I am a 55-years-old. I am suffering from diabetes for the past 8 years. A few months back, I noticed that I do not get a strong enough erection. My doctor told me that I am suffering from erectile dysfunction, common in diabetics. Why does this happen?
Like your doctor mentioned, erectile dysfunction (ED) is quite common in people with diabetes. ‘According to statistics upto 60-70% of men having diabetes will experience problems with erection in their lifetime,’ says Dr Rajiv Kovil, consultant diabetologist. The actual causes of ED are a bit complicated for you to understand as they involve overall changes inside the body over the years.
But here’s a simple explanation: Apart from having an intense desire to have sex, you also need to have regulated flow of blood through healthy blood vessels to your sex organ in order to have a strong erection. You need healthy nerves to control erection and healthy levels of reproductive hormones. ‘ED is mostly caused due to hormonal deficiency or problems, nerve-related problems or a block in blood supply to the sexual organ,’ says Dr Kovil. And the most common cause of ED is unhealthy blood vessels. Also, you need to understand that without healthy blood vessels and nerve impulse regulation, ED can occur irrespective of your levels of hormones and sexual desire. Dr Kovil also highlights that the problem of ED in Indian men is worse, primarily because men here are reluctant to discuss their sexual issues with anybody else, even doctors.
There are various other factors that support ED in diabetic men. Primary factors include obesity or being overweight, smoking and lack of exercise. Sometimes, medicines for blood pressure can also add to ED. Stress, low self-esteem, depression and anxiety are also known to lead to ED.
Remember that ED is treatable. So don’t feel shy to discuss treatment options with your doctor.
You may also like to read:
- Top 10 tips for stronger erections that last longer!
- Erectile dysfunction: Causes and treatment
- Unable to satisfy partner due to erectile dysfunction
- Viagra and Erectile Dysfunction
- Can performance anxiety cause erectile dysfunction?
- Is porn giving me erectile dysfunction?
- Sex doubts: Masturbation, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, contraception and more
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