Nobody mentions ED.

PhilipAnsell

Member
Messages
8
I understand up to 70% of diabetic men can suffer so why not ?

Every time I mention it, it's like pushing an ejector button.

What I want to know is, can it improve ..?

What treatment works best for people ?
 

bulkbiker

BANNED
Messages
19,576
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi and welcome..
In fact if you put erectile in the search box at the top of the page you'll find there have been quite a few threads on it.
There are quite a few others too but people are often coy about the title so less easy to find.

May I ask what Type you are as this may slightly change the advice you get but lowering errant blood glucose levels can often be helpful.
 

EllieM

Moderator
Staff Member
Messages
9,208
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
forum bugs
There are quite a few others too but people are often coy about the title so less easy to find.

A lot of people refer to it as ED, and I don't think the search function lets you use a two letter search term.

I'm female, so not an issue for me, but I believe that doctors can help a lot if you talk to them about it. And yes, improved blood sugar control can't do any harm.
 

zand

Master
Messages
10,784
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
One of the problems is that the term ED is also used to refer to Eating Disorders on this site.
 

therower

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,922
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
@PhilipAnsell .
ED has many causes as you are probably aware.
As far as diabetes is concerned I would think that poorly controlled diabetes maybe the biggest reason behind ED.
Continual HbA1C isn’t good and leads to many unwanted complications. As most people on the forum will agree, a lowering of HbA1C is hugely beneficial on so many fronts. ED and stress being on the list.
Nerve damage can be a complication of high blood sugar, this can be a cause of ED. The sooner continual high blood sugar is bought under control the better the outcome and possible reversal of nerve damage.
Stress, although not unique to diabetes can also be a huge factor in ED. Diabetes as a 24/7 condition is obviously at times a very stressful condition for all of us.
As a T1 diabetic my only times of suffering with ED have been when blood sugar drops too low, hypo territory.
Hypo and your body prioritises. Obtaining and maintaining an erection doesn’t come high up the list of priorities unfortunately.
It is obviously a sensitive subject. Obviously there maybe a whole host of other reasons for ED and not necessarily diabetes related.
I would suggest ensuring that you cover all the bases with regards to diabetes ie. HbA1C and stress. If the problem still exists then further investigation by your GP may be your next port of call.
 
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PhilipAnsell

Member
Messages
8
Thank you for all your responses. I've just found out I'm T2 but have been for over 5 years. It was a number of symptoms that got me to visit the doctor only to be told it's my age, my imagination, and only on visiting 3rd doc did he look at my notes and previous test from 5 years prior and tell me.
Now being treated I am keen to know if this is it now or if improvement is possible.
I had an HbA1c 2 months ago of 98. I know I am improving so hopefully next test will be encouraging.
 

bulkbiker

BANNED
Messages
19,576
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Thank you for all your responses. I've just found out I'm T2 but have been for over 5 years. It was a number of symptoms that got me to visit the doctor only to be told it's my age, my imagination, and only on visiting 3rd doc did he look at my notes and previous test from 5 years prior and tell me.
Now being treated I am keen to know if this is it now or if improvement is possible.
I had an HbA1c 2 months ago of 98. I know I am improving so hopefully next test will be encouraging.

There are lots of dietary changes that you could make which will assist in lowering your blood sugar levels.

Have a read of the intro thread

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-information-for-newly-diagnosed-diabetics.26870/

to get some insights and please feel free to ask any further questions you might have.
98 mmol/m is a fairly high level so you should be able to improve that significantly with a lower or very low carb diet.
 
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Route 66

Well-Known Member
Messages
205
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Improvements are always possible as you drop your BG levels.

98 is quite high. Have you got a meter? If not, it may be wise to get one so that you can see what effect different foods have on you and you can get an idea how your Hba1C is coming down or otherwise.

Good Luck.
 

PhilipAnsell

Member
Messages
8
Hi,
Yep, radical diet change and new exercise regime and I am testing regularly and seeing big improvements in levels. Thank you for your encouragement.

My query,: is it reasonable to hope for some restoration of function ?

And my observation that every professional I have broached the subject with, does not want to indulge a moments conversation about it ...?
Surely they understand it's no more embarrassing for them than it is for me and it's going to be causing some anxiety.
 

Mike d

Expert
Messages
7,997
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
Dislikes
idiots who will not learn
Men are generally hopeless the world over in even raising the subject ... I know guys who won't even consider a five second prostate exam. That can take your life, ED won't. But I understand the frustrations.
 

Vegman1441

Active Member
Messages
28
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi all, I’ve had ED for 12 years and nothing I have been given seems to work.
Doc does not seem interested as it’s not medical, my prostate cancer doc has brought it up but I don’t hold much hope.
I just don’t feel like a man anymore more ,more of a waste of space.
 

Sheepybob

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I was diagnosed T2, 3 years ago. I manage my condition through diet and my 6 monthly checks say I'm pre-diabetic for the second year. I've had ED for the last year, and was told that's part of being diabetic. It wasn't until I saw a doctor from another clinic, recently, due to an infected bite, that it was mentioned that is was down to the combination of hypertension meds I was on. Changed those and, hey presto, you can guess the rest!

My question is, why wasn't this mentored by my GP?
 

Coastal

Active Member
Messages
28
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I was diagnosed T2, 3 years ago. I manage my condition through diet and my 6 monthly checks say I'm pre-diabetic for the second year. I've had ED for the last year, and was told that's part of being diabetic. It wasn't until I saw a doctor from another clinic, recently, due to an infected bite, that it was mentioned that is was down to the combination of hypertension meds I was on. Changed those and, hey presto, you can guess the rest!

My question is, why wasn't this mentored by my GP?
So blood pressure meds caused the “deflation” ? I have T2 but also low T .... my doc seems totally uninterested in testosterone therapy....
 

T1Inator

Newbie
Messages
1
Every time I mention it, it's like pushing an ejector button

I have no problems discussing it, although I don’t find any discussions fruitful. Talking changes nothing . The most useful aspect arising from forums and discussion is the information that it is normal, “70% “ by your quote. This is the single most useful bit of info to come from discussion .

I Do jot take away from the emn who experience this as embarrassing , uncomfortable, distasteful . These are all valid experiences .

For T1D has been part of my growth as a human.learning to adapt to changing circumstances , to accept what can’t be changed. To look at life habits, refine eating habits etc.... ED was a part of journey.

What I want to know is, can it improve ..?

Nothing I know of improves it.

I can’t tell you what works as I have encountered no solutions. So all I can tell you what doesn’t work , and what doesn’t work for me :

-bg level control
-vascular dilation (viagra)

It’s worth noting that I don’t mean to encourage bad bg control or giving up. Far from it, but to deal with anything one needs to understand what it’s about . For me, facts and truth matter more than platitudes , false hopes , “it will be sunshine and rainbows “. The truth is it will be sunshine and rainbows only if you accept the facts of your situation. By sharing mine, what’s true for me, it can help those with similiar experiences know they are not alone, that life contributes . Bad bg control will make eveyr4thing worse in your life, fact. Viagra, works as Across your whole body. Not just your penis, and has side effects , and for me produces no real effect,. As such the risk reward ratio is pretty poor. So fact it’s not worth using for me .

What treatment works best for people ?

Seeing life with a new perspective , from the place I am, where can I go .

I understand up to 70% of diabetic men can suffer so why not ?

Every time I mention it, it's like pushing an ejector button.

What I want to know is, can it improve ..?

What treatment works best for people ?
 

Iain Mac

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all

I agree there's a tendency for this to be a bit of a taboo subject, however, that said, my experience of GP support has been positive along with pharmacist advice too. I'm late onset insulin dependent diabetic, diagnosed aged 58 and have been on insulin for 4 years now.

I had a period in my early 50's when erectile dysfunction first reared its head for a period; at that point a low dose of Viagra resolved the probem. About 2 years ago the ED returned and my GP has been great in discussing various treatment options with me starting with the obvious one of viagra prescription. I started on 50mg which has been increased to 100mg, and this works for me.

Spontaneity is a challenge (we all know it takes circa 30 minutes to work) and I sometimes misjudge the situation lol Controlling blood sugar is pretty vital - I find below 4 and much above 11 really means its a waste to take viagra; my HbA1c is usally around 55/58 (checked 6 monthly) although it recently rose to 64. I gym exercise at least twice a week and try for 3 times - on the weeks when I don't manage to exercise I do find blood sugars and ED are adversely affected.

Honest and open discussions with partner really help too, planning "date nights", trying different things and I need more foreplay too. I'm not sure it will improve to the point were I'm "fully restored" but I'm certainly adapting behaviours to cope.

Tigger
 

DR_Hornet

Member
Messages
19
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi all, I’ve had ED for 12 years and nothing I have been given seems to work.
Doc does not seem interested as it’s not medical, my prostate cancer doc has brought it up but I don’t hold much hope.
I just don’t feel like a man anymore more ,more of a waste of space.

Don’t despair. I’ve suffered the same problem and totally understand. Pills don’t work for me but I have found that an injection into the penis of Caverject really does work.

It sounds horrific but actually it’s not that bad and the result is having sex, which is always nice!! The injection it’s self is easy and painless. It’s not something I do on a regular basis but about once a month or less. The medicine is provided free on the NHS. You may need to see a specialise to show you how to do the injection and to work out the required does but speak to your GP about it.

Hope that helps.
 
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TedW84

Newbie
Messages
1
I understand up to 70% of diabetic men can suffer so why not ?

Every time I mention it, it's like pushing an ejector button.

What I want to know is, can it improve ..?

What treatment works best for people ?
I have been diagnosed Type 2 for about 15 years now, and dealing with ED slightly longer than that. I came up with something a few years ago that works perfect for me and haven’t used any of the other methods since. I take a normal size handkerchief and fold it opposite corners to make a big triangle. Then along the long side I fold it over about 1/2”. I keep folding it until the whole thing is like a flat rope. Once that’s done I tie it with a 1/2 knot around the base of my penis below the balls and tighten it until the blood starts engorging my penis. It works really fast if you’re already aroused. The 1/2 knot stays at the exact tightness you choose because the material is so soft. And the softness is comfortable. I tried other materials with zero success. I can’t imagine as much comfort with the steel and leather “rings” I’ve seen advertised online. Almost immediately my erection is bigger than my pre-ED days. Then I approach my wife and see if she’s interested. If yes, she usually wants 5 to 10 minutes to get ready. I loosen the 1/2 knot while I’m waiting. It won’t loosen on its own. I re-tighten it when she’s ready and at 64 years old we have the best sex I’ve had my whole life! I call it the “Teddychief” TM.