How Does Diabetes Cause Impotence?

Introduction

According to the American Diabetes Association, as many as 23.6 million people in the United States suffer from diabetes, which is a disease that can affect the levels of glucose in the bloodstream. This is largely due to its ability to compromise the body's ability to produce or metabolize insulin. Over time, diabetes can do damage to the blood vessels of the body. This eventually can leads to problems with impotence.

Cholesterol

According to the American Heart Association, one condition that is often associated with diabetes is problems with cholesterol. High levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol can lead to the dilation of blood vessels. High cholesterol can also lead to fat deposits forming inside the artery walls. This can make it difficult for the blood to rush into the penis to achieve an erection.

High Blood Pressure

As many as two out of three adults with diabetes also have high blood pressure, according to the American Diabetes Association. High blood pressure contributes to impotence by potentially damaging blood vessels in the penis. High blood pressure can place too much strain on the artery walls causing damage. This damage can later block blood flow into and out of the penis.

Glucose Damage

One of the most dangerous factors of diabetes is that it causes sustained and elevated levels of glucose in the bloodstream. The presence of too much glucose in the blood over time can damage blood vessels and the nerves surrounding them. An erection depends on both the blood vessels of the penis and the surrounding nerves to perform correctly.

Nitric Oxide

Any damage to the blood vessels (as seen in many cases of diabetes) can prevent nitric oxide from being released into the bloodstream. Nitric oxide is a crucial element to obtaining an erection as it tells the smooth muscle of the penis to relax enough to allow blood flow into the tissue. Without nitric oxide, the blood vessels remain constricted, and blood flow to the penis is affected.

References

• American Heart Association
• American Diabetes Association
• ADA: High Blood Pressure