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Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction: Everything You Need to Know

Your penis is a complicated organ. Sometimes it works the way you want, other times it lets you down. Erectile dysfunction is a common issue that can be affected by your age, medications, low testosterone, mental health, and more. But one risk factor has a particularly strong correlation with ED: diabetes.

According to the International Journal of Impotence Research, approximately 6 in 10 men with diabetes have varying degrees of erectile dysfunction. In the past, ED was sometimes a neglected complication of diabetes. But the increased prevalence of both conditions has led to more people speaking out and seeking treatment.

If you or your partner is struggling with diabetes-related ED or wants to stay ahead of the curve, you’re in the right place. This article explains how diabetes impacts erectile function and what you can do to achieve a more satisfying sex life, even with diabetes

The Link Between Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction

Diabetes mellitus (or simply diabetes) affects more than 34 million people in the US, according to the American Diabetes Association. This chronic condition affects how the body regulates blood sugar levels. There are two varieties:

Type 1 diabetes: a genetic disorder that affects the production of insulin, a hormone that helps glucose enter cells where it’s converted to energy

Type 2 diabetes: a condition often caused by poor diet and lack of exercise

Both varieties are associated with an increased risk of ED, but since there’s more research around type 2 diabetes, we’ll focus on that.

Several factors can lead to type 2 diabetes, including obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and physical inactivity. These are also risk factors for ED, so it makes sense that diabetes and ED often coincide. One study determined that diabetic men were over three times more likely to have ED than men without diabetes. Additionally, diabetic men tend to develop ED 10-15 years earlier than nondiabetic men.

So, what exactly do diabetic complications have to do with your ability to get an erection?

How Does Diabetes Affect Sexual Function?

To understand how diabetes increases the risk of ED, you need to know the science behind boners. A penile erection is a “hemodynamic event,” which is a fancy way of saying it depends on blood flow. When you get sexually aroused, your penis releases nitric oxide, which relaxes the muscles and arteries in your penis so it can get hard. However, many of the conditions contributing to diabetes can damage the arteries and nerves essential for erections. These include:

  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • High cholesterol
  • Nerve damage (neuropathy)
  • Heart disease
  • Sleep apnea

Additionally, diabetes can lead to dangerously high levels of blood sugar. Left untreated, this may damage your blood vessels and prevent your penis from getting enough blood to achieve an erection.

How to Treat ED If You Have Diabetes

Taking control of your sexual health can be challenging for guys with diabetes, but you can regain your confidence with the proper care. Here are some treatment options to get your sex life back on track.

Stabilize Your Blood Sugar

“First and foremost, it’s imperative that you keep your blood sugar levels in check,” says Robert Cornell, MD, a Houston-based urologist. “This means working with your doctor, understanding the numbers, and taking insulin or oral diabetes medication when needed.”

Practice Healthy Habits

There isn’t a cure for diabetes, but there’s plenty you can do on your own to minimize the impact.

Obesity is the leading risk factor for diabetes, so it’s important to prioritize weight loss by—you guessed it—lowering your calorie intake and exercising. But don’t take our word for it. Using a treadmill test, researchers found that guys with greater fitness had a 39% lower risk of ED.`

Check Your Medications

Talk to your doctor about any medications you take to manage your diabetes or other health conditions. Certain blood pressure medications and antidepressant medications (like SSRIs) have been linked to erectile dysfunction.

Consider ED Medications

Prescription medications can be a huge help for guys struggling with ED, whether or not diabetes is a factor. The most common ED treatments are phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which relaxes the vascular tissue in the penis so blood can flow more easily.

Here are three of the most common PDE5 inhibitors:

  • Sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra)
  • Tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis)
  • Vardenafil (the active ingredient in Levitra)

These are oral medications that can be taken in pill form. However, BlueChew offers chewable tablets that contain Sildenafil and Tadalafil, so you don’t have to carry a bottle of pills (or a bottle of water) to get the treatment you need.

Do ED Medications Work for Men with Diabetes?

Research shows that prescription ED medications—specifically Sildenafil—can help men with diabetes get erections hard enough for sexual intercourse.

In a study of 252 diabetic men who took Sildenafil as needed for 12 weeks, 56% said their erections improved compared to 10% who took a placebo. Further, 61% reported having at least one successful attempt at sexual intercourse.

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These results are promising, but always remember to consult your doctor before taking an ED medication, as they may have interactions with other drugs you take (particularly ones that treat cardiovascular issues).

Diabetes Isn’t the End of Your Sex Life

As you can see, diabetes is notorious for causing trouble in the bedroom. But that doesn’t mean you and your partner can’t have a satisfying sex life. Talking to your doctor, adopting healthy habits, and using ED medications as needed can give you the confidence you need.

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BlueChew’s tablets offer a convenient, safe solution for men suffering from any form of ED. Thanks to both advances in medicine and our unique technology, men who take advantage of our service are able to prepare for intimacy anywhere, anytime, without leaving the comforts of their own home. The BlueChew service offers men assurance that they will be ready for their partners without the stress and anxiety.

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