It is estimated that about 35% to 75% of men with diabetes will experience at least some degree of erectile dysfunction — also called ED or impotence — during their lifetime.

Men with diabetes tend to develop erectile dysfunction 10 to 15 years earlier than men without diabetes.

What happens if you’re a smoker living with diabetes and experiencing ED?

Smoking effects erections by constricting the blood vessels while viagra works to expand the blood vessels which means the two in combination cancel each other out. In most cases, viagra is not effective at all in this situation.

This topic came up during our discussion about ED at Divabetic’s first-ever men’s outreach event, ‘Meet You At the Barbershop’ at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday, October 22, 2016.

Erectile dysfunction — the inability to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sex — is common in men who have diabetes. It can stem from problems caused by poor long-term blood sugar control, which damages nerves and blood vessels.

Sexual and urologic complications of diabetes occur because of the damage diabetes can cause to blood vessels and nerves. Men may have difficulty with erections or ejaculation. Women may have problems with sexual response and vaginal lubrication.

Talking about sexual health issues related to diabetes shouldn’t be embarrassing. In many cases, a sexual health problem is a precursor for diabetes health-related complications for both men and women.

Our ‘Meet You At The Barbershop’ panel of experts included Dr.  James Plumb MD from the Center for Urban Health, Dr. Perry Weiner, MD, Urologist Thomas Jefferson Men’s Health at the Navy Yard, Rohit Moghe, PharmD, MSPH,CDE Advanced Practice Pharmacist Medicine/Endocrine/Geriatric, David Madison, MeD, Men’s Health Educator and Reverend Clarence Pemberton, Diabetes Advocate.

FREE OUTREACH: Join us for Divabetic – Victory Over Diabetes on Saturday, November 12, 2016, 11 AM – 3 PM at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. REGISTER NOW: 1-800-JEFF-NOW