Diabetes mellitus is the number one cause of physical impo­tence. It is a disorder in which carbohydrates are not properly used by the body. Normally, the digested sugars in food are removed from the blood and converted to glycogen by the liver. The hormone insulin, made in the pancreas, controls the blood sugar level.

With diabetes, sugars for energy are not oxidized due to lack of insulin. So the sugar level in the blood remains too high. The condition is called hyperglycemia. The excess sugar is filtered out by the kidneys, and appears in the urine. The tests for diabetes are by blood and urinalysis.

Over the years, the damage done by diabetes to most body organs is considerable. It affects the nerves, the large arteries and tiny blood vessels within the penis. As erections depend upon a healthy nerve and blood supply, diabetic impotence can set in. There is nothing wrong with the man’s testosterone output or his sex drive, but his penis cannot erect.

Mild symptoms of diabetes include tiredness, blurring of the vision or increase in appetite without any weight increase. More severe symptoms include excessive urination, thirst, hunger, and pruritis (itchy anus). Any man with these symptoms should seek medical help promptly.

A Lean Machine

At age 45, Rudi was fighting for his career. In his high profile business, the knives were out. Junior staff got pink slips. In Rudi’s age group, there was talk of “cutting the fat” by early retirement. The new corporate image was for a lean mean machine.

Rudi was becoming lean and mean. He was highly irritable, always tired, yet unable to sleep. His erections produced the “buckling effect.” He moved out of the marriage bed into the guest room. He did the stamp test to check for NPT. In his impatience, he bungled the attempt. The wretched thing slid off in the night. He felt a fool. Yet he could not, and would not, believe the problem was psychogenic.

The physician diagnosed Rudi as a “borderline” diabetic.

“I’m not thirsty,” Rudi objected. It was all he knew of the symptoms. “My – er, impotence? Is it from borderline diabetes?”

“You are not impotent,” the physician was firm. “When a man is in reduced physical health; when he is under mental stress at work; when his erections are less than satisfactory and give con­cern – we don’t categorize causes. It’s probably some of each. We will find out, once you begin therapy.”

He continued, “In borderline diabetes, blood-sugar levels can be controlled by diet and exercise programs. Medication may be required to stimulate your own production of insulin. You must take your condition seriously. If you neglect only one aspect, the slow yet lethal effects of uncontrolled diabetes may kill you; they will almost certainly destroy your potency.”

“Fortunately, you came at the primary stage. Early therapy prevents heart disease, stroke, blindness, gangrene, kidney failure. .. I don’t wish to alarm you but some men get careless once their energy level returns. They neglect the diet and exercise programs. Avoid this.”

“You’ve got me hooked,” Rudi spoke with fervor. “Is this thing I inherited. What about my son?”

“There is a predisposition in families, yes. However, Type 1 diabetes is different. It occurs in childhood up to about age 25. It is called juvenile or sudden onset diabetes because it happens very suddenly and the symptoms are unmistakable. You have Type 2 diabetes. It occurs mainly in older men. At age 45, you are rather young. The symptoms often go unnoticed because they progress slowly. They start with a slight decline in rigidity but if penetra­tion is possible, this is put down to the aging process. By 18 months, however, the decline is noticeable. Ejaculation occurs, but not every time. If orgasm feels good, the sex drive remains high. If the doctor is consulted about the decline, the man may mention he feels tired or irritable. All the symptoms of diabetes are present, but have gone unrecognized.”

Rudi reckoned he had been saved from a fate worse than death. For that is how he perceived his potency loss. He decided to take early retirement, invest his savings in real estate, and paint. He had always wanted to paint.

Diabetes Self Help

Diabetes is a fairly common disorder worldwide. Some two million U.S. men suffer from it, and over 50 percent have diabetic impotence. The greater the age, the higher the risk. Estimates suggest that at age 50 plus, there is a 50-75 percent chance of impotence. At ages 20 to 49, there is a 25-30 percent chance. Diabetes occurs more often in minority and low-income groups. It also favors obese men with diets rich in sugars and fats.

From a potency aspect alone, whether diabetic or not, any overweight man should improve his diet, increase his level of exercise and reduce his weight.

When diabetes is first diagnosed, especially for a younger man, the shock can be shattering. Believe that this shock can be ab­sorbed. Keep in mind diabetes is not a stable condition. It can remit, then relapse, then remit again. Potency can return at vary­ing times. If love-making stops, these times are missed.

Expect to experience rage and pain at the damage to sexual manhood. This is a natural response. Yet try to avoid empowering these negative emotions to block arousal. Increase and enhance other love-making skills. If desired, seek counseling for further techniques. Above all, avoid despair; do not give up hope. There is too much at stake.

A diabetic man does not produce less testosterone. Nor is his sex drive impaired, unless the diabetes makes him feel ill. Sexually speaking, there is nothing wrong with him. He would be potent if it were not for the disorder. For this reason, there is no need to feel less masculine, less virile, in any way less of a man. In many cases, a penile implant puts things right.

Before the discovery of insulin, diabetes was fatal. And there is no cure as yet; the “yet” denotes there is reason for hope. When medical science turns its mighty weight and resources on a disor­der, all sufferers everywhere have reason for hope. Apart from self help, consider social help. A local diabetic club needs help with its support programs. For example, a small boy gains enormously in courage, endurance and self-esteem when shown how to manage his insulin shots by an adult male with the same disorder, one who really understands how he feels.

If this is inappropriate, consider the deployment of other skills. Help organize publicity campaigns to raise much-needed research funds. The more a community knows of diabetes, the more gener­ously it will give of its funds. And the more funds for research, the sooner the chance a cure may be found.