Question:
Hi! I am new to doing this so please excuse any errors. My fiance is diabetic and I have done some reading and have discovered that about 50% of diabetic men become impotent. I am concerned about this for our marriage. Can anyone shed some light on this subject? I will marry him no matter what, I don’t love him for his lack of impotency, but am curious how he can prevent it…why do some men become impotent and some don’t? Any advice, suggestions? Good for you, Heather. And tell him he’s lucky. After a long time, there’s a loss of nerves and small blood vessels in the periphery, which makes the naughty bits less sensitive and reduces circulation. Also, kidney trouble is common, and treating that often involves lowering the blood pressure back to a normal level. The medications can cause some problems with erections, too. So, take longer, suggest he not masturbate if he is having trouble, and stay in touch with his doctor. Some of us (I wonder who) have minor trouble with this, but watch our diet carefully, and take advantage of the longer time before orgasm. The immediate worry is blood sugar drops during enthusiastic "exercise" screwing up the mood, or making him act spastic and goofy (which has happened to me). I suggest combining two great tastes that taste great together to prevent this. Sex, and chocolate, in delicately balanced combinations…. Nico Garcia My opinions are my own, not MIT’s or my employer’s or my cat’s (Well, maybe my cat’s….)
Response:
I don’t love him for his lack of impotency, but am curious how he can prevent it…why do some men become impotent and some don’t? Any advice, suggestions?
your questions are very good. the answers are many and varied. the impotence in diabetes may be a result of changes in blood pressure and blood flow as a result of poor blood glucose regulation. kidney failure associated with diabetes can sometimes affect the ability of a man to perform. a number of medicines prescribed to help counter diabetic complications such as anti- hypertensives or beta blockers can cause physical impotence. impotence in many diabetic men is a result of autonomic neuropathy affecting the genito- urinary tract. what can you do? a number of things. establish a pattern of eating fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. avoid fried foods and fatty meats. some people do well on a diet high in complex carbohydrates; others do better with about one-third of their calories provided by olive oil or peanut oil or rapeseed oil. these vegetable oils are monounsaturated fats. avoid saturated fats. be frugal in your use of salt and polyunsaturated fats. eat a wide variety of foods so that if dietary needs are altered by changes in kidney function there are happy times associated with the allowed foods. monitor blood glucose and adjust medicine and exercise to maintain blood glucose target ranges which allow your husband to function well. get blood panels run several times a year to check for lipid values, thyroid function and rate of glucose-bound proteins. make sure urinary proteins are checked at this time. by establishing good blood glucose regulation your husband can reduce the risk of developing serious complications. if he ever begins to show any signs of kidney disease consider getting a pump. multiple injections can provide excellent results for many diabetics. but there is a subset of diabetics who will get better control with a pump. be flexible about investigating tools for managing diabetes……your primary committment should be to support your husband’s ability to make decisions for himself. set aside time daily for exercise. let it become something as routine as taking a bath or making love or feeding the dog. walking and biking are fine activities. let him know he is cherished for his full self. make sure making love is not focused on the least lower bounds of the body. engage your minds and your imagination. that way if he cannot always perform, you still derive pleasure from each other’s presence. my husband and i both have times where we are just too tired to be trained circus creatures; our animal selves make do with purrs and carresses when exhaustion or illness or tension usurps our attention and steals our libido. tis a myth that every one else is doing it all the time and with great finesse. keep food by the bed or wherever it is you two play at love. low blood sugar can dampen enthusiasm for sex. i suggest a snack before extended interludes. collect happy memories now. my husband loves mountain views. he deals with his fear of going blind by hiking to the high points of every place he travels. sex is just one aspect of making love. love is sharing experiences….the scent of a pyramid magnolia at dusk, the lovely voice of a vasa parrot singing scales; the texture of skin warm from a bath, the exhilaration of cross-country skiing; the simplicity of sunrise. it is possible to build a sensual and responsible style of communicating with your husband so that you can be naughty and nice in public and nicely naughty in private. avoid tobacco. smokers have a much greater risk of impotence than do non-smokers. use alcohol in moderation or not at all as that too is a risk factor in developing erectile dysfunction. enjoy the days as they come to you. and remember if he tries his best and yet still develops complications that he did what he could. try to accept him as he changes with age. do not cater to his illness. love yourself enough so that if he becomes ill you are not completely invested in him. tis the art of breathing, do what fills the vessel but no more. it is hard making a marriage with anyone with a chronic illness. i deal with the fears about possible complications by doing what i can and then ignoring the what ifs and if onlys. your life may be hard or it may be rich or both. sigh. wishing you and your fiance all the best, melynda melynda reid who wears hats but does not type caps snail: p o box 378 greensboro, florida 32330
Response:
Hi! I am new to doing this so please excuse any errors. My fiance is diabetic and I have done some reading and have discovered that about 50% of diabetic men become impotent. I am concerned about this for our marriage.
I have seen figures that indicate 60% and based on the topic I question the validity of the figure. I have a sub question. Does anyone have figures on this topic based on type of Diabetes? Can anyone shed some light on this subject? I will marry him no matter what, I don’t love him for his lack of impotency, but am curious how he can prevent it…why do some men become impotent and some don’t? Any advice, suggestions?
You have answered your own question. If you plan for the posiblity that your future husband will become Impotent, then you could have a comfortable marriage. Expectations are what _you_ make them! Happy life and good health to you! 
— Just My opinion, worth the price paid and not a reflection of my employer. Grass Valley Group Inc. 916-478-3419 Voice 916-478-3887 FAX P.O. Box 1114 Grass Valley, California, 95945
Response:
Hi! I am new to doing this so please excuse any errors. My fiance is diabetic and I have done some reading and have discovered that about 50% of diabetic men become impotent. I am concerned about this for our marriage. Can anyone shed some light on this subject? I will marry him no matter what, I don’t love him for his lack of impotency, but am curious how he can prevent it…why do some men become impotent and some don’t? Any advice, suggestions? Thanks Heather — Heather Anais Sundin
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