How To Cope With Erectile Dysfunction If You Have Diabetes?

Diabetes can cause a lot of different complications, but one that might not that be as well-known is erectile dysfunction. Many men go through this issue at some point in their life. Erectile dysfunction is a condition in which patients have an inability to get or maintain an erection that is firm enough for the purposes of intercourse. The good thing is that diabetics can prevent erectile dysfunction by keeping your blood sugar levels under control.

Why are diabetic men more likely to have erectile dysfunction?

Diabetes is a disease in which people have high blood sugar levels. Long-term high blood sugar levels cause damage to nerves and blood vessels all over the body. Unfortunately, the blood vessels that supply blood to the penis are not immune, and uncontrolled diabetes can prevent adequate blood flow to the penis.

Furthermore, diabetes and erectile dysfunction have many shared risk factors

• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking

How do I treat erectile dysfunction?

It can be challenging to treat erectile dysfunction, which can cause you and your partner to become frustrated. However, you can take steps to manage and treat the condition.

Talk to your doctor

Many men find it embarrassing to bring up the topic of erectile dysfunction, but unless you talk about it with your doctor, you are never going to be able to fix it. Your doctor will look into your health history and find reasons (such as diabetes) that might be contributing to your erectile dysfunctions and prescribe medication and other treatments that can help you.

Your doctor will also check your medications to see if erectile dysfunction could be a side effect of any of the medicines you may be on. If so, they can prescribe another medication that might be better suited to you.

Manage your diabetes

You can improve your blood sugar control in several ways if you have diabetes. If you reduce your blood sugar levels and keep them in the normal range, it can prevent further damage to your blood vessels. Ask your doctor if there is anything else you can do to help you manage your condition better.

They will likely recommend the following lifestyle changes:

• Quit smoking. Smoking is associated with a higher risk of erectile dysfunction. Smoking narrows your blood vessels, which can either cause or worsen erectile dysfunction. Quitting smoking can help treat your erectile dysfunction.
• Lose weight. Being obese or overweight can both cause or worsen erectile dysfunction, so if you fall into either of these categories, see if you can shed your extra pounds.
• Start exercising. Exercise can help improve erectile dysfunction by encouraging increased blood flow to your penis. Exercise reduces stress and helps you lose weight, too.
• Limit alcohol. Increased alcohol intake is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. Therefore, if you have erectile dysfunction,  quit drinking alcohol or drink in moderation.

Get counseling

Many men who suffer from erectile dysfunction experience significant anxiety and stress, which can have a negative impact on your relationship and sex life and actually make your condition worse. Talking to a therapist or a psychologist can help you work through the anxiety and stress that accompany erectile dysfunction.

Ask about treatment options

There are several treatments available for erectile dysfunction. Talk to your doctor regarding which ones might be best for you.

Oral medications

There are numerous types of oral medications for erectile dysfunction:

• Sildenafil (Viagra)
• Tadalafil (Cialis, Adcirca)
• Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)
• Avanafil (Stendra)

These can help improve blood flow to your penis, which makes it much easier to maintain an erection. Ask your doctor if this is a safe choice for you.

Other medicines

Other types of medicines can treat erectile dysfunction, too. For example, there is a small suppository that you can put in the tip of your penis before you have sex, which can help you keep an erection. Additionally, there is also a medication you inject into the base or side of your penis that can help.

Vacuum-constriction device

More commonly known as a penis pump or a vacuum pump, a vacuum-constriction device is composed of a hollow tube that goes over your penis. Then, you use the pump to draw the blood into your penis and create/maintain an erection. You put a band at the base of the penis that helps maintain the erection after the tube has been removed. This device is simple and associated with a low risk of problems. There are several different models that you can try.

Penile implants

For patients who don’t have success with a penis pump, a penile implant may help. It is safe and effective for many men with erectile dysfunction.

Conclusion