The term "impotence" refers to a man's inability to achieve or maintain a penile erection. Also called erectile dysfunction, the condition is common in men with diabetes, usually due to blood vessel or nerve damage. Maintaining good control of blood glucose levels can reduce the effects of impotence. Several treatments are available; they should be used under physician guidance.
Oral Medications
Three oral medications are commonly prescribed for diabetic impotence: vardenafil hydrochloride, sildenafil citrate and tadalafil. These medicines are taken prior to anticipated sexual activity, although tadalafil may be prescribed for daily use, according to the "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide." Sexual stimulation is still required for an erection to occur while using these medications.
Vacuum Device
Vacuum devices are sometimes used to treat diabetic impotence. To use this device, the man places a hood over his penis and applies vacuum with an attached pump. The pump draws blood into the penis which makes it firm and erect. A band is then placed at the base of the penis to keep the blood in the penis. Vacuum devices cause the penis to be erect regardless of whether the man feels sexually stimulated. MayoClinic.com warns that a physician should be consulted when choosing a vacuum device as some of them may be unsafe.
Surgical Implant
When other treatments for diabetic impotence fail, a physician may recommend an implant to achieve erection. These devices are placed during a surgical procedure. They are partially rigid or inflatable. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse indicates that the partially rigid type works by altering the position of the penis to move the implanted rods, creating an erection, while the inflatable type creates an erection when the man manipulates a pump implanted in the scrotum. These implants allow a man to achieve an erection without sexual stimulation.
Prostaglandin
Prostaglandin is a hormone-like substance sometimes used to treat diabetic erectile dysfunction. The medication alprostadil is injected into the penis or placed in pellet-form into the urethra prior to desired sexual activity. Prostaglandin can create an erection in the absence of sexual stimulation, but manual stimulation in the form of touching the penis may help the medicine produce a firmer erection.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Erectile Dysfunction
- Cleveland Clinic: Sexual Dysfunction and Disease
- MayoClinic.com: Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes: Take Control Today
- "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide"; Amy M. Karch, R.N., M.S.; 2010
