Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes
9 April 2009. Submitted by: ED-Pills
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), fluctuation in hormone and blood sugar levels, depression and nerve damage lead to erectile dysfunction. But lack of awareness from this lesser known diabetes side effect can lead to unnecessary anxiety, embarrassment and fear. 
In 12 percent of men with diabetes, erectile dysfunction is actually the first sign of the disease.
An erection occurs when sexual stimulation causes neurotransmitters to release signals that allow more blood to flow into the penis, getting it to stiffen and enlarge. When nerves or blood vessels are damaged this may block the blood flow and prevent an erection.
In addition to diabetes, diseases that damage nerves and blood vessels include prostate cancer, heart disease and multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and depression can also cause erectile problems, as can diet, alcoholic beverage use, smoking and several drugs.
Erectile dysfunction commonly acquires in men older than 40 who are affected by one of these conditions. Symptoms come gradually and progress with time.
Men with type 1 diabetes are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction at an earlier age, since they've diabetes for a longer time period.
Men who have type 2 diabetes, which usually arises in adulthood, may not feel the erection trouble until later in life. Among men with diabetes, poor management of their illness can also lead to temporary erectile dysfunction.
Diabetes is a leading cause of erectile dysfunction. Many people are reluctant to talk to either their partner or doctor about it but the fact is that in many cases sexual dysfunction can be overcome successfully.
Because there are so many things to discuss during a routine visit, such as lab results and medication effectiveness, few health care team members ask about sexual concerns. Drop a note to your provider ahead of time or ask for more time when scheduling your next appointment. There is no reason to allow your fear of discussing sexual dysfunction take over your life with diabetes.
In study, published in the February 2007 issue of The American Journal of Medicine, researchers from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, set out to learn how common erectile dysfunction is in American men and what the biggest risk factors are for the condition. By studying data from more than 2,100 men who had participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, they found that 18.4 percent of men aged 20 or older had erectile dysfunction. This rate translates to more than 18 million adult men in the United States being affected.
The researchers found that rates of erectile dysfunction much higher in men with diabetes, however more than 50 percent of men with diabetes in the study reported that they were "never able" or "sometimes able" to achieve and maintain an erection. Men with cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke) or cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and smoking, were also at increased risk for erectile dysfunction, as were men who were not very physically active. Increasing age was also strongly tied to risk for the condition.
Another study, published in Issue 1, 2007, of The Cochrane Library journal, reviewed eight previous studies about using drugs to treat erectile dysfunction in men with diabetes. In those studies, the drugs sildenafil (brand name Viagra), vardenafil (brand name Levitra), or tadalafil (brand name Cialis), all in a class known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, were compared to placebo treatment in over 1,700 men with erectile dysfunction, 80 percent of whom had Type 2 diabetes. Most of these studies lasted about 12 weeks.
The review found that the men who had received Viagra showed significant improvements on multiple measures of quality of sexual life when compared with the men who received placebo pills. Men who had received Viagra also more likely to experience mild side effects, such as headache and flushing. The researchers concluded that drugs in this class are "efficient and safe for this specific wide population."
Viagra - just one of many treatment options - people are now beginning to come forward and ask for help. Still, many men may not want to discuss the issue with their partner or doctor, either out of embarrassment or because they're focused on dealing with other symptoms of diabetes. As a result, erectile dysfunction could have a substantial impact on the quality of life of the affected man, his partner and their relationship.
While these news may sound discouraging at first, the study's researchers were quick to comment that steps taken to control diabetes and reduce cardiovascular risk can also help men improve their sexual function. The researchers also stated that diet and lifestyle changes undertaken to manage diabetes and promote heart health can do double duty by lowering a man's chances of developing erectile dysfunction in the first place. The studies have indicated that healthy lifestyle changes as well as certain medicines can help men with diabetes improve their sexual function.
In 12 percent of men with diabetes, erectile dysfunction is actually the first sign of the disease.
An erection occurs when sexual stimulation causes neurotransmitters to release signals that allow more blood to flow into the penis, getting it to stiffen and enlarge. When nerves or blood vessels are damaged this may block the blood flow and prevent an erection.
In addition to diabetes, diseases that damage nerves and blood vessels include prostate cancer, heart disease and multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and depression can also cause erectile problems, as can diet, alcoholic beverage use, smoking and several drugs.
Erectile dysfunction commonly acquires in men older than 40 who are affected by one of these conditions. Symptoms come gradually and progress with time.
Men with type 1 diabetes are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction at an earlier age, since they've diabetes for a longer time period.
Men who have type 2 diabetes, which usually arises in adulthood, may not feel the erection trouble until later in life. Among men with diabetes, poor management of their illness can also lead to temporary erectile dysfunction.
Diabetes is a leading cause of erectile dysfunction. Many people are reluctant to talk to either their partner or doctor about it but the fact is that in many cases sexual dysfunction can be overcome successfully.
Because there are so many things to discuss during a routine visit, such as lab results and medication effectiveness, few health care team members ask about sexual concerns. Drop a note to your provider ahead of time or ask for more time when scheduling your next appointment. There is no reason to allow your fear of discussing sexual dysfunction take over your life with diabetes.
In study, published in the February 2007 issue of The American Journal of Medicine, researchers from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, set out to learn how common erectile dysfunction is in American men and what the biggest risk factors are for the condition. By studying data from more than 2,100 men who had participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, they found that 18.4 percent of men aged 20 or older had erectile dysfunction. This rate translates to more than 18 million adult men in the United States being affected.
The researchers found that rates of erectile dysfunction much higher in men with diabetes, however more than 50 percent of men with diabetes in the study reported that they were "never able" or "sometimes able" to achieve and maintain an erection. Men with cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke) or cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and smoking, were also at increased risk for erectile dysfunction, as were men who were not very physically active. Increasing age was also strongly tied to risk for the condition.
Another study, published in Issue 1, 2007, of The Cochrane Library journal, reviewed eight previous studies about using drugs to treat erectile dysfunction in men with diabetes. In those studies, the drugs sildenafil (brand name Viagra), vardenafil (brand name Levitra), or tadalafil (brand name Cialis), all in a class known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, were compared to placebo treatment in over 1,700 men with erectile dysfunction, 80 percent of whom had Type 2 diabetes. Most of these studies lasted about 12 weeks.
The review found that the men who had received Viagra showed significant improvements on multiple measures of quality of sexual life when compared with the men who received placebo pills. Men who had received Viagra also more likely to experience mild side effects, such as headache and flushing. The researchers concluded that drugs in this class are "efficient and safe for this specific wide population."
Viagra - just one of many treatment options - people are now beginning to come forward and ask for help. Still, many men may not want to discuss the issue with their partner or doctor, either out of embarrassment or because they're focused on dealing with other symptoms of diabetes. As a result, erectile dysfunction could have a substantial impact on the quality of life of the affected man, his partner and their relationship.
While these news may sound discouraging at first, the study's researchers were quick to comment that steps taken to control diabetes and reduce cardiovascular risk can also help men improve their sexual function. The researchers also stated that diet and lifestyle changes undertaken to manage diabetes and promote heart health can do double duty by lowering a man's chances of developing erectile dysfunction in the first place. The studies have indicated that healthy lifestyle changes as well as certain medicines can help men with diabetes improve their sexual function.