Sexual Dysfunction
| Author: Judy Kohn, RN, BSN, CDE |
| Last Updated: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 |
Q: "I understand that my type 2 diabetes may be the cause of my impotence. I am a 70 year old male, and even though I have my diabetes under control, my impotence persists. Is this going to be a way of life for me the rest of my life?"
A: According to Clinical Diabetes, 2001, pp.45-47, Erectile Dysfunction (ED) affects 35-75% of men with diabetes, compared to 26% in the general population, and it occurs 10-15 years earlier in men with diabetes. Yet this journal described ED as "an under-recognized, under-discussed, and commonly untreated complication of diabetes-but it is also one of the most treatable diabetic complications." So while it is possible that your problems are related to diabetes, it is also possible that they are not; regardless, it is extremely important that you talk to your physician so you can be properly diagnosed and treated.
Causes:
Although you have your diabetes in control, unfortunately many people have had undiagnosed diabetes for years, and those years of elevated blood glucose can cause complications. Prolonged elevated blood glucose can damage your nerves and blood vessels.
Contributing factors also may include certain medications, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, alcohol, recent poorly controlled diabetes, and smoking, as well as psychological factors. While it is true that sometimes ED is irreversible, I do not want you to worry unnecessarily since there can be other causes (as well as treatments) for your ED.
Diagnosis:
It is impossible for me to diagnose the cause or predict the outcome, as you need to have certain blood tests and exams for your doctor to make this determination. Such tests might include checking your testosterone level and pituitary function, as well as exams to determine the status of your nerve and blood supply.
Treatments:
Treatments of course are based on the cause, but they may include: oral medications, mechanical methods, local therapies, and surgical methods.
Talk To Your Doctor:
Please contact your doctor to discuss this issue. You might be referred to a urologist for further evaluation. Here are some helpful links that will provide additional detailed information.
Related Questions
Causes of Complications
Q:
"If you follow a strict meal plan, how likely is it that you will develop
diabetic complications? If you don't follow a meal plan closely, how likely is
it that you will you develop diabetic complicati..."
Related Links
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
http://www.diabetes.org
Joslin Diabetes Center
http://www.joslin.org
Diabetes Self-Management
http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com
Important Notice: The responses provided by the team of Diabetes Educators are based on their personal experiences and expertise as practicing diabetes healthcare professionals, and are not to be considered diabetes management advice from Abbott Laboratories. Remember that information provided by the team of Diabetes Educators is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.
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