Impotence is often the subject of jokes, but as men age (and for many men with diabetes), impotence is no laughing matter. It is primarily a problem of men in their fifties or older, and men with diabetes are at higher risk. In fact, 50 to 60 percent of men over the age of 50 who have diabetes have some degree of impotence. (Impotence refers to the frequent, not occasional, inability to become or stay erect.)
Impotence can have both psychological and physiological causes. Impotence with a psychological basis often begins suddenly, while impotence with a physical cause usually comes on slowly, beginning with a less rigid penis and fewer erections, and worsens over time, until the man is unable to sustain an erection. In men with diabetes, it is most often caused by nerve- or blood vessel-related problems of the disease. For example, if blood vessel damage prevents blood flow to the penis, it can no longer become erect, or if the nerves that signal the penis become damaged, the result can be failure to become erect.
The best way for a man with diabetes to avoid physiological impotence is to maintain good blood glucose control, as well as avoid smoking, decrease alcohol intake and keep blood pressure normal. But when impotence becomes a concern, a frank discussion with your doctor can get to the root of the problem.
Determining the cause of impotence, which must be done before appropriate treatment can be recommended, may involve a number of different tests. As part of an evaluation, it is also important to inform your doctor about any medications you are taking, including items you buy without a prescription, because some drugs taken for common ailments can contribute to impotence. If medication may be causing impotence, your doctor may be able to change or adjust it. However, you should never stop taking any prescribed medication without consulting with your doctor. Smoking and drinking alcohol can also contribute to impotence.
Today, doctors can offer a variety of treatments for physiological impotence, so going through the diagnostic procedures is well worth the effort. Common treatments include injecting a drug directly into the penis to produce an erection lasting 30 to 60 minutes; using a vacuum pump to produce an erection; and implanting a device (penile prosthesis) in the penis to produce erections. Your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of each of these treatments to help you make a decision about which, if any, of these options is best for you.
If the impotence is believed to have a psychological basis, your physician can refer you to a therapist who specializes in dealing with sexual issues.
Impotence can have both psychological and physiological causes. Impotence with a psychological basis often begins suddenly, while impotence with a physical cause usually comes on slowly, beginning with a less rigid penis and fewer erections, and worsens over time, until the man is unable to sustain an erection. In men with diabetes, it is most often caused by nerve- or blood vessel-related problems of the disease. For example, if blood vessel damage prevents blood flow to the penis, it can no longer become erect, or if the nerves that signal the penis become damaged, the result can be failure to become erect.
The best way for a man with diabetes to avoid physiological impotence is to maintain good blood glucose control, as well as avoid smoking, decrease alcohol intake and keep blood pressure normal. But when impotence becomes a concern, a frank discussion with your doctor can get to the root of the problem.
Determining the cause of impotence, which must be done before appropriate treatment can be recommended, may involve a number of different tests. As part of an evaluation, it is also important to inform your doctor about any medications you are taking, including items you buy without a prescription, because some drugs taken for common ailments can contribute to impotence. If medication may be causing impotence, your doctor may be able to change or adjust it. However, you should never stop taking any prescribed medication without consulting with your doctor. Smoking and drinking alcohol can also contribute to impotence.
Today, doctors can offer a variety of treatments for physiological impotence, so going through the diagnostic procedures is well worth the effort. Common treatments include injecting a drug directly into the penis to produce an erection lasting 30 to 60 minutes; using a vacuum pump to produce an erection; and implanting a device (penile prosthesis) in the penis to produce erections. Your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of each of these treatments to help you make a decision about which, if any, of these options is best for you.
If the impotence is believed to have a psychological basis, your physician can refer you to a therapist who specializes in dealing with sexual issues.
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