Why it happens
Diabetes affects small vessels and nerves together, and both are essential for an erection. That is why erectile dysfunction appears ten to fifteen years earlier in diabetics, and responds less to tablets.
The solutions, in order
- Control glucose, blood pressure and lipids — not a slogan; it is genuinely the first treatment.
- Tablets (PDE5 inhibitors) on prescription, at the right dose and timing. They work in about half of diabetic patients.
- Local injections or a vacuum device when tablets are not enough.
- A penile implant: the definitive solution when the above fail — with very high satisfaction.
Is an implant safe with diabetes?
Yes — and it is among the most successful operations in diabetics specifically. The conditions: good glucose control before surgery (HbA1c), a strict antibiotic protocol, and close follow-up in the first weeks to reduce infection risk.
After prostate or bladder surgery
The nerves responsible for erection run beside the prostate and bladder. Erectile dysfunction after these operations is very common and rarely mentioned to the patient. Tablets help some; an implant helps almost all. One consultation, coordinated with the oncologist, is enough to know the right timing.
Common questions
Are the blue pills bad for the heart?
Not harmful to a healthy heart, but they interact with some cardiac drugs (nitrates). Prescribed after a consultation, not straight from the pharmacy.
At my age, is it over?
No. Implants are safely done in the sixties and seventies, and your wife is welcome in the consultation.
