Diabetes: A General Overview

Diabetes is associated with increased amounts of sugar in the blood stream. This is due to the body’s inability to utilize or produce insulin. The hormone insulin is responsible for maintenance of proper blood sugar levels, as it converts sugars and starches into energy. Exact causes of diabetes remain unknown, but there are many factors, both environmental and genetic, that have been correlated to increase overall risk of diabetes development.

Anatomy: Erection Development

In order to effectively understand and treat erectile dysfunction, it is essential to understand some of the scientific concepts of how an erection develops. The penis is comprised of three main sections of spongy tissue; two chambers of corpus cavernosum and one chamber of corpus spongiosum.

The corpus spongiosum contains the urethra which is responsible for urine and sperm release. These chambers of corpus cavernosum contain numerous arteries, veins, muscle tissue chambers (each wrapped in a tissue sheath), and nerve endings that in combination are primarily responsible for the erection.

Upon stimulation, the brain sends nerve impulses to the penis, causing dilation of arteries, relaxation of smooth muscle, allowing blood to flow into the empty spaces. It is the thin tissue sheath that is responsible for the maintenance of an erection. The sheath traps blood in the empty smooth muscle spaces of the penis by stopping the exit of blood by pressing on the veins resulting in an erection.

Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction: The Link

Studies have shown that men with diabetes are over twice as likely to have difficulties with erectile dysfunction. The increased levels of blood sugars of diabetics are associated with nerve damage. Effective sexual responses are dependent upon nerve signaling. Diabetics are also associated with increased incidence rates of high blood pressure. High blood pressure damages arteries. Healthy arteries are necessary for efficient blood flow.

High cholesterol levels are also common in diabetics. High cholesterol levels interfere with the capability of arteries to dilate. Efficient artery dilation is critical for an erection. Erectile dysfunction can also be a psychological disorder. The negative connotations normally associated with erectile dysfunction are sometimes difficult to ignore. While erectile dysfunction is a physical problem, the possibility of an erection vastly decreases without the proper state of mind.

Lowered Sex Drive Caused by Diabetes?

While men have increased rates of erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes, there is also a correlation between diabetes and decreased sex drive in women. Sex is dynamic for most women, typically fulfilling not only physical but mental needs. Sex is accompanied by individual preferences, and therefore low sex drive can be rather hard to define.

Hypoactive sex drive is currently defined as the persistent absence of interest in sexual activity. Diabetes causes fluctuations in blood sugar levels, vastly affecting normal emotional systems, which could potentially induce the lowering of the desire for sex.

Possible Treatment Methods

There are numerous methods for effective treatment of sexual health problems in both men and women. Two major controllable factors that influence sexual health include:

• A Healthy Diet

• Regular Exercise

There are many benefits to healthy eating, including increased sexual health. A healthy diet ensures proper nutrient requirements and enhances overall health. In conjunction with a healthy diet, regular exercise is also associated with an increase in sexual health. Together, proper diet and exercise ensure maintenance or improvement of cholesterol levels and blood pressure, allowing for normal blood flow.

There are other controllable characteristics that are known to show improvement in overall sexual health of both sexes including:

• Take Control of your Diabetes: Diabetes is a condition based on sugar intake. By following a regular diet and exercise plan, it is usually possible to take control of your sugar levels, increasing overall general health and decreasing damages to arteries and veins.

• Visit your Physician: Diabetes is caused by a variety of factors, not all controllable by lifestyle and dietary changes. Your physician may be able to prescribe or provide further information on proven methods for control of your diabetes. Your physician may also be able to make further recommendations about erectile dysfunction and decreased sex drive.

http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/guide/diabetes-impotence
http://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/115/111956.htm