It's a bloke thing
The side effect no one talks about
Parents please note, this article addresses adult matters and may not be suitable for younger readers.
Although most people don't talk about it, diabetes can have an effect on your sex life, especially with impotence or erectile dysfunction.
Although erectile dysfunction affects most men at some point in their lives, it is much more common in men with diabetes. According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 50 percent of men with diabetes will experience erectile dysfunction within 10 years of diagnosis1. And the longer a man has diabetes, the greater his chances are of developing the condition. In 12 percent of men with diabetes, erectile dysfunction is actually the first sign of the disease1.
The problems occur because diabetes damages nerves and blood vessels throughout the body.
When nerves or blood vessels are damaged, the flow of blood may be impeded. An erection occurs when the blood flow into the penis is increased. If the blood flow is impeded, an erection is difficult to achieve or sustain. And with diabetes that's what happens. It's nothing to do with masculinity or sexiness. It's simply a problem with the blood vessels.
Another cause related to diabetes is poor blood glucose control. This can inhibit the release of a chemical known as nitric oxide. Too little nitric oxide may hamper blood flow to your penis, which - again - makes it tough to achieve or maintain an erection.2
For all these reasons, you can see how diabetes can cause problems in the bedroom. But thankfully, treatment is very effective and easy these days.
So if diabetes starts causing this problem for you, don't ignore it. You and your partner deserve better than that. So talk to your doctor or a specialist men's health clinic. There are a number of treatments available. All you have to do is ask.
References:
1: http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_About/sexualdys.asp
2: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/erectile-dysfunction/DA00045