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When Diabetes Kills Your Erection
Question:
Can a man with nerve damage from diabetes use Viagra, and will it work?
Answer:
ED is very common in men with diabetes. The reasons are complex but include
changes in both blood vessels and nerves of the penis.
The first step in handling this problem is support from a partner or spouse.
With such support, all things are possible.
There are many, many treatment options for ED in men with diabetes. Viagra is
one of the most convenient options, although it seems to many doctors to be
less effective in men with diabetes. (Nevertheless, many patients with diabetes
have excellent results with Viagra.)
Another treatment choice is injection therapy. This treatment uses a drug that
is given with a syringe and needle (very similar to a diabetes insulin
injection) directly into the erection portion of the penis. It thus places the
medication directly where it is needed and is one of the most effective methods
to treat ED. For many men with diabetes, this is an excellent treatment
choice.
Another option for men who may not desire injections is the same medication,
formulated as a pellet that is inserted into the urinary opening at the head of
the penis.
Another choice is called a vacuum erection device. This uncomplicated device
uses a clear plastic cylinder that is placed around the penis and uses a pump
mechanism to create a vacuum around the penis. The vacuum causes the penis to
become erect, and when it is suitably erect, a band is placed around the base
of the penis. The pump is then removed and intercourse performed. When done,
the band is removed and the penis returns to its non-erect form.
Finally, one of the very best choices for treatment -- often used for men who
do not respond or do not want to use these other treatments -- is placement of
a penile prosthesis.
With regard to the placement of a penile prosthesis: Hospital stay is usually
overnight or for two days. This technique has been developed extensively over
the past decades and is now very standardized. There are a number of patient
education documents available. The two largest providers of penile prostheses
are Mentor Corp and American Medical Systems. The Mentor web site
(www.mentorcorp.com/pdf/AlphaI_PatientGuide.PDF) has a patient education
document in a pdf format that has an abundant amount of information.
For a man with ED and diabetes, developing a relationship with a doctor who has
experience in offering all forms of diabetes treatment is recommended.
Urologists have a special expertise in this area and can discuss all of these
options. Some urologists specialize just in the treatment of ED and for men who
have special problems with treatment. Such a person might be able to provide
special advice and treatment.
