From Dr Lye Chuan Way and Professor Dr Hazreen Abdul Majid
In conjunction with International Men’s Health Week 2021 (June 14-20), it’s timely to address one of the most prevalent health problems among men – erectile dysfunction (ED).
ED is the inability to obtain or maintain a firm erection during sexual intercourse, a common problem particularly for men with diabetes.
According to a local study in 2019, more than 80% of the 400 men interviewed said they experienced some degree of ED. What’s more worrying is that more than a third reported severe forms of ED.
Men with diabetes are twice as likely to develop ED and may experience it 10 to 15 times earlier than their healthy counterparts. At times, difficulty maintaining an erection might even precede the diagnosis of diabetes.
The causes of ED in men with diabetes are complex and involve damage to nerves, blood vessels and muscle function, most of which are caused by poor, long term blood sugar control.
That being said, having ED can be a real challenge and leave you and your partner feeling frustrated and discouraged. However, don’t let embarrassment keep you from getting the help you need.
There are a few things you can do to improve the situation. Some of them improve both ED and diabetes simultaneously.
If you are a smoker, the first thing you can do it quit smoking. One of the major causes of ED, smoking narrows your blood vessels and the situation is worse if you’re diabetic as well.
If you are overweight or obese, it is important to shed that extra weight, especially body fat. This will help with diabetes control as well as improve ED.
Increased physical activities can help with both ED and getting diabetes under control as it reduces stress, helps you lose weight and increases blood flow.
Last but not least, limit or stop alcohol intake. Excess alcohol results in ED and also affects diabetes control. If you choose to drink alcohol, drink in moderation.
For healthy adults, this means you may consume up to one drink a day if you’re older than age 65, and up to two drinks a day if you’re aged 65 and younger.
If you aren’t sure how to manage your diet, consult a dietitian.
Don’t underestimate the difference these changes can make. After all, a journey of a thousand miles starts with just one step, so start taking control of your lifestyle today.
Written by Dr Lye Chuan Way and Associate Professor Dr Hazreen Abdul Majid, Department of Public Health and Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya.