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Type Two Diabetes & Effect on Male Erections

When the smooth muscles lining the blood vessels in the penis relax, allowing increased blood flow to the corpus cavernosa (chambers along the penis length), the blood causes the penis to become erect. According to the Mayo Clinic, diabetes is one underlying cause of erection problems.

  1. ED

    • Erection trouble getting an erection is called impotence, or erectile dysfunction (ED), according to Insulite Labs, which reports that up to 80 percent of men with diabetes have ED, although less than 25% of those without have ED.

    Age

    • Men without diabetes usually develop ED after age 65 while men with diabetes develop it between 50 and 55 and as early as 30 years old.

    Related Issues

    • Some diabetic medications, particularly blood pressure ones, may cause problems. Depression and stress may also interfere with sexual response.

    Neuropathy

    • According to MayoClinic, uncontrolled diabetes can result in neuropathy or nerve damage, including nerves in the penis so that the smooth muscles do not function to allow increased blood flow.

    Blood Sugar

    • Nitric oxide is in the blood in the corpora cavernosa to build enough pressure to achieve an erection. Poor diabetic control increases blood sugar, which can decrease nitric oxide.

    Blood Vessels

    • Many diabetics also have cardiovascular disease, such as narrowed or hardened blood vessels, or atherosclerosis, which may prevent erections.

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