Research suggests that men with type 2 diabetes are more than three times as likely to have erectile dysfunction (ED) as men without type 2 diabetes.
ED, which is defined as the inability to get or maintain an erection during sex, is a common complication of diabetes.
“Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common sexual dysfunction in men, including those with diabetes,” says Sharon J. Parish, MD, a professor of medicine who specializes in sexual medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.
And, while ED becomes more likely in older age, men with diabetes tend to get ED 10 to 15 years earlier than men without diabetes.
Testosterone not only plays a role in libido but also in getting and maintaining an erection. When testosterone levels drop, men with and without diabetes often develop ED.
But diabetes increases the risk of other complications that can contribute to ED.
For example, diabetes can accelerate the buildup of plaque in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis.
This causes the arteries to become narrower, which reduces blood flow to the penis and makes it more difficult to achieve and maintain an erection, says Houman.
In addition, some medications used by people with diabetes to treat related conditions can hinder erectile function, including beta-blockers, a class of high blood pressure drugs.
Antidepressants, which are prescribed to many people with chronic conditions, also are linked to ED, says Houman.
Beyond those health and medication issues, other conditions may cause or contribute to erectile dysfunction, such as alcohol or drug abuse, smoking, and vascular disease.
A healthcare provider can help you get to the root cause.
Treatments for ED
For men with diabetes, there’s a significant ED remedy at hand: better blood sugar control. If your ED is ultimately caused by hyperglycemia, your complications can be lessened or reversed if you can keep your blood sugar in a healthy range.
- avanafil (Stendra)
- sildenafil (Viagra)
- tadalafil (Cialis)
- vardenafil
If oral medication is ineffective or not tolerated, there are other options, including a medication called alprostadil that is either injected or inserted into the penis, as well as penis pumps or penile implants.
