Diabetes is one of the key disorders in Indian men that can lead to erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence during their life time. According to studies, men with diabetes tend to develop ED also known as impotence at least 10 to 15 years earlier than men without diabetes. The problem often aggravates as they age, especially if the disorder is not kept under check.

In men above the age of 50, the likelihood of experiencing difficulty with an erection occurs in approximately 50% to 60% of the population.  For those above the age of 70 it can go up to 95 per cent.

Causes behind dysfunction

While causes behind ED can be complex, one of the common issues in men with diabetes is impairment in nerve, blood vessel and muscle function. Since erection requires blood flow to the penis, men need healthy blood vessels, nerves, male hormones and a desire to be sexually stimulated.

So if your blood vessels and nerves are damaged, even if you have a desire to have sex or have adequate amount of male hormones in your body, you will still be unable to achieve a firm erection or have sex.

Available treatement

Some of the common oral medications for men with diabetes are sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra), tadalafil (Adcirca,Cialis), avanafil (Stendra), or vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn).

 For diabetes and sexual complications in men read
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications/sexual-problems-men%3famp

Dr Saxena is uro-andrologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. He specialises in treating prostate disease and impotence using a bloodless technique called vapour resection. He is also the founder president of Andrology India