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Men - Are you embarrassed to post on sexual problems related to diabetes ?

eddie1968

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,661
Location
Dumbarton, Scotland
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Pasta, sorry to me it's vile, yeuch lol (and full of nasty carbs)
Hi. Just have this feeling that men seem to be reluctant to post and ask questions on sexual problems and advice/solutions. I myself have had erectile problems and low Testosterone levels due to diabetes.

I reckon this is a very under reported issue on DCUK and maybe it's because females are more likely to feel comfortable talking about this (I could be wrong - it's all perception).

I've been on this forum for two years now and it's just something I thought about and I know it can cause a lot of serious problems for men.

Anybody agree or disagree ? I just want to test the waters.

Thanks
Edward.
 
Not embarrassed at all but that's because I now accept the condition. My boozy, gluttonous, diabetic life means I can stop worrying about sexual matters. I offer this info which I just found by Googling.

"Diabetes: Diabetes is a major cause of erection problem. Between 35 and 50% of men with diabetes experience erectile dysfunction and 50% of all diabetic men become impotent after age 50. The disease can damage blood vessels and nerve tissues. Both may have an effect on erection. High levels of blood sugar associated with diabetes often damage small blood vessels and nerves throughout the body, which can impair nerve impulses and blood flow necessary for erection."

So it's goodbye from me and it's goodbye from him. At 73 I can't pull 'em anyway.

https://www.urologyteam.com/male-impotence-or-erectile-dysfunction
 
There was a recent thread on such problems and it got no replies which I found disappointing for the OP. I hope someone PMed him and that he did get some advice in the end.

It's good of you to,start this topic @eddie1968 and I hope it encourages other people to post and reply to posts.
 
I've seen a few posts over the years and replied to one or two so I hope people post if they have a problem. Apart form the obvious Viagra (but Sildenafil is better?) it is always worth trying a soft ring. I use one from time to time and it works. It shouldn't be left on too long and you need to choose a suitable size. PM me if you want to know at least one supplier.
 
It was something I was told about from an early age and has been a driver to maintain decent hba1cs and levels. So far the only issues I've had have been psychological and I'm trying very hard to keep it that way!
 
britishpub said:
What problems am I likely to experience, as so far none have been noticeable ?
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Looking at the Hba1c's you are able to achieve you may never experience problems due to diabetes. Other causes are available.

We are told repeatedly about neuropathy. It's feet first and then eyes etc. but the one nobody mentions is autonomic neuropathy the first sign of which seems to be ED for at least 50% of us according to my quote in post #2. It also seems to precede the other two.

What a great incentive to look after your health?

I am curious to know what on earth you did to get an Hba1c of 88. I feel I've missed out.
 
I experienced an unusual phenomenon at 44 which was I totally lost interest in sex and women very suddenly and persisted for a long time. It even contributed to a break up of a relationship. I also had problems getting/maintaining an erection and couldn't achieve an orgasm.

I was tried on sildafenil but didn't do much and was referred to a Consultant Urologist. I had two first thing in the morning blood tests to check my Testosterone levels which turned out to be extremely low. I was started on Tostran 2% testosterone gel (can only be prescribed by a consultant) and used it for 3 years and my levels returned to normal and all my sexual dysfunction disappeared.

Turned out to be a very easy fix but took ages for me to even mention it to my GP, felt like a confessional but he treated me like a man and was really good and supportive. My Urologist said it is common in diabetics.

Well I can now get back to Saturday Night Fever antics lol.
 
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I used to get asked by the doc every time I went for a consultation if I had problems in that area after I hit a certain age.. Around the mid 30s? I always said no.. "Technically" I never have had an ED problem.
Truth was even in my youth. I could never feel a lot unless I used a ribbed condom. But even back then without the aforementioned aid my partners burned out long before i did..
Sounds like a brag?! What the hell can I say to a poster regarding a thread like this..?
I don't suffer neuropathy either. So do I put it down to diabetes. Or just the way I am..?

Some would titter & say lucky girl.. Nope, it can evoke "inadequacies" in the partner when they can't keep up... Certainly not what I wanna deal with at the end of the night!

So yarp, I've learned it's a lot easier being in a "cover band" than singing yer own tunes.. Not everybody can handle a "concept album"..

I've never found it appropriate to "talk about it" on any thread that has cropped up...
 
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I just looked to see what this site says about the subject.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-erectile-dysfunction.html

If up to 75% of men with diabetes have a problem and only a few reply here then the answer to the title of this thread must surely be Yes they are too embarrassed to talk about it.

I think that piles fall into a similar category in that there seems to be a large number of people suffering from them and won't go to the doctor. There was a TV documentary which said that some young men die with testicular cancer because they would not see a doctor.

It must be a social attitude problem where people are brought up to think that it's wrong to talk about what goes on inside their boxers.
 
Maybe us men are less educated too, roughly similar numbers of prostate cancer vs breast cancer diagnoses each year but women are way more likely to recognise symptoms and see a doctor. It's so unnecessarily.
 
Lol, I don't mind discussing the subject, but I will admit that sometimes people can get a bit too descriptive which creates very unpleasant images in my head.

As far as statistics, I don't read much into them for the most part. You have to consider that most people that join this forum are taking a proactive approach to their diabetes. I would imagine the statistics for this group are much more optimistic.
 
Yes, I do find it embarrassing; much more so that talking about diet, exercise and the like. [It makes me feel vulnerable.]

This may be because I am relatively fit and within the "normal" weight range.

I suspect that many find it hard to admit to weight problems where they feel that the world may criticise them and claim it is their fault.

ED is not unique to diabetes, just more common. So it is difficult to know if the onset of ED is due to diabetes or just one of those ageing things.

In may particular case I have lost the desire for sex, which makes things like a partial erection (which can be addressed by drugs or just non-penetrative sex) a second line problem.

I have been tested for testosterone levels (within normal range) and thyroid function (within normal range) so there is no obvious cause apart from age and general T2. My HbA1c wanders around between 6 and 7 so not brilliant but not super bad either. I drink alcohol (which may be another contributory cause) but I am on the wagon for a week or so whilst I try and trim the weight back a bit.
 
Well about five of them are so far including one from the colonies.
 
LittleGreyCat said:
I drink alcohol (which may be another contributory cause) but I am on the wagon for a week or so whilst I try and trim the weight back a bit.
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I remember Dr. Mike Smith saying that drink will cause it and I am beginning to think that it might be a contributory factor in the diabetes too. I forgot to say that I have drunk my share in my time and by coincidence am on the wagon this week since I am working on a roof and you have to be careful.
 
TorqPenderloin said:
Lol, I don't mind discussing the subject, but I will admit that sometimes people can get a bit too descriptive which creates very unpleasant images in my head.
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Maybe that's it. We think subjectively and not objectively. How do we all feel about teeth which are at the other end of the body?
 
I am 58 and with no partner because of df and not likely to get one,ive tried everything but nothing works so that's that.
 
mrroderickdhu said:
I am 58 and with no partner because of df and not likely to get one,ive tried everything but nothing works so that's that.
Click to expand...
Yes that probably is that but it will take a while for the brain to accept it. The mind is willing but the flesh is weak. It gets easier when you accept that there is no point worrying about it.
 
I guess it's not a need in the same way sight, or having both feet are. I have been asked in the surgery about ED, and quipped back, Can I have that as well as impotence? I too am of an age where it is no longer that important to me. I think Mrs Walnut Face will be more than happy come that time
 
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