Erectile dysfunction affects more than half of men with diabetes, new research reveals. High blood sugar damages the nerves needed to become aroused

 

Overall, 52.5 percent of male diabetes patients struggle to get or maintain an erection, a study found.

 

For unclear reasons, type 2 diabetes sufferers are more at risk with 66.3 percent having erectile dysfunction compared to just 37.5 percent with type 1.

 

Previous research has shown diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels needed to become aroused. Researchers hope the findings will encourage early erectile screening and interventions among male diabetes sufferers. 

 

THE THREE VITAL HEALTH CHECKS ALL DIABETES PATIENTS SHOULD HAVE TO SAVE THEIR LIFE 

Diabetes patients should be having their blood pressure, cholesterol and kidney function tested every year, a charity said earlier this month.

Failure to have such checks carried out annually more than doubles a patient's risk of early death, according to the most recent National Diabetes Audit report.

On the back of these findings, Diabetes UK states such checks could save patients' lives by ensuring any problems are identified and treated before they become serious.

Diabetes patients are at a higher risk of early death than healthy people, particularly if they are of a working age, the report adds.

The condition increases a sufferer's risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney problems. 

 

Key findings 

Researchers from the University of Padova in Italy analysed 145 studies investigating the link between diabetes and erectile dysfunction. In total, 88,577 men with type 1 or 2 diabetes were included in the study review. Results revealed that having diabetes significantly increases a man's risk of suffering from erectile dysfunction. Overall, 52.5 percent of male diabetes patients have erectile dysfunction to some extent.

 

Type 2 diabetes sufferers are more at risk, with 66.3 percent of patients struggling to get or maintain an erection compared to 37.5 percent with type 1.    

 

The findings were published in the journal Diabetic Medicine. 

 

Why do diabetes patients have erectile dysfunction?

Previous research has shown men with diabetes are more at risk of erectile dysfunction as their condition can damage the nerves and blood vessels needed to become aroused. This means male patients can struggle to get or maintain an erection regardless of whether they produce the necessary hormones or are sufficiently sexually stimulated.

 

It is unclear why type 2 diabetes patients are more affected. The researchers hope their findings will encourage erectile screening and interventions among men with diabetes.

 

Study author Dr Damiano Pizzol said: 'The findings suggest that clinicians should routinely screen for erectile dysfunction in men with diabetes.'