Erectile Dysfunction (ED), which is the inability to get or maintain an erection, is common in men with various medical conditions, including diabetes.

While ED and diabetes are two separate conditions, they are often interrelated due to the health complications that can occur with diabetes. Specifically, to maintain an erection, you need healthy blood vessels and healthy nerves. Diabetes, however, which occurs when there is too much blood circulating in the blood stream, can damage the small blood vessels and nerves, thereby reducing the amount of blood which can flow to the penis.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that 20 to 75 percent of men with diabetes will experience some form of ED in their lifetime, with the likelihood of an occurrence increasing with age.

Besides diabetes, there are other medical conditions that interfere with the circulatory system which may lead to ED, including:

Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction

While the treatment for ED may vary, the use of additional chemical drugs to treat ED is not an option for many men. One proven form of treatment for ED which does not require the use of chemical drugs is an external vacuum appliance. Vacuum therapy is highly recommended by urologist throughout the country as being the first, safest, and most successful treatment for ED. There are no harmful side effects attributed with the use of a vacuum pump, and there is a 90% success rate regardless of whether your ED is classified as mild or severe.