Erectile Dysfunction (ED) can occur due to various reasons. One of the main reasons for ED is Diabetes. In fact, many a times, a male consults a medical practitioner for Erectile Dysfunction which actually leads to a diagnosis of diabetes.

Erectile dysfunction or ED is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. ED can result in a total inability to get an erection, the ability to get an erection is inconsistent or a person can get an erection only for a short duration.

In the United States, an estimated 30 million males suffer from some form of ED. Erectile Dysfunction can be because of psychological or physical causes.

Around 10 to 20 percent of ED are caused by psychological reasons like anxiety, depression, stress, low self-esteem, guilt and fear of sexual failure.

Physical reasons include damage to nerves, arteries, smooth muscles, and fibrous tissues, often as a result of disease, is the most common cause of ED. Diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, vascular disease, and neurologic disease account for about 70 percent of ED cases.

Around 50 percent of men with diabetes experience ED within 10 years of diagnosis. Diabetes causes problems of blood flow and nerve damage in the penis just as it causes blood vessel and nerve damage in different parts of the body.

Diabetes also causes complications like coronary artery disease (CAD), Cholesterol and high blood pressure. All these complications also lead to erectile dysfunction on their own but combined with diabetes, there are higher chances of getting ED.

Certain medications that you take for blood pressure or other antidepressants are also known to cause ED. You need to consult with your doctor, if you suspect ED.

Some form of ED can be treated through simple lifesytle changes, by quitting smoking, losing body weight or increasing your physical activity through some form of exercise.

Certain well known prescription medications that are used to treat ED are Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. All these medications work the same way by increasing the blood flow to the penis. You need to take these medicines around half an hour before sexual intercourse and they are generally effective for around 4 to 5 hours.

These prescription medications do have serious side effects. So, discuss your complete medical history with your doctor along with all the medications that you take and let the doctor decide the best treatment that you need to receive for your erectile dysfunction problem.

Sources:

There is an excellent article written by Debra Manzella at About.com regarding Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction.

If you need detailed information on ED, then look at the government site NIDDK, NIH.

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