About 1 in 5 American men have erectile dysfunction (ED) -- the inability to maintain an erection so that you can have sexual activity. If you are a man with diabetes, you are also more likely to have a lower sex drive, which increases your chance of having ED. A study of men aged 55 to 75 years old who had type 2 diabetes found that more than 70% of them had ED.
Diabetes causes a variety of health problems, including ED. In fact, ED can be the first sign of diabetes. It can also be the first sign of heart disease and other illnesses. If you are having problems getting or keeping an erection, it’s important to tell your doctor so you can be checked for potentially serious illnesses. Also, erectile dysfunction can cause low self-esteem and lead to depression because of the effect it may have on intimate relationships.
Men, their partners, and their doctors should have open conversations about ED. Most of the time, it can be corrected. Just as medical science has delivered many treatments for diabetes—such as pills, injections, and inhalers—it has delivered many for ED.
If treatment is penile implant surgery, find a qualified surgeon and know your costs. Remember, if your surgery is not covered by insurance, look for surgery packages as a way to lower expenses.
