Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes: Take Control of Your Sexual Wellbeing

Men with diabetes, particularly those with type 2 diabetes, frequently experience erectile dysfunction, which is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection that is strong enough for sexual intercourse (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Sexual Dysfunction in Diabetes

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Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction may result from inadequate long-term blood sugar regulation, which can harm nerves and blood vessels. Other medical conditions like high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart diseas e prevalent in men with diabetes can also lead to erectile dysfunction. Men with diabetes may experience erectile dysfunction earlier than those without the condition. The diagnosis of diabetes might even come before problems of keeping an erection.

Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction

Many men are apprehensive about talking to their doctors about erectile dysfunction. However, do not allow shame to prevent you from seeking assistance. One brief exchange can have a significant impact. What you should do is:

Inform your doctor about the situation:

Your doctor can provide you with information regarding medication and other erectile dysfunction therapies as well as consider the underlying causes of erectile dysfunction.

Get advice on what you can do to better control your diabetes:

Erectile dysfunction-causing nerve and blood vessel damage can be avoided by controlling blood sugar levels. Additionally, you will feel better. Ask your doctor if you are managing your diabetes in the best possible way.

Inquire about additional health issues:

Men with diabetes frequently have additional chronic illnesses that might contribute to or exacerbate erectile dysfunction. To be sure you are taking care of any additional health issues, consult your doctor.

Examine your prescriptions:

Inquire with your doctor if you are taking any prescription drugs, such as those for high blood pressure or depression that could be worsening your erectile dysfunction. Altering your pharmaceutical regimen might be beneficial.

Consult a counsellor:

Stress and anxiety can exacerbate erectile dysfunction. A detrimental effect of erectile dysfunction on your intimate partner relationship is also possible. You and your partner can establish coping mechanisms with the aid of a psychologist, counsellor, or other mental health professional.

Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction

There are numerous erectile dysfunction therapies available. If any of these sound like a good option for you, consult your doctor.

Oral medications:

Avanafil, tadalafil, sildenafil, and vardenafil are some drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction. These medications can facilitate blood flow to the penis, facilitating the onset and maintenance of an erection. Consult your doctor to find out if one of these drugs is a good choice (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Erectile dysfunction

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Other medicines:

Your doctor might suggest a tiny suppository that you insert into the tip of your penis before sex if pills are not a good option for you. Medication injected into the base or side of your penis is an additional option. These treatments, like oral pharmaceuticals, enhance blood flow, which aids in achieving and maintaining an erection.

Vacuum-constriction device:

It is a hollow tube that you place over your penis. It is also known as a penis pump or a vacuum pump. A pump draws blood into the penis to induce an erection. After the tube is withdrawn, the erection is maintained by a band put at the base of the penis. It is straightforward to use and unlikely to have any issues with this hand- or battery-powered device (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Erectile dysfunction

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If your doctor determines that a vacuum-constriction device is the best treatment course for you, they may suggest or prescribe a particular model.

Penile prostheses:

A surgical penile implant may be a possibility if drugs or a penis pump are ineffective. For many men with erectile dysfunction, semirigid or inflatable penile implants are a safe and effective choice (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Erectile dysfunction

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Lifestyle Choices to Help Treat Erectile Dysfunction

Never undervalue the impact that a few little adjustments can have. To overcome erectile dysfunction and your general health, try these strategies:

Give up smoking:

Your blood vessels become more constricted when you use tobacco, including smoking, which can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction. Nitric oxide, a chemical that tells your body to let blood flow to your penis, is lowered by smoking. Ask for assistance if you’ve tried to stop on your own but were unsuccessful. You can use a variety of methods to stop using tobacco, including drugs (4^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction

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Lose extra weight:

Erectile dysfunction can be brought on by or made worse by being overweight. Put some exercise into your everyday regimen. Exercise can help with underlying issues that contribute to erectile dysfunction in several ways, such as lowering stress levels, assisting with weight loss, and enhancing blood flow (3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
What is erectile dysfunction

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Limit or stop drinking alcohol:

Alcohol abuse can exacerbate erectile dysfunction. If you decide to consume alcohol, do so sparingly. For men over the age of 65, that translates to up to one drink per day, and up to two drinks per day for men under the age of 65 (4^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction

Go to source). Erectile dysfunction can be tough to deal with. You and your partner might experience discouragement and frustration as a result. Take action to manage erectile dysfunction and restart your sexual life.

References:

1. Sexual Dysfunction in Diabetes - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279101/)
2. Erectile dysfunction - (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355782)
3. What is Erectile Dysfunction - (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10035-erectile-dysfunction)
4. Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction - (https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/treatment)

Source-Medindia