Anyone who pays attention to the media these days can’t help but notice the mixed messages being proliferated when it comes to weight, body image and lifestyle. On the one hand, nutritionists, fitness gurus and even politicians are joining the fight against the surging incidence of obesity – over 30% of adults in the United States are now classified as dangerously overweight – and on the other hand, self-help experts and other prominent voices promote self-affirmation and the acceptance of one’s personal physique as something unique and beautiful.

But the truth is that no matter how people choose to view the issue, the human body just was not designed to cope with the volume of fats, refined sugars and starches that are often consumed, and being overweight can cause wide-ranging health repercussions. Type 2 diabetes is recognized as a growing epidemic, and individuals who are affected may experience complications ranging from blurred vision to loss of mobility to male organ health issues and loss of reproductive function.

What is type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes is a metabolic disease which affects the body’s ability to process glucose, or blood sugar, leading to high levels of glucose in the blood. There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 is generally present from birth and results when an individual does not produce insulin, a chemical needed to metabolize blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the insulin produced by the body does not work efficiently; this condition often affects individuals who are overweight. The excess amounts of blood sugar resulting from diabetes is highly damaging to the blood vessels and nerve tissue and can have a harmful effect on all organ systems of the body.

How does diabetes affect men’s reproductive health?

The blood vessel and nerve damage related to diabetes can have a negative impact on male organ function, as well as male organ sensation and fertility.

-        Male function – Reduced blood flow resulting from damaged blood vessels can limit the ability of a man to achieve and sustain a firm male organ; in addition, diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) can disrupt the signals sent through the autonomic nervous system which trigger tumescence. Men with diabetes are significantly more likely to experience male dysfunction, and the condition is more likely to occur at a younger age.

-       Male organ sensation – As one might expect, damage to the nerve tissue of the male organ can lead to reduced sensation, diminishing the pleasurable aspect of intimacy. Men with diabetic neuropathy may find that they have to work much harder to reach the height of pleasure, and in some cases they may not be able to do so at all.

-      Retrograde release – High levels of blood glucose and the resulting damage to the neural tissue can interfere with normal release, allowing the reproductive fluids to flow into the bladder, rather than being ejected from the male organ. Many men first become aware of retrograde release when they experience fertility issues.

Can the effects of diabetes on male organ function be prevented?

Preventing the health problems that accompany diabetes requires close monitoring of blood sugar levels, as well as adhering to the treatment prescribed by a doctor. Limiting the intake of unhealthy foods, exercising regularly, losing weight and quitting smoking can all help to counter the effects of diabetes on many aspects of health, including reproductive function. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and controlling blood sugar levels may be effective in countering many of the long-term complications related to diabetes.

Self-care for men with diabetes

Men who follow their diabetes care regimen by staying fit, eating right and monitoring their glucose levels are often able to avoid or alleviate the long-term damaging effects of diabetes. In addition to these lifestyle changes, caring for reproductive health with an all-natural male organ nutrient cream (most health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) that is rich in vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids may be effective in supporting manhood nerve and circulatory health. Men with diabetes have reported beneficial effects from applying a topical male organ vitamin cream on a daily basis.