About 70 percent of the patients with diabetes have erectile dysfunction, which is the inability to have or maintain an adequate erection that allows the sexual relationship to be carried out, said the head of the Urology Division of the Manuel Gea González General Hospital,Carlos Pacheco.
He said that there are men who do not know that they are diabetic and their first symptom is erectile dysfunction due to arterial irrigation problems, because diabetes mellitus is a serious risk factor.
The specialist explained that diabetes is a pathology that affects all body systems, is slow, silent and mortal.
Other causes that cause erectile dysfunction are: smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction, inappropriate life styles and arterial hypertension.
It can occur at any time in adult life, however, in Mexico about 55 percent of men, from 40 years of age suffer some degree of erectile dysfunction, because the presence of chronic-degenerative problems increases.
This condition - he said - must be taken as a couple problem because they both suffer, and although sexual relations are part of the well -being, men take up to six months to accept it and more time to request help from the specialist.
Carlos Pacheco stressed that it is a disease that can be prevented if life styles are modified, alcohol, tobacco and drug consumption are avoided and exercise is practiced.
He explained that dysfunction is classified as mild, moderate and severe.This depends on the type of treatment that must be applied, which can be from oral medications, vacuum devices, direct injections to the penis and, as a last resort, prostheses placement.
"Before thinking about the type of treatment to be received, it is essential to recognize that there is a problem of dysfunction and go to the doctor to prevent the quality of life of patients from being affected."
On the other hand, he recommended that men go to medical check -ups from 40 years of age, especially if there is a family history with prostate cancer.Otherwise, he said, they must visit the Urologist annually from 45 years.