All about sexual health and diabetes in men

Just as advancing years can affect it, diabetes can also impede a man's sex life, potentially leading to decreased performance [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. Thankfully, the impacts of diabetes on male sexual health are not unavoidable, and solutions are available.

Side effects of diabetes on male sexual health

Many studies demonstrate that diabetes can lead to complications in sex life [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. Individuals with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to face discomfort in their sex life than those without diabetes [1,2,4,5,6].

These sexual disorders appear more commonly in males [1,4] and even more frequently among those susceptible to complications [1,4,5,6]. It is thus estimated that about half of men with diabetes struggle with sexual problems [1,4].

Impact of diabetes on a man's sex life

A man's sexual performance can dwindle due to diabetes and age [1,2,4,5,6]. These hindrances are primarily characterised by erectile dysfunction and problems with orgasm and libido [1,3,4,5,6]. It's estimated that men with diabetes experience these issues 10 to 15 years earlier than those without diabetes due to a mixture of factors [1,4].

The causes might initially be psychological: low mood, depression, and self-confidence [1,4,6,7]. 35% of men living with diabetes worry about hypoglycaemia during intercourse, and 40% have experienced it [7].

Diabetes also directly affects the proper functioning of the erectile system in half of all men with diabetes. For comparison, approximately 22% of men without diabetes suffer from erectile disorders [1].

Physiologically speaking, certain diabetes complications can lead to impotence [1,2,4,5,6]. Problems with body weight and sex hormone levels in the blood can also impact intimacy and the male reproductive system, notably through a decrease in testosterone levels [1,2,4,7].

But don't worry, the underlying causes can be fully addressed!

Prevention and treatment

To prevent a decline in your sex life, it's imperative to manage diabetes comprehensively and at an early stage [2,3,4,5,6].

If diabetes affects your sex life, a multidisciplinary team of doctors and specialists, including a psychologist, a diabetologist, an endocrinologist, a urologist, and a dietitian, should be consulted [2,4,5]. It's vital to discuss any anxieties you have about hypoglycaemia after intercourse with a healthcare professional [2,3,5].

Prevention also includes regular monitoring of your blood glucose levels and adherence to traditional hygiene and diet guidelines (quality sleep, a stress-limiting lifestyle, regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and moderate alcohol consumption) to minimise the effects of diabetes on your sex life as much as possible [2,3,4,5].

Starting these recommendations at a young age can guarantee not just an improvement in your sex life but also overall health and daily well-being [2,4].