Diabetes dysfunction is a condition that can cause difficulty with penile erections in men with diabetes. Erectile dysfunction with diabetes can be extremely frustrating for you and your partner. Many men feel embarrassed to discuss erectile dysfunction in diabetes with their physician. It is important for you to know that many men with diabetes suffer from erectile dysfunction, and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. A conversation with your physician can get you on the road to recovery or treatment regarding erectile dysfunction.
Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction: What Causes this Condition?
You and your partner may be wondering, “How does diabetes cause erectile dysfunction?” Erectile dysfunction from diabetes can be caused when diabetes, specifically blood sugar, is not well controlled. Poorly controlled or uncontrolled blood sugar can cause nerve damage and vascular damage over time. This can lead to erectile dysfunction. Other conditions that can complicate erectile dysfunction due to diabetes are high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Endothelial Dysfunction in Diabetes
According to the ADA (American Diabetes Association), vascular endothelial cells are necessary to maintain cardiovascular health. The endothelial cells provide a barrier between the lumen and vessel walls. The endothelium also secretes a fluid that assists in regulating vascular tone, platelet aggregation, coagulation and fibrinolysis. When the endothelium loses its properties and is unable to function properly, it is termed “endothelial dysfunction.”
Endothelial dysfunction appears to be common in patients with diabetes, according to the ADA. This seems to occur because good circulation is needed to repair the vascular endothelial cells. Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) causes a decrease in circulation, which in turn can cause endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction can be one of the predicating factors of erectile dysfunction.
Erectile Dysfunction Diabetes Treatment
Diabetes erectile dysfunction treatment has many options. It is important to start by speaking with your physician about your symptoms. Your physician can help you determine the cause of your erectile dysfunction. If you suffer from erectile dysfunction and diabetes, it is important to make sure your diabetes is being controlled well. Your physician can help you determine what can be done to control diabetes more effectively. Your physician will also want to look at other mitigating conditions that could be affecting erectile dysfunction.
There are several options available to help control erectile dysfunction. Some of these options include oral medications, herbal treatments, penile implants, penile injections, and penis pumps.
The oral medications and the penile injections can help increase circulation to the penis to assist in obtaining and sustaining an erection sufficient to participate in intercourse.
If oral medications do not seem to be effective, there are also small suppositories that can be placed inside the tip of the penis. The suppository should be placed just before starting intercourse to assist with erection.
There are also medications that can be injected into the base of the penis to increase blood flow to the penis. As with the oral medications, this helps with getting and maintaining an erection.
There are also several herbal supplements that can be taken to assist with circulation and to help control blood sugar. It is important to consult your physician or a diabetes specialist before adding any new supplements to your daily regimen.
The penis pump is a hollow tube device that uses vacuum suction to increase blood flow to the penis. These devices are either hand operated or battery powered. If you would like to try this option, consult your physician and get a prescription for a reputable model. It is best to get this device from a reputable company, not from a magazine or sex store.
The penile implant is placed surgically. This device is either semi-rigid to begin with or it is inflatable. This can be a good choice for men with erectile dysfunction who do not have success with other methods or who prefer not to take medications.
As with any condition, it is important to speak with your physician about your symptoms and the best possible treatment plans for you. It is possible to overcome diabetes dysfunction, and have a normal and healthy sex life.
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