Sexuality is one of the greatest gifts we have as humans. When it works, it can be wonderful, and when it doesn’t work, it can be confusing and tremendously frustrating. We need “arousal,” which requires good nerve conduction, blood flow and the right balance of hormones. And we need the capability to respond, which again requires all of the above. It seems simple, but we are not simple and sex is also not so simple. The most difficult aspect of this cycle is how diabetes can affect it. Let’s talk about how having diabetes can sometimes affect a man’s sexual response.
Effects of long-term diabetes are somewhat dependent on how long a man has had the disease and how his diabetes control has been over time. The sexual issues that we see associated with diabetes for men include:
• Erectile dysfunction. This is associated with complications associated with reduced blood flow and poor nerve conduction (neuropathy). It may also be associated with certain medications for high blood pressure.
• Low testosterone. This is the hormone associated with sexual arousal and sexual energy (libido). When it is low it usually means interest in sex is lower.
• Delayed ejaculation or orgasm. This is associated with neuropathy and sometimes also associated with anti-depressants.
• Retrograde ejaculation. This condition is associated with neuropathy and occurs when the ejaculate backs up into the bladder rather than being ejected out the penis.
• Peyronie’s disease. This condition, which causes a painful curvature of the penis, is caused by plaque buildup in an artery of the penis.
If you are having any of the symptoms listed above, it may be time to talk with a doctor or your diabetes educator.
Source: American Association of Diabetes Educators
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Connection, August 2017
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