life. Here is a video featuring our expert, Dr. Manthan Mehta (Program Head – Hypertension & Heart Health), discussing how to manage sexual problems while taking diabetes medication.
How to Diagnose Sexual Problems in Men with Diabetes?
If you’re having sexual problems, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can help you to diagnose erectile dysfunction by examining and investigating your medical history.
They might do some tests to check your blood sugar levels and overall health.
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Can Sexual Problems in Men with Diabetes be Prevented?
The first thing you need to do when you learn about erectile dysfunction is to consult with your doctor, diabetologist, or endocrinologist.
Your doctor may also refer you to specialists such as urologists or andrologists.
Besides this, there are several ways by which you can prevent sexual problems caused by diabetes:
- Control Blood Sugar & Diabetes: Keeping your blood sugar levels in check is important, as it is the root cause of this issue. Follow your doctor’s advice on diet, exercise, and medication. It should be like following a daily routine as you do brushing, bathing etc.
- Healthy Lifestyle: Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol.
- Medications: Some medicines can help with ED. Your doctor can prescribe the right one for you.
- Counseling: Talking to a Mental Wellness Expert can help if stress, anxiety, or depression is affecting your sex life.
At Fitterfly, our Success Coaches are trained in a broad range of mental wellness issues, like uncontrolled cravings, sleep disturbances, diabetes distress, and many more, including stress due to sexual problems.
You can consult with one of our expert coaches and choose from various consultation packages, whether it’s a single one-hour session or a bundle of 3, 5, or 10 consultations.
Our Success Coaches offer completely confidential, personalized, one-on-one support, addressing every aspect of your personal, professional, and social life that affects your health.
Here is a video from our expert, Dr. Manthan Mehta (Program Head – Hypertension & Heart Health), discussing the importance of safe sex practices for people with diabetes.
He talks about how sexual problems in diabetes can impact sexual health and provides essential guidance to ensure a healthy and fulfilling sex life.
How We At Fitterfly Can Help You?
If you feel hesitant to talk about your sexual health, worry not. Our expert Success Coaches provide comprehensive support to help you manage diabetes and its complications, including improving your sexual well-being.
As mentioned earlier, we have special packages just to address stress and mental wellness-related issues arising due to any problem (including sexual issues like erectile dysfunction or any other sexual problems in men).
You can speak openly with us about your symptoms and expert complete solutions, especially those that may feel sensitive or embarrassing. We’re here to help, not to judge.
All you need to do is give us a missed call at 08069450746 or check out Fitterfly’s Diabetes Prime Program and choose according to your needs.
This blog provides general information for educational and informational purposes only and shouldn't be seen as professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can diabetes be transmitted sexually?
No, diabetes is not a sexually transmitted disease. It is a metabolic disorder that results from either the body's inability to produce insulin (type 1 diabetes) or the body's cells not responding properly to insulin (type 2 diabetes).
What is the fastest way to cure erectile dysfunction?
The way to address erectile dysfunction (ED) involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy. Consulting your doctor to determine the underlying cause is important along with managing any underlying health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure which may take time.
How diabetes affect sexual health in men?
Yes, diabetes can affect the sexual health in men. It can lead to issues such as erectile dysfunction, reduced blood flow, and nerve damage, all of which can impact sexual function.
Does diabetes reduce sperm quality?
Yes, diabetes can affect sperm quality, and overall sperm count, potentially impacting fertility.
Can type 2 diabetes affect sperm count?
Yes, type 2 diabetes can affect sperm count. High blood sugar levels and related complications can lead to a reduction in both the quantity and quality of sperm.
How to improve sperm health in diabetes?
Improving sperm quality in diabetes involves making dietary and lifestyle changes. Eat a balanced diet with lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains while avoiding processed foods and sugars. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing blood sugar levels are also essential.
Do people with diabetes have a hard time ejaculating?
Men with diabetes may experience difficulty in ejaculation due to nerve damage and reduced blood flow affecting their genitals. They may also experience retrograde or premature ejaculation.
