Diabetes can significantly impact one’s health, leading to various issues, such as heart disease and kidney problems. Besides the common health problems that can be caused by diabetes; men with diabetes can also face issues with their reproductive and sexual health. Credentialled Diabetes Educator, Carolien Koreneff, explains.

So how does diabetes impact men’s health?

High blood glucose levels can damage nerves and blood vessels throughout your body, including those crucial for erections. This makes erectile dysfunction a common complication for men with diabetes. Research has shown that around 10% of men with erectile dysfunction have undiagnosed diabetes.

Diabetes can affect testosterone production, leading to decreased libido and other related issues. Data from studies also show us that, the lower your testosterone level, the higher your likelihood of developing diabetes.

Diabetes can also impact overall sexual desire and function, affecting a man’s intimate relationships.

To add to this, diabetes can contribute to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Diabetes is also a leading cause of kidney failure, impacting your overall health and wellbeing. It can damage blood vessels in your eyes, leading to vision loss and even blindness, and can damage nerves. Nerve damage can cause pain, numbness, and tingling, particularly in the extremities.

The challenges of living with diabetes and its complications can contribute to depression and anxiety. And sexual health problems can strain relationships and affect overall wellbeing.

Erectile dysfunction

When you have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection hard enough to have intercourse, you may have erectile dysfunction (ED). The causes can be physical, psychological or a combination or both. If you have diabetes, you are more than twice as likely to develop ED.

The main causes of ED are reduced blood flow and nerve damage. ED is therefore more common in men who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and/or who are overweight.

It is important to manage your blood glucose levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels to reduce your risk of ED and to manage the symptoms. If you have ED your doctor may prescribe medication, or refer you to a specialist.

Low testosterone

Testosterone is a hormone. It is needed for sexual and reproductive functions. If you have diabetes, you are at increased risk of having low testosterone. If you have diabetes and are overweight this risk increases even further.

To be able to make testosterone, the body needs another hormone, called luteinizing hormone. This is produced by your brain, but production may be affected by high blood glucose levels. Hence high glucose levels can impact the amount of luteinizing hormone, that the brain releases. This can lead to mood swings, irritability, low energy levels, poor concentration, reduced muscle strength, and low sex drive.

Doing regular exercise and keeping a healthy weight, will help manage your blood glucose levels, which in turn can help keep your testosterone levels normal.

Why men’s health matters

Due to the delayed diagnosis and management, men may experience more severe diabetes-related complications. In fact, some men are diagnosed with diabetes after having developed diabetes-related complications.

Studies show men with diabetes may have a shorter life expectancy compared to women with diabetes due to a combination of factors, this includes the aforementioned delayed diagnosis and management, and increased risk of other conditions.

What you can do

• Get regular, annual, health checkups, including blood glucose tests, to detect diabetes early
• Focus on a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Incorporate physical activity into your routine to help manage blood glucose levels and maintain a healthy weight, this will help to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and manage existing conditions
• Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption and smoking, as they can negatively impact overall health and diabetes management
• Practice stress-reducing techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or spending time in nature to support both physical and mental wellbeing
• Don’t hesitate to reach out to healthcare professionals, support groups, or therapists for guidance and support

Diabetes can have a significant impact on men’s health, affecting sexual health, increasing the risk of other conditions, and potentially impacting your overall wellbeing and life expectancy. Taking proactive steps towards early diagnosis, healthy lifestyle choices, and seeking support can help you manage diabetes effectively and improve your quality of life.