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male
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anonymous
writes: I'm an otherwise healthy male, but just been diagnosed as diabetic!I think of myself as generally healthy, I'm careful what I eat. wholefoods, veg, etc., I'm not over weight at all, I exercise either a 2 hour work out in the gym or 50 lengths of the swimming pool five times a week. I walk everywhere. Went to the doctor because I had thrush, which in its self is unusual, though I've just started a new relationship. Urine test showed glucose in my urine, a blood test confirmed diabetes. I'm 48.Does this mean gradual or fast physical decline, and inevitiable impotency. Reply to this Question
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Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, Toria +, writes (29 September 2006):
 The reasons why men with diabetes are more prone to problems with impotence are not fully understood. Some people with diabetes suffer from hardened arteries. This may contribute to impotence by restricting the flow of blood to the penis. Nerve damage, another problem for people with diabetes, may also contribute to impotence.
If blood glucose levels are kept in the normal range, it will help reduce the chance of these problems occurring.
Impotence is a common problem for men and there are many effective treatments available for impotence if impotence was something you came to suffer from, although impotence may not necessarily be something you come to suffer from as many diabetics don't.
Hope this helps :o)
A
male
reader, Yos  +, writes (29 September 2006):
 It's not inevitable. My father is a diabetic and managed to have a new family at a very late age.
The majority of damage done from diabetes is due to fluctuations in your blood sugar level. These cause cell damage and the like. The best thing you can do to avoid the side effects is to monitor your blood sugar very closely and use smaller amounts of insulin more frequently (as well as larger when you eat), plus eat carbs when needed to keep your blood sugar at as constant a level as possible. Your doctor should be able to tell you how to do this, and also at what level you should keep your blood sugar. To start with it means a lot of blood testing but over time you will probably find that you can just instincively tell what level your blood sugar is at and act accordingly.
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A
female
reader, Juliette  +, writes (29 September 2006):
 Apparently, 50% of diabetic men will become 'impotent', but good control of your diabetes should mean a reduction in risk. Look at the Diabates UK website for the best advice on diabetes in general. Your doctor or nurse should be giving you advice on these issues also. The fact that you developed thrush (this does not apply to all women with thrush)would imply that your diabetes may be initially out of control but this should be checked regularly so your progress can be monitored. There are other risk factors in addition to impotence such as eye and kidney problems, loss of sensation in feet and greater risk of amputations. OK this is frightening, but now is the time to look after yourself and if you are already doing that, make sure you are registered with a GP who pro-actively looks after patients. GP practices now get paid more money if their diabetics are well-controlled, but this does not mean they give you enough education to understand why you need to do things. As for impotence, the main issue you are concerned about, if you don't have it now, you have a good chance you will be OK but there are also medicines for blood presssure that can also cause impotence as a side effect. It is great that you are keeping fit and taking care so I hope everything goes OK for you.
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A
male
reader, CRS698 +, writes (29 September 2006):
 Hi, I'm diabetic too (insulin dependent), i was diagnosed about 10 years ago (I'm now 41)and doing fine,no problems.
It certainly doesn't have to mean a decline in any way, as long as you take the condition seriously and try your best to control it.
You have it because the gene is in your family, its hereditary.
As long as you keep to your healthy lifestyle and try to keep a good balance between your blood sugar and food intake you will be fine.
The complications we all know about are caused in the most part by people not keeping control of it which causes damage to blood vessels etc.
If you need anymore information please feel free to send me a message.
All the best.
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