Sexual Function in Men with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common complications of diabetes in men because of several factors including neurological, endocrine, vascular and psychological factors due to the use of medication or a combined effect of some of these factors. Male sexual dysfunction in diabetics may include erectile dysfunction (ED), ejaculatory problems and libido disorders. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in type 2diabetic men in addition to evaluate the association of effective and associated factors in these patients. Method and result: In this cross-sectional study, 101 diabetic men visiting Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Qom, Iran were evaluated. The Participants enrolled the study consecutively from November 2011 to March 2012. The 5 items form of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) was used to measure sexual dysfunction in men. The mean age of 46.65±5.39 years were evaluated. With the mean duration of 7.39±5.29 years. Of these men, 52(51.5%) had sexual dysfunction. The mean age of patients, diabetes duration, BMI, The mean HBA1c level were not statistically significant in both groups but a significance association was found between albuminuria and sexual dysfunction (p<0.001). retinopathy and diabetic neuropathy with sexual dysfunction (p=0.04 and p=0.02 respectively). Also was no statistically significant different between SD and hypertension (p=0.29). Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction is a common complication in diabetic men and should be considered by physicians. A significant association was found between erectile dysfunction and diabetic microvascular complications including nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy but sexual dysfunction was not associated with hypertension and coronary artery diseases.