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What Causes Erectile Dysfunction Inspite Of Having Diabetes?

Posted on Mon, 12 May 2014

Question: am 23 years of age, I have type 1 diabetes since 8 years and am on insulin. I have my sugar in control and maintain a very healthy lifestyle. Recently ( been 2 days) i have noticed not having my regular hard morning erections. Also, like in the past i used to get aroused really easily and now i feel suddenly within these past two days my arousal rates have dropped. This is becoming a very stressful situation. i get hard when i make an attempt. but the erections seem less hard than before.

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: It's only two days. Don't worry Detailed Answer: Hello , Good day. You have mentioned that your blood glucose is well controlled. There are several reasons for erectile dysfunction. MAny antihypertensive pills can cause this. Are you on any anti hypertensive pill ? Are you stressed these days? Stress is another major factor affecting erection. Do you smoke or take alcohol? Any amount of smoking and excessive alcohol intake can cause erectile dysfunction. How is your shaving frequency now? Do you think that body hair has reduced ? Do you have good sexual thoughts ? As you know that Type 1 Diabetes is an auto immune condition and occasonally there can be low testosterone asssociated with it ( Hypogonadism). Do you have any altered sensation in feet ? Neuropathy is another cause of erectile dysfunction. I have listed possible causes. But please don't worry. Its only since last 2 days. Not everybody will have good erections on all days. It may be one of your bad days. Wait for few days. Relax. If still things are not improving, then we need to investigate. In that case,you might need to see an endocrinologist who can examine you and advice investigations. Regards Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (18 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXXX I have been having lack of sleep lately and no i do not smoke or drink, and yes in regards to sexual thoughts i do have them and when i have them in discussion with my partner via texts i have a erection. Also, i have started taking enzyte which is a natural viagra if you may have heard of it. i started taking desiccated liver tabs from universal for my workouts, but its main constituents are amminos both essential and nonessential but i stopped taking them since this problem started. also while searching for answers online, i came across my symptoms laying in the area due to lack of sleep. i have been feeling tired, losing lack of reality and lately this erection problem has added to it.

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (6 hours later)

Brief Answer: Try meditation and relaxation techniques... Detailed Answer: Hi, Lack of sleep defenitly can cause this problem. Aminoacid supplements are okay and they don't cause erectile dysfunction. However, if you had steroids for body building, that could cause this. You need to relax and take things easy now. Try Meditation as well. If things don't improve, then I will order for thyroid function test ( FT4 and TSH) as well as Prolactin. As you are having normal sexual thoughts, checking the levels of Testosterone (male hormone) may not be necessary at this stage. Beleive me, not everybody gets early morning erections on a daily basis. You should certainly wait for few days. Searching Google often leads to confusion and further worries. Regards Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (26 minutes later)

I havent taken any steriods on the fear of the same. And i surely will start meditation as well and let you know of the progress, thank you.

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Very good Detailed Answer: It is a good decision to start meditation. I wish you all the best. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need any clarifications

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (9 hours later)

Hi XXXXXXX One more query, should i continue taking enzyte which is a natural male enhancement pill or should i take something like horny goat weed

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (36 hours later)

Brief Answer: Please consult a naturopathy doctor regardin Enzyt Detailed Answer: Hi Goodday. Enzyte is claimed to be a natural male enhancement pill which contain horny goat weed and potency wood. These stuff are not "text book recommended choices" in dealing with erectile dysfunction and a doctor like myself working in modern medicine will not be able to comment on the efficacy and safety of these pills. You may consult a naturopthy doctor to enquire about same. Sorry to say that i have absoutly no experience regarding the safety profile o these pills Regards Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (38 hours later)

Hello doctor, I have been getting more sleep, and i did have a morning erection yesterday but not today. To add to it i have had few erections in the day and could masturbate too. Is it a worrisome situation because i am not having morning erections?

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer: No need to worry Detailed Answer: Hi Good day If you had satisfactory erections over the day, then there is nothing to worry about. As i mentioned earlier, not everyone get early morning erections daily. Relax and just divert your mind away from it. Go for a good vaccation and and then you will find the difference. We will have to investigate you if the problem persists. Regards Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (6 minutes later)

Thanks a lot for your reply doctor. I really appreciate your detailed advice.

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (11 hours later)

Brief Answer: You wil be okay Detailed Answer: Hello, Good day. Not to worry. One important piece of advice is to keep your blood glucose under good control. Please don't smoke. Regards Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (22 hours later)

Hello Doctor, Sadly i feel my case is getting worse. I have started experiencing burning sensation with left testicular pain.My sex drive is perfect according to me but my erections today were really weak. I got turned on with my partner (we have a long distance relationship) but for the first time i couldn't get hard. When i did and masturbated it was sort of a burning and discomforting ejaculation. And even when i have a hard on, i fell my penis has gone thinner than before. I cannot explain how stressful this is, my long distance partner is worried too. and i am more worried because i want to have a normal life, a normal sex life, and normal future married life with her which has kids down the line too. i don't get what is the problem. honestly i have always had a sex drive way beyond average, i always attributed it to me having more testosterone and because i was more hairy than average men. but this is shocking, i am just 23 and this is disheartening and very worry causing.

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (25 hours later)

Brief Answer: Please see a doctor ASAP for testicular pain Detailed Answer: Hello, Good day and Happy Easter. Sorry for the delay in reply. The burning sensation in testes can be due to many issues. It could be just tight inner wear. Problems like ureteric stones, infections and torsions etc can also cause pain. If you have testicular pain, please meet a doctor soon. He need to examine you and then probably an ultrasound also is required. Don't delay in seeking medical advice. If you are quite worried about erection, the best thing is to investigate. If your blood sugars are okay, then you can check your fasting Testosterone, Prolactin and Thyroid function test. If the Testosterone is low, we may need additional tests. In type 1 diabetes, sometimes, autonomic neuropathy can cause erectile problems. It is unlikely in your case, but need to be considered. As I can see, you are very worried. In that case, the best thing is to consult your regular endocrinologist. He will examine you and arrange for investigations. And again, regarding the testicular pain, please see a doctor ASAP. Regards Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (8 hours later)

Thank you doctor. I took an appoitnment with a urologist, i hope eveything goes well and its something minor. Thank you for your expert advice and concern that you continued to show on every query of mine. I really appreciate it all and very grateful for it as well. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Wish you all the best Detailed Answer: No worries. Let us hope for the best. I wish you all the best and a happy life Regards XXXXXXX

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj