For Men Only

Men with diabetes may face certain issues that are distinctly different from women. Sexual health is a major concern for men with diabetes. Discover more about how to take a proactive approach to every aspect of diabetes self-management, including your sexual well-being.

• A positive attitude can boost your sexual health. Focus on what you can enjoy rather than the things you need to avoid. The proper diet could make it possible to reduce medications you take for high blood sugar or high blood pressure, based on a doctor’s assessment and advice. As a result, you could find your sexual health also improves.
• Choose healthy foods such as four to eight servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Opt for leafy green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli. Snack on up to one cup of berries or melon daily. Include protein in your diet such as poultry, fish and lean meat. Your portions should be about the size of your hand. Add one ounce of nuts daily to ward off hunger. Choose low-fat dairy products and whole grains. All of these foods are delicious and help you avoid temptations such as packaged foods, salty snacks and sugary desserts.
• Consider a few basic rules related to your daily diet with diabetes. Never skip a meal or snack. Make time to eat breakfast – a fast breakfast can be as simple as a handful of berries and a hard-cooked egg. Add a small serving of protein to each meal such as nuts, cheese, or meat to fuel your day. Your body needs protein and carbohydrates to keep going rather than adding caffeine or sugar that can cause you to crash and have fluctuating blood sugar levels.
• Add flavor to your meals with certain condiments such as mustard and Tabasco sauce. Salads are a great choice when you select dressings with no more than 2 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Use olive and canola oils for cooking. Drink 64 ounces of water daily then treat yourself to up to two 8-ounce servings of diet soda, coffee or tea. Add a sugar substitute to your coffee or tea if you need to make it sweet. If you want to have a beer when you watch the big game, have no more than two 12-ounce servings of light beer in 24 hours.
• Include exercise in your daily routine to release endorphins that will boost your mood and reduce stress. Join the gym, jog around the block or play a game of basketball with the kids. Consider taking a yoga or tai chi class at your local community center.
• All of the healthy habits mentioned help you improve your overall well-being and minimize stress. These factors can have a positive impact on your sexual health. Diabetes can effect nerve function and blood flow to any place in your body. This can lead to erectile dysfunction. If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, talk to your doctor about it immediately. Sexual issues can indicate that you may be more likely to have heart disease. Certain medications might contribute toward the problem. The doctor may recommend a few basic lifestyle changes. Smoking is another culprit and now is the perfect time to quit.
• Men who poorly manage their diabetes are more likely to have sexual issues than men who take control. Sticking to a proactive diabetes self-management plan can help you avoid sexual issues and be more responsive to therapy. Nerve and artery damage in the genital area are a leading cause of sexual issues because the blood flow is disrupted. You are not alone because more than one-half of men who have had diabetes for a decade experience erectile dysfunction. Another possible sexual issue problem may include decreased libido also related to medication.
• Keep your diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure under control to help improve sexual issues. Your treatment options might include oral medications or mechanical methods such as an erectile dysfunction pump. Additional treatments could be surgical methods, such as a penile implant, as well as meeting with a counselor.

If you have sexual issues, you are definitely not alone. Men with diabetes have specific health concerns to address and should discuss erectile dysfunction with a medical professional right away. A few basic lifestyle changes could help.