Also, alcohol may present a special erection threat to diabetic men. Researchers have found that the more alcohol a diabetic man drinks, the more he increases his chances of losing potency.

Cigarettes have a similar effect. Diabetic men may be particularly susceptible to the negative effects of smoking on erection. One study evaluated 30 diabetic men, all with erection problems. Ten smokers were instructed only not to smoke. Ten smokers were given medication to improve blood flow, and also told to cut out smoking. And 10 nonsmokers took medication.

Those who quit smoking and took their medication did the best. Almost half of the men treated this way, when retested for sleep erections, were found to be normal.

And three out often diabetic men who did nothing but quit smoking found themselves with adequate erections.

It is important to realize that, without proper tests and evaluation, you cannot assume that your disease is the cause of the problem. Certainly for some diabetic men erection problems are not linked to their disease, as was demonstrated by a study done at Loyola University’s Sexual Dysfunction Clinic. Out of 27 diabetic men with erection problems who underwent sex therapy with their wives, 22 were able to have intercourse just a few weeks after beginning treatment. (Some experienced this welcome change in just the first two weeks.) While it is true that this particular group of diabetic men may have been in better control of their disease than some others, clearly the study director, Domeena C. Renshaw, M.D., is correct in stating that “diabetic impotence is not always due to diabetes.” If a man convinces himself that he will develop sexual problems, he may talk himself into having them, physical factors or no. For many patients, sex therapy can be very helpful whether they have a physical condition to blame or not. And men who get partial erections due to physical problems can learn how to get the most out of what they have.

While there are no magic potions to cure diabetes-caused potency problems, there are some treatments that are frequently effective. Penile implants, penile shots, medications, and sex therapy (all discussed in later chapters) have been used with good success. And in the future, some medicines may be able to improve the way damaged nerves work and possibly help some diabetic men. Currently under investigation, these drugs are not commercially available. Trials at several major medical centers are underway to test just how effective they are.

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Related Posts:

• CONTRACEPTION AFTER CHILDBIRTH – THE IMMEDIATE PUERPERIUM (INTRODUCTION)
• THE SECOND BABY – GRADUAL PROGRESSION
• COUNSELLING THE PATIENT WITH THE UNPLANNED PREGNANCY – GENERAL INFORMATION
• CARE OF THE YOUNGER PATIENT – SEXUAL INTERCOURSE FOR A GIRL
• THE IMPORTANCE OF MOTHERS – MISS C. (INSTANCE)
• POTENCY IMPROVING: SELF-HELP PROGRAM
• THE IMPLANTS SURGERY: THE POWER OF SELF-SABOTAGE
• BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA ( BPH)
• THE VIRILITY SOLUTION: THE IMMOVABLE OBJECT
• SEX AND THE OPERATING TABLE: REASON FOR THE OPERATION