Diabetes is a Risk Factor for Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
HelenComments Off on Diabetes is a Risk Factor for Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Diabetes. Is there anything it doesn?t mess with in your body? As if the rest of the symptoms of diabetes wasn?t enough, did it have to go and mess with your sex life too? Of course it did. Sigh.
Diabetes is one of those diseases that has the ability to wreak havoc on your body in a staggering amount of ways.
Types of diabetes
There are two forms of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that is with you for life, is controlled by taking insulin, and is generally diagnosed when you?re a kid. Type 2 diabetes is acquired later in life and is treated by other medications. Both types of diabetes can unfortunately attribute to an enhanced risk of erectile dysfunction.
Diabetes and erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction or ED, is characterised by an inability to obtain or maintain an erection long enough to have satisfying intercourse with a partner.
Erectile dysfunction is in a range of other sexual symptoms that diabetes can bring about. Others include low levels of testosterone, a lacklustre sex drive, and retrograde ejaculation, where semen goes through to the bladder instead of out of the body ? i.e. orgasming without ejaculating. All of these conditions may be overcome or diminished by getting your diabetes under control.
If you have early warning signs of type 2 diabetes, then you should make sure to get onto it as soon possible to prevent ongoing nerve damage and blood vessel damage which can mean ongoing erectile dysfunction.
Early warning signs of type 2 diabetes
Watching out for the early warning signs of type 2 diabetes can mean better management and better health outcomes. So what are they?
Being thirsty all the time
Feeling tired
Blurry vision
Being hungry all the time
Headaches
Peeing a lot
Weight loss
Dry or cotton mouth
If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms (especially in combination with erectile dysfunction) it is important to head to the doctor to test and see if you have a high blood sugar that is associated with type 2 diabetes.
What can be done about erectile dysfunction?
As mentioned, the best way to deal with diabetes related erectile dysfunction is to deal with the diabetes itself. Once you get this under control it will be easier to deal with your ED, if it doesn?t go away all together.
Next port of call, if you are still experiencing ED seek assistance with a doctor to last longer in bed. Because your erectile dysfunction is a physical problem, it can be treated with doctor prescribed medication. Some people ED as a psychological issue, which can be treated with a combination of counselling and medication.
There are a range of medications that can be prescribed to deal with ED. They are short lasting and most work by increasing blood flow to the penis. This is why you need to let your doctor know in advance whether you have a heart condition or high blood pressure ? as it can be dangerous to take these types medications if you do.
You doctor will be able to prescribe a medication to take before engaging in sexual intercourse that will help so that you last the distance, so to speak.
Diabetes is a disease that can affect your body in all sorts of ways. Getting your diabetes under control should help to diminish secondary symptoms, like erectile dysfunction, which can then be treated with other prescription medications, should there be a need. Don?t just sit there hoping it will go away. Get on top of your health ? and your sexual health ? today.
Helen Bradley is a health blogger and the founder of her own blog about fitness. She has been blogging for three years now and loves to share what she learns with others. Helen enjoys reading, cooking, and staying active outdoors.
