Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes |
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 Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the persistent inability of a man to attain or maintain sufficient erection required for satisfactory sexual activity. ED is becoming quite frequent in diabetes patients. There are mainly two types of ED primary, where sexual function is quite normal, or secondary, in which case sexual abnormality occurs after a period of normal sexual activity: in diabetic patients invariably are ED secondary.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) the most neglected and distressing complication of Type 2 diabetes. The disordered physiological processes and management associated with the diabetic ED is quite different from nondiabetic ED.
This abnormality is quite common, affecting more than 20 million American men. Diabetic men tend to develop ED 10 to 15 years earlier than non- diabetic men. Where approximately 52% of ED is prevalent in the non diabetic men between the age of 40 to 70 years, in diabetic men it ranges from 35% to 75% that begins at an earlier age. After 70 years of age, 2/3rd of the general male population are diagnosed with ED. The occurrence of ED in diabetic men between 20-29 years of age is only 9%, that rises to 95% by 70 years of age. It was found that erectile dysfunction occurs within 10 years of the onset of diabetes in 50% of diabetic men.
Diabetes mellitus or Type 2 diabetes is the most common cause of erectile dysfunction (ED) observed in clinical practice, that includes nearly 28% of diabetic men with to attend an ED clinic with diabetes. ED associated with diabetes was first reported by Rollo in 1798 despite of some mechanism behind the cause remains unclear, certain factors are indeed involved, among which neuronal and vascular are the most significant. Impairments in muscle function, nerve, blood vessel are the major causes of diabetes related erectile dysfunction.
To attain a normal erection, men basically need healthy blood vessels, normal nervous control, proper secretion of male hormones that raises the desire to be sexually stimulated. In diabetic patients blood vessels and nerves that control erection are damaged a person fails to achieve a firm erection despite of normal hormonal secretions and desire to have sex.
 Diabetes and diabetes related vascular disease accounts for about 40% of ED in United States. Whereas surgery to the urogenital area and prostate, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord causes accounted for 24%, and endocrine related disorders since 3-6% of ED in men.
Erectile dysfunction in other way is an indication for development of vascular diseases. It is known that the penis acts as a divining rod with its capability to identify individuals at the verge of a vascular catastrophe long before it begins. Person with erectile dysfunction suffers from with elevated levels of total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, reduced levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, that are the common risk factors for coronary vascular disease.
Treatments Available for Diabetes related Erectile Dysfunction
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Oral drugs: Medications needed for erectile dysfunction include sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio), vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn) or tadalafil (Cialis, Adcirca). These medicines help ease the flow of blood to the penis, making it easier to attain and maintain firm erection. However, since heart disease is associated with diabetes, these medications may not be appropriate as they cause life threatening interactions with heart medicine. Doctors must be consulted before using these medications.
If pills are not serving the purpose doctor may recommend a tiny suppository that can be inserted into the tip of the penis prior to sex. Besides, there are some drugs that increase blood flow needed to get and keep a proper erection can be injected into the base of the penis.
Other treatments diabetic men with ED might consider include, vacuum constriction devices, intracavernous injection therapy, sex therapy or intraurethral therapy. It depends on many factors, including a man's health and his ability to stand the treatment. The doctor will be the right person to judge whether the patient need to see a (a urologist) to determine the best treatment for the situation.
Future of diabetes associated erectile dysfunction
Besides better medications, vacuum devices, implants, and suppositories all that have increased options for diabetic men with erectile dysfunction, Gene therapy, which is not yet being tested at some point may contribute to stable therapeutic approach to controlling tackling diabetes and in turn erectile dysfunction. |
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