Men living with diabetes may be more likely to develop erectile dysfunction (ED) than those who don't, because high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves.
"[An] erection depends upon small blood vessels that have to bring in a large volume of healthy blood... If those blood vessels are diseased, it's less likely that this process is going to work correctly," says Joseph Alukal, MD, Urologist and Associate Professor at Columbia University's Irving Medical Center and Director of Men's Health at Columbia/NewYork-Presbyterian.
Learn more about the connection between these conditions here.
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Dr. Alukal is a Urologist specializing in reconstructive urology at Columbia University's Irving Medical Center and Director of Men's Health at Columbia/NewYork-Presbyterian.
References
Evans, J. D., et al. (2015). A comparison of the available phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: A focus on avanafil. Patient Prefer Adherence.
Ferguson, J. E., et al. (2013). Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors as a treatment for erectile dysfunction: Current information and new horizons. European Urology.
Hatzimouratidis, K., et al. (2005). A comparative review of the options for treatment of erectile dysfunction. Drugs.
Mehrotra, N., et al. (2007). The role of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor therapy. International Journal of Impotence Research.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2017). Definition & facts for erectile dysfunction.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018). Diabetes, sexual, & bladder problems.
Porst H., et al. (2003). Efficacy of tadalafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction at 24 and 36 hours after dosing: A randomized controlled trial. Urology.
Qaseem, A., et al. (2009). Hormonal testing and pharmacologic treatment of erectile dysfunction: A clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine.
Rosen, R. C., et al. (1999). Development and evaluation of an abridged, 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF-5) as a diagnostic tool for erectile dysfunction. International Journal of Impotence Research.
Tsertsvadze A., et al. (2009). Oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and hormonal treatments for erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine.
Vlachopoulos, C. (2005). Prevalence of asymptomatic coronary artery disease in men with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction: a prospective angiographic study. European Urology.
Yuan, J., et al. (2013). Comparative effectiveness and safety of oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. European Urology.
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