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?