Impotence and Diabetes – How to Manage Both Conditions

One of the lesser-known side effects of diabetes is that it can lead to erectile dysfunction. Experts think that it has to do with the way diabetes affects blood vessels.

To get and keep an erection, the body requires several different functions to work together. These include nerves, blood vessels, and hormones.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Impotence (erectile dysfunction) is a common problem that can affect men of all ages. It can be caused by a variety of conditions and diseases. The main causes are poor blood flow to the penis and problems with the nerves that control sexual functioning.

The blood vessels that supply the penis (arteries) can become blocked or damaged by a number of diseases, including diabetes and high cholesterol. These blockages can interfere with the blood flow to the penis, causing ED.

Diseases that affect the nervous system can also cause ED, as they can prevent proper communication between the brain and the penis. These include diabetes, strokes, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders.

Certain hormones and medications can also make it difficult to get an erection. Some men with low testosterone levels and thyroid diseases are particularly prone to ED.

There are a few things that your doctor can do to help you manage ED. First, he may recommend a series of blood tests to determine whether you have other health conditions that are contributing to the problem.

Your doctor can then use the results to develop a treatment plan for you check out ellinikafarmakeio. This will depend on your medical history, lifestyle and other factors.

For example, you may need to talk to your doctor about changes in your diet or exercise routine. These can be helpful in addressing ED as they might improve blood flow to your penis.

Another thing your doctor can do is to ask you about any medications you are taking. This is important because some medications, such as antidepressants and heart drugs, can affect your ability to have an erection.

If your doctor does not think that you have any other health issues that could be causing the ED, then they might suggest an oral PDE-5 medication. This medication is used for treating ED by blocking the enzyme in your body that causes an erection to occur.

Managing ED is not always easy, but with time and patience, your doctor will be able to provide the best treatment for you. Keeping in mind the benefits and risks of each treatment option will help you make an informed decision that is right for you and your partner.

High Blood Sugar (HbA1c)

High blood sugar (also known as diabetes) is a chronic condition that can have serious health consequences, including an increased risk of erectile dysfunction and diabetes complications. In fact, over time, blood sugar levels can damage the nerves that control your erections.

One way to monitor your blood sugar is by measuring a protein called hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in your blood. This is a good indicator of how well you are controlling your glucose levels, and helps doctors determine whether you have diabetes or prediabetes.

Hemoglobin A1c measures the amount of glucose (sugar) that has bonded to red blood cells in the past two or three months. The test is typically done every 3 to 6 months, but may be more often if you have recently started treatment or if you are pregnant.

Glucose (sugar) is an important energy source for our cells, tissues and organs. During digestion, our bodies break down carbohydrates into glucose. When you eat a meal, blood sugar levels rise. It is important to keep track of your blood sugars by testing before meals and after eating.

It is also important to keep a food journal to monitor how different foods affect your blood sugar level. This can help you and your doctor to develop an effective treatment plan.

In healthy people, hemoglobin A1c levels should be less than 6% of total hemoglobin. If your HbA1c is higher than this, it suggests that you are diabetic or have prediabetes.

The normal range for HbA1c is 6.5 to 7.7%. If your HbA1c is above this, it means that you are diabetic or have prediabetes and need to talk with your doctor about a treatment plan.

Keeping your blood sugar under control by following a healthy diet, being more active and taking medications can help you to control your diabetes and lower your HbA1c. You should also be tested for diabetes regularly, as well as checking your HbA1c. If you are pregnant, you should check your HbA1c more frequently – like every month – because high or low blood sugar during pregnancy can have serious effects on the developing baby.

Medications

There are several medications that can help a man with diabetes get and maintain an erection. These medications can be taken by mouth, by injection or even in a penile implant. It’s important to discuss these treatments with a healthcare provider so you can find the best option for you.

Oral medications like avanafil (Stendra), sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra), tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn) can work for most men with erectile dysfunction. These drugs increase blood flow to the penis and improve sexual arousal, which in turn can cause an erection.

Other medications, such as oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, can also be used to treat ED. These include tadalafil and a newer drug called vardenafil.

The drugs can also be combined with other medication to control a man’s blood sugar and cholesterol levels. This can help prevent further damage to blood vessels in the penis and other parts of the body.

Medications can also be combined with diet and exercise to improve a man’s overall health. This can help prevent a man from developing further ED problems and can also reduce his risk of other complications, such as heart disease.

It’s important to talk with your doctor about all of the different treatment options for erectile dysfunction and diabetes. Each one has its own pros and cons so it’s important to discuss what works best for your lifestyle.

You can also talk with your doctor about other conditions that can cause erectile dysfunction or worsen it, such as depression or stress. These issues can be treated through counseling.

If you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), this can also make it harder to get an erection. This is a condition that affects the tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder. This can be a serious problem and should be checked out immediately if you have ED or diabetes.

Other issues that can make it hard to have an erection are smoking, alcohol and lack of sleep. These can all contribute to a man’s lack of ability to get an erection, so it’s important to address these factors as well.

Lifestyle Changes

A healthy lifestyle plays an important role in diabetes and erectile dysfunction. It can help you manage your diabetes, improve your blood sugar, reduce your risk for heart disease and improve your overall health.

A good diet that is diabetes-friendly can help you control your blood sugar levels and lessen the amount of damage to your blood vessels and nerves. Getting plenty of exercise and losing weight can also help you manage your diabetes and ED.

Taking supplements such as amino acids l-arginine and l-citrulline can increase your production of nitric oxide, a vasodilator that opens up your blood vessels, which can improve your erections. Limiting your alcohol intake can also help you reduce your erectile dysfunction.

Another way to improve your erections is to reduce your stress level and make sure you get enough sleep. This can help you focus on sexual activity and reduce your anxiety and tension, which may contribute to your erection problems.

It’s also important to check your medications, as some drugs that are used for depression and high blood pressure can cause erectile dysfunction in men with diabetes. If you take these drugs, you can ask your doctor to prescribe new ones that do not have this side effect.

Your urologist can recommend some lifestyle changes that may help you manage your diabetes and erectile dysfunction. For example, some studies show that losing just a small amount of weight can significantly improve your erectile function and desire.

You might also want to consider a change in your smoking habits, as both cigarettes and alcohol can constrict blood vessels, which can interfere with your erections. It’s especially important to avoid drinking more than two alcoholic beverages per day, as this can increase your chances of developing ED.

Some doctors may even encourage you to quit altogether, as smoking is associated with a number of health conditions, including high blood pressure and heart disease. It can also negatively affect your blood sugar levels, which is another important factor for your erectile function.

You might also want to seek counseling, as stress can have a negative impact on your sexual life. A counselor can help you find coping mechanisms that work for you.