Dear Doctor Okon,
I’m 57 years old and I’ve been living with diabetes for about 12 years now. I don’t have any symptoms now because I take my drugs regularly. Also, five years ago I developed high blood pressure and the doctor prescribed some drugs which I now take with the diabetes drug. My problem now has to do with my sex life. My erection is always very weak and my wife is beginning to complain. The doctor said I have a condition called “erectile malfunction” or something like that. He said it is due to my diabetes. But how can this be? I have no symptoms, I take my drugs regularly and when I check my blood sugar every morning it doesn’t go beyond 110. My BP is good too. Doctor, I’m not happy about this situation. I really want to know the cause of my weak erection and what to do about it. Could it be the side effects of both the diabetes and hypertension drugs? Please help.
Moses, Benin
Dr. Okon says:
I have to really commend you dear Moses for your consistency in taking your medications. Your adherence has given you good control for your blood pressure and glucose levels. Well done!
I do not know the exact medications you are taking as you didn’t mention them in your write up, but yes, some oral hypoglycemics and antihypertensives can have such side effects
Suffice it to mention that the disease entities themselves could have this (I mean “Erectile Dysfunction” as you described) as a complication of disease and not just drug, Sir.
Permit me to use an analogy to explain further. An engine that is 25 years old and another one that is 50 years and above cannot have the same level of function.
By definition, Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is said to occur when a man can’t get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
Erectile dysfunction can be a sign of a physical or psychological condition. It can cause stress, relationship strain and low self-confidence.
In a study conducted in 2020 and published in a British Journal online, it stated that global prevalence of ED is between 3-76.5%. Total ED increases with age, being more common between ages 40-70 years and in the presence of co-morbidities (chronic illnesses etc).
So dear Moses, this condition is fairly common, especially in the age bracket as stated above.
The doctor you met earlier had already started up a discussion with you. You can have a very healthy and happy sexual life, if you allow your doctor give you the right counselling and management.
You will be glad you did.
Ime
Do you have a health problem? Write now in confidence to imeokon@nigeriahealthonline.com for an advice or simply visit www.nigeriahealthonline.com to chat with Dr. Ime Okon.