Diabetes and Impotence are Closely Related to Each Other

A recent estimate revealed that around 50% to 60% of the diabetic patients suffer from impotence besides other complications. It shows that diabetes and impotence have close links. Clinical truth is that diabetes can lead to erectile dysfunction. However, it would be necessary to know about the complicated process of erectile functions.
Role of Anatomic Structure

Anatomic structure of a man has a major bearing on the erectile functions. Relevant facts are –

Two chambers are located side wise in the shaft of the penis of a man those are spongy tissues named corpora cavernosa;
Erections are resulted by these two tissues;
Below these two there is another chamber named corpus spongiosum; and
Urethera carrying the semen and urine runs through center of the corpus spongiosum.

Getting an Erection

Corpora cavernosa consist of small arteries as well as veins besides muscle fibers and empty spaces and the chambers are also wrapped with thin tissues. Results of getting an erection are-

Nerve signals are emitted from the brain or nerve endings to the penis;
Smooth muscles in the chambers relax and at the same time arteries open wider resulting in a rush of blood to fill those empty spaces;
Pressure of blood flow makes the tissues press veins thereby trapping the blood in the penis; and
When more blood flow is generated, the penis expands and stiffens getting the man an erection.

Back to Normalcy

At the end of the excitement, the smooth muscles contract and the pressure are taken off the veins. The blood that concentrated in the penis flows back and returns it to the flaccid state.
Effects of Diabetes

Diabetes can be considered to be a perfect storm resulting in erectile dysfunction.

Diabetes and impotence are related because many common problems relating to the disease cause erectile dysfunction; and
50 to 60 percent of diabetic patients will develop some degree of erectile dysfunction.

What Causes Impotence in Diabetics?

To know the relationship of diabetes and impotence, one has to know how it generates erectile dysfunction.

Diabetic anatomy prevents release of nitric oxide that is chemical that relaxes smooth muscles in penis and lets in blood in it and constricts blood vessels;
High blood sugar causes the blood vessels and nerve damage affecting many processes in the body including the sexual responses;
According to the American Diabetes Association found out that around 73%-75% diabetes patients have high blood pressure and take medication to prevent it but combination of diabetes with high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels reducing the blood flow;
Diabetics often have high cholesterol that dilates the blood vessels and makes fatty deposits on artery walls reducing blood flow;
Smoking and alcohol are both bad for diabetics and can lead to erectile dysfunction; and
Psychological problem of feeling bad about health is major problem of diabetes patients leading to erectile dysfunction.

Good news for diabetes patients is that the diabetes and impotence can be put at distance from each other by following a healthy life style, diet and exercise.