Firstmed Blog

Diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels and nerves of the penis or those surrounding it. This can cause erectile dysfunction and impair sexual function in men. However this sort of damage isn’t inevitable. Certain measures can be taken to help prevent erectile dysfunction from occurring or worsening, these include:

* Talking with you doctor: Sexual health is a sensitive subject and initially many men feel embarrassed talking about it. However erectile dysfunction is common in patients suffering from diabetes, and your doctor will not be surprised when you mention the topic. Your doctor may well bring it up first, in fact. However talking to your doctor before the problem occurs can help you prevent or delay erectile dysfunction. It is also important to talk to your doctor as he/she can also help determine if the erectile dysfunction is the result of diabetes or some other condition.
* Controlling your blood sugar: Good Blood sugar control can prevent damage to your nerves and blood vessels and can prevent complications that lead to erectile dysfunction. If you find it difficult to control your blood glucose then talk to a medical professional such as your doctor about refining your treatment strategy.
* Reduce you Cardiovascular disease risk: Men who suffer from diabetes and cardiovascular disease such as heart disease or hypertension (high blood pressure), face an even greater risk of developing erectile dysfunction because of the added damage to the blood vessels. If you reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, or control your existing conditions you can reduce your chances of developing erectile dysfunction.
* Avoid tobacco: Smoking and other tobacco use can cause blood vessels to narrow, contributing to blockages that can lead to erectile dysfunction. Smoking also can decrease nitric oxide levels.
* Avoid Too much Alcohol: Consuming large quantities of alcohol can lead to erectile dysfunction by causing damage blood vessels. In general this means no more than two alcoholic drinks a day for men, and for women, no more than one.
* Get Mental Health treatment: Stress, anxiety and depression can cause erectile dysfunction. The fear of having erectile problems can make them worse. Talk to your doctor to see if these issues are playing a role in your erectile dysfunction. Treatment with a mental health professional might help.
* See a urologist: Urologists have special expertise in sexual health. They can help assess your condition, determine its cause and identify safe and effective treatments. Treatments may include vacuum devices that use pressure to draw blood into the penis, medications — for example Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis) and Vardenafil (Levitra) — or surgery.

Knowing more about how diabetes-related complications can lead to erectile dysfunction may help you take measures to avoid the condition or prevent it from worsening.