How does diabetes affect sexual health in men?

Diabetes not only causes dangerous complications on internal organs such as the heart, eyes, kidneys... but also is one of the causes affecting the sexual health of men. According to research, up to half of people with diabetes experience problems related to sexual function.

In addition to the risk of dangerous diseases on the heart, eyes, kidneys, blood vessels and nerves. Diabetes increases the risk of sexually transmitted diseases in men compared to those without the disease. When having diabetes, the patient is at risk of experiencing sexual dysfunction conditions such as:
Affects erectile function The cause of this is high blood sugar that damages nerves, affects Affects the transmission of sexual signals to the penis, so when the transmission of sensations to the brain is affected, it is difficult to erect the penis during sex. In addition, diabetes damages the blood vessels in the body, causing lack of blood supply to many organs. It also narrows the blood vessels of the penis so the genitals can't get enough blood to get an erection.
This condition causes erectile dysfunction , which can lead to impotence .
Affects ejaculation When having diabetes, ejaculation in men, causing ejaculation disorder. Due to the prolonged increase in blood sugar over time, it damages the nerves, so the amount of semen is hindered and difficult to get out. This condition is more common in people with type 1 diabetes, having sex but having difficulty ejaculating increases the risk of male infertility.
Sometimes disease is also the cause of premature ejaculation, caused by erectile dysfunction. Prolonged premature ejaculation affects health, mental health, and sexual dysfunction.
Decreased levels of male hormone (testosterone)

When men have diabetes, regardless of type, people find an association between diabetes and male sex hormone levels. In addition, if men with diabetes are also overweight, the risk of low testosterone is higher.
The decrease in male sex hormone levels not only causes disorders in male sexual life, but also is a high risk factor for dangerous diseases such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases, increased risk of stroke in patients with diabetes. Not only that, but testosterone is also involved in blood sugar control mechanisms. Therefore, the decrease of this hormone affects the function of insulin, reduces sensitivity or resistance to insulin, thereby reducing the amount of sugar entering the cells, increasing blood sugar, thereby promoting severe diabetes. than.

Decreased sex drive This decrease in libido is caused by a lack of male hormones. This condition can be affected by emotions, severe can lead to depression, affecting family happiness.
Low blood sugar during sex When having sex, some people with diabetes experience hypoglycemia, when having diabetes, there is a risk of complications of hypoglycemia, so exercise excessively and use Improper use of hypoglycemic drugs. This condition often leads to decreased interest in both objects, affecting psychologically and emotionally. This needs to be understood and shared with partners to avoid affecting men's psychology.

Some measures can be used to limit the risk of sexual problems in men with diabetes:
It is important to control blood sugar well: Limit sugar intake, control Medication and diet control are important. Good control of blood sugar helps improve male physiological function, also helps to limit dangerous complications caused by diabetes on blood vessels, nerves... Weight control: Regular exercise , sports to avoid excess energy causing overweight and obesity. You can do gentle exercises such as yoga, walking, nursing... Supplementing with foods that contain a lot of zinc and essential vitamins: Zinc is an indispensable nutrient that helps promote sex drive, production endogenous testosterone. Zinc is found in foods such as egg yolks, sesame seeds, oysters, peanuts, mushrooms and red meat. Supplementing these foods will help the body increase testosterone production thereby improving libido. Adequate vitamin supplementation also contributes to limiting male sexual dysfunction, enhancing hormone production.

If there is a deficiency of the male sex hormone testosterone, drugs can be used to increase the production of this hormone. Stay away from substances that can aggravate male hypogonadism such as alcohol, beer, tobacco or stimulants such as opiates. Patients need the understanding and sharing of their partner, to avoid psychological apprehension, fear leading to a gradual loss of emotions and decreased sex drive. Thus, diabetes affects male physiology, significantly affecting the sex life of husband and wife. People with diabetes, when experiencing problems related to sexual function, should go to the doctor for examination and treatment under the guidance of a doctor. Avoid letting this situation last for a long time, affecting psychology, health and family happiness.
At Vinmec International General Hospital, we always deploy a screening package for diabetes and dyslipidemia to help detect pre-diabetes early, accurately classify diabetes type, develop a nutritional regimen, monitoring to minimize the risk and complications caused by diabetes.

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