10 Diabetes Related Men’s Health & Urological Conditions
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Diabetes can lead to some urological and men’s sexual health problems in men. Nevertheless, many of these complications are treatable and preventable.
The early symptoms of Men with Diabetes may not display any signs, or the symptoms may not be obvious.
Some of the contributing factors of type 2 diabetes are family history, overweight & obesity, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, and age.
Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that the body cannot produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone used to regulate the blood sugar in the body. In the long term, it will result in too much sugar circulating in the bloodstream and cause circulatory, nervous, and immune system disorders.
The potential health issues associated with diabetes are often severe. For example, one may risk heart diseases, obesity, causing problems with the kidneys, skin, and eyes, and men’s sexual health-related issues.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop and progress slowly.
However, some of the common symptoms may include:
- Fatigue,
- Frequent urination,
- Frequent infections,
- Slow-healing,
- Areas of darkened skin,
- Increased hunger
Diabetes can also lead to some urological and men’s sexual health problems in men. Nevertheless, many of these complications are treatable and preventable.
Men’s Sexual Health & Urological Conditions related to Diabetes
1. Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
The damage to the autonomic nervous system (ANS) can lead to sexual problems in men with diabetes, such as erectile dysfunction in Malaysia. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, digestion, and sexual arousal.
The ANS also controls the constricting of blood vessels. Suppose the blood vessels and nerves in the penis are injured. It can lead to erectile dysfunction (ED).
Damaged blood vessels can slow blood flow into the penis, a common cause of erectile dysfunction in men living with diabetes. ED medications, such as tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), and sildenafil (Viagra) may help you manage your condition.
2. Low Testosterone
Men with diabetes are more likely to develop low testosterone. Also, men with low testosterone are more likely to develop diabetes later.
When randomly tested for low testosterone and diabetes, as many as half of the men with diabetes have low testosterone.
Testosterone is a male sex hormone that helps the body’s tissues take up more blood sugar in response to insulin. As a result, men with low testosterone often have insulin resistance—men with diabetes need to produce more insulin to normalize blood sugar.
Having low testosterone can cause you to lose interest in sex and develop low libido (Low Sex Drive), body mass decreases, moodiness and irritability, erectile dysfunction (weak erection), and you feel depressed.
Other medical conditions contributing to low testosterone are andropause (male menopause) and male hypogonadism.
Treatment for low testosterone can come in the form of testosterone injections, patches, or gels.
3. Low Sex Drive (Low Libido)
Low Sex Drive (Low Libido) can impact the sexual lives of both men and women with diabetes.
Men with type 2 diabetes or who are overweight have a higher risk of low testosterone than their peers without the two conditions. If your sexual drive is affected, first look to your diabetes management and weight loss treatment to lower your blood glucose levels. When low testosterone is treated through losing weight and testosterone therapy, many men have a renewed desire for sex.
4. Retrograde Ejaculation
Retrograde ejaculation is one of the sexual health issues experienced by men with type 2 diabetes. Retrograde ejaculation happens when semen is ejaculated into the bladder instead of from the penis.
Extremely high glucose levels can cause nerve damage to the sphincter muscles, causing retrograde ejaculation.
5. Retarded Ejaculation (Delayed Ejaculation)
Diabetes can lead to ejaculation problems due to the nerves in the penis becoming damaged. Lack of nerve sensitivity is one problem that can affect ejaculation.
Retarded, delayed, and impaired ejaculation are all medical terms that describe difficulty in achieving ejaculation.
Retarded ejaculation is the difficulty or inability to ejaculate despite adequate sexual desire, erection, and stimulation. On the other hand, premature ejaculation happens when a man has an orgasm and ejaculates sooner than he or his partner would like. PE often occurs before or shortly after penetration during intercourse.
6. Overactive Bladder and Frequent Urination
Diabetes can lead to frequent urination, as the bladder doesn’t empty each time. Separately, high blood glucose in the urine can make people with diabetes urinate more often. Moreover, higher glycosylated haemoglobin levels increased the risk of an overactive bladder in patients with diabetes.
7. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Men with diabetes who don't properly manage their condition have twice the risk of developing a urinary tract infection. UTIs in men could result from blood glucose (sugar) levels not being adequately controlled. The sugar in the urine can promote bacterial growth.
8. Recurrent Balanitis
Diabetes can cause balanitis if the blood sugar is poorly controlled. Conversely, high blood sugar causes elevated amounts of sugar in the urine.
Sugar-rich urine dribbles on the glans and under the foreskin provide a friendly environment for yeast and bacteria.
If you have diabetes, your provider will show you how to manage the condition. Treatment for balanitis may include medication and circumcision.
If you have recurring symptoms of balanitis, your doctor may recommend circumcision. Adult circumcision is available in our branches in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.
9. Reduced Sperm quality & Low Sperm Count
Diabetes can lead to reduced sperm quality, but diabetes does not appear to affect the motility of sperm (the ability of the sperm to move towards the egg) or cause infertility as a result. Semen analysis (sperm count test) is an effective way to check on your male fertility.
Obesity will decrease pregnancy rates and more significant pregnancy loss through assisted reproductive technology. In addition, while there is inconclusive evidence that obesity affects sperm motility, evidence suggests that obesity is associated with reduced sperm concentration.
Also, several prescription medications have been linked to infertility.
10. Yeast infections (Candidiasis)
A 2018 study — which included data from over 300,000 people — showed that a person with type 1 or type 2 diabetes has a higher risk of infection, including yeast infection, than a person without diabetes.
People with diabetes need to recognise fungal infection symptoms and receive prompt treatment to avoid potentially serious complications.
Thrush is not a sexually transmitted infection and can occur without sexual contact. However, Candida can sometimes be transmitted during sex, and sexual activity can worsen thrush symptoms.
In Conclusion
Diabetes and men's sexual health and urological health issues are closely connected and intertwined.
Prevent type 2 diabetes from hijacking your well-being.
Lifestyle changes, medications, and opening up the lines of communication with your partner are just a few of the things you may find helpful. Discuss issues with your doctor.
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