Sexual Disturbances in Male Diabetics: Phenomenological and Clinical Aspects

Sixty four consecutive male diabetics and fifty age matched controls were interrogated so as to assess their sexual functioning. Diabetics were further studied for autonomic/peripheral neuropathy, vasculopathy, retinopathy and nephropathy.Nearly three fourths (47 cases or 73.4%) of diabetics had sexual disturbances as against just 14 per cent of controls. Impotence of varying degrees was seen in 46 diabetics, three of them having premature ejaculation in addition. Only one case had premature ejaculation as the sole disturbance. The impotence was complete in two thirds of the cases and partial in the remaining one third. The disturbance in diabetics was insidious in onset and progressive in course with marked decline in frequency of sexual outlets and sexual desire. It appeared to be organic in nature in most of the cases.