How To Overcome Erectile Dysfunction With Diabetes

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is a common condition affecting many Australian men. While ED can occur at any age during adulthood, it’s generally more prevalent in older males. There are numerous reasons why a man can develop erectile dysfunction, and the cause of ED could be physiological or psychological. 

While psychological issues can affect a man’s ability to achieve and sustain an erection, physical reasons for ED are more the norm.

One chronic physiological condition that can sometimes result in a man experiencing erection problems is diabetes. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at diabetes in relation to ED and erectile dysfunction treatment.

Table of Contents

• How Diabetes Can Lead To Developing ED
• Start With Maintaining a Well-Balanced Diet
• Your Urologist May Prescribe Oral Medication
• Penile Injection Therapy
• Penile Prosthetic Surgery May Be Prescribed
• Vacuum Constriction Device (Penis Pump)
• The Takeaway

How Diabetes Can Lead To Developing ED

It’s claimed that men living with diabetes are three times more likely to develop erectile dysfunction. There is several contributing factors, such as high blood sugar levels, high blood pressure and too much cholesterol in the blood. While all of these can be related to males without diabetes, people with diabetes are more prone.

High sugar levels in the blood over some time can cause damage to blood vessels and nerves, including those located in and around the penis. It can lead to a restriction of blood flow to the penis.

Eating a poor diet while living with diabetes can also lead to developing erection problems.

If you have diabetes and have some issues downstairs, the best course of action is to book an appointment to see a urologist. Let’s discover some treatment options for ED that may be caused by diabetes.

Start With Maintaining a Well-Balanced Diet

Regardless of ED concerns, men with diabetes need to monitor what they eat and how much. If you want to avoid developing an ED issue, your diet becomes even more important. Also regularly monitor your blood sugar levels to maintain a normal range.

Combining a balanced and healthy diet with regular exercise will also help to prevent diabetics from developing ED as a result of their condition. Try and maintain your ideal weight, get plenty of sleep, and take vitamin supplements if you feel you lack certain nutrients.

Your Urologist May Prescribe Oral Medication

After an examination and assessment of both your diabetes and ED have been made by your urologist, your healthcare professional may decide to resolve your erectile dysfunction problem with oral medication.

Viagra, Cialis and Levitra are the three most commonly used oral medications that you may be prescribed to help resolve your ED issues.

Penile Injection Therapy

Rather than taking medications orally, with penile injection therapy, medication is injected directly into the penis. Don’t worry. It’s not as scary as it sounds. The needle is very small and fine and medication is administered into the less-sensitive base of the penis. After the medication has been delivered, an erection usually results in five to twenty minutes.

Penile injection therapy needs to be performed regularly, with the medication being administered by the patient.

Penile Prosthetic Surgery May Be Prescribed

In this minor surgical procedure, a prosthesis is surgically implanted into the penis. This implant has three components. Inflatable tubes are implanted into the penis, a small reservoir containing hydraulic fluid and a small pump hidden beneath the scrotum. To initiate an erection just before having sex, the patient presses down on the scrotum pump, which then forces hydraulic fluid into the penile implants, making the penis stand tall and firm.

It’s often colloquially referred to as an “erection on demand” technique for resolving ED issues and is suitable for patients with major ED problems that can’t be resolved through meds.

Vacuum Constriction Device (Penis Pump)

With this method, a penis pump is placed on the penis. Once activated, the pump creates a vacuum on the penis. This encourages the penis to engorge with blood and fill the erectile cells within. The blood is trapped in the base of the penis after a full erection is achieved by placing a band around it.

The Takeaway

If you have diabetes and ED issues, there are solutions available. The best thing to do is book an appointment with a urologist to discuss your problem, and you can then work on a solution together.