Erectile dysfunction diabetes
Diabetes can cause erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. If your partner has diabetes then it may be possible that ED occurs as a result, or alternatively, that his ED may be a symptom of this underlying condition.
Erection difficulty with diabetes occurs due to a number of reasons, such as neuropathy and reduced blood flow. This results in the physical inability to maintain or get an erection.
There are a number of different illnesses that may be the cause for erectile dysfunction, which is why you should support and advise your partner to seek medical advice.
Physical erection problems may require medical treatment and you should advise your partner to see his doctor straight away as the emotional response to ED may make him feel worse and add to the impotence problem.
'What is causing his erection problem?'
© Dr John Dean, Arousal disorders expertIn approximately 80% of men with ED, there is an underlying physical cause - such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease. This is why it is important for your partner to get checked out by a doctor if he hasn't done so already and for him to have regular medical check ups.
Early warning
Men affected by erection problems, even if they only have occasional issues, should take their problem seriously, particularly if the symptoms persist for more than a few weeks.ED may be the first symptom of an important medical problem. It should not be ignored and all affected men should consult their GP for advice. The encouragement and support of their partner is often tremendously helpful to them in overcoming their understandable embarrassment in first seeking advice. If your partner seems to have a problem, talk about it.
Health-related Erectile Dysfunction
ED may be a symptom of a number of different underlying illnesses which can include:- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Coronary heart disease
- Depression/Anxiety
- Surgery (e.g. pelvic)
- Spinal cord injury
- Hormonal problems
- Neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis
| "Is your partner’s ED a symptom of another underlying illness?" |
While in the majority of cases, ED has an underlying physical cause, in some men this problem may be psychological. However, in many men there will usually be a combination of both physical and psychological factors. Other possible causes of erection problems can include some medications (e.g. certain antidepressants) or too much alcohol.
It is possible that non medical matters may affect a man's erection. These can include:
- Life pressures - for example work, financial or family worries
- Performance anxiety – whereby a man becomes anxious before sexual intercourse
- Change in partner – starting a new relationship, particularly after the loss of a partner, may be problematic for some men.
© 2007 Lilly
