by Ed Bryant
The principal symptom of diabetes, type 1 or type 2, is high blood sugar. In time, excess glucose in the blood can cause damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and circulatory system. As human sexual response involves so many systems at the same time, it is not unusual to find a person with long-term diabetes experiencing sexual difficulties: ranging from diminished interest, slow response, discomfort, pain, and, for men, outright impotence. Though these problems express differently in men and women, and sexuality is the sum of many different factors, having diabetes is a major predictor of sexual difficulties, for both men and women.
Female Sexual Dysfunction
Having diabetes can interfere with a woman's participation in and enjoyment of the sex act. Diabetic complications can make sex painful and unpleasant -- and reluctance to participate can be understandable. But the culture throws negative labels around, and, traditionally, women’s sexual issues have not been addressed to the same depth as men’s issues -- so many medical professionals are less than fully "up to speed" on this subject, so less likely to ask their female patients, and only recently has the medical profession acknowledged any "female sexual dysfunction" at all -- so there is a shortage of professional expertise here. Some doctors have real difficulty separating diabetogenic (caused by diabetes) difficulties from unrelated issues. More studies, especially of women with diabetes, are urgently needed. Too many assumptions are derived from the study of diabetic men, and need to be tested.
Diabetic women, many of retirement age, were, many of them, raised in a time when "nice girls didn't talk about such things." There can be real reluctance to bring up the subject of sexual difficulties, diabetogenic or otherwise. Anna Sarkadi, MD, and Urban Rosenqvist, MD, Ph.D., in their paper: "Intimacy and Women with Type 2 Diabetes," published in The Diabetes Educator (2003), stress that both the patient and the clinician need to push for more openness and discussion.
In their book, For Women Only: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Sexual Dysfunction and Reclaiming Your Sex Life (2001 Edition), sisters Jennifer Berman, MD, and Laura Berman, Ph.D., quote a survey published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, stating that “43% of American women, young and old suffer from some sexual dysfunction (JAMA,1999)" They continue: " And yet for most of this century doctors have dismissed women’s sexual complaints as either psychological or emotional.”
The Bermans go on to state: “Many of the same health problems that cause erectile dysfunction in men, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, as well as many medications used to treat these conditions, can cause sexual dysfunction in women.” Female sexual disorders (according to the Bermans) are classified into four categories: 1) Hypoactive sexual desire disorder, 2) Female sexual arousal disorder, 3) Orgasmic disorder, and 4) Sexual pain disorders. Each disorder has different treatments (Brassil, D.F. and Lewis, J.H., 2003). Sarkadi and Rosenqvist (2003) point out that although "female orgasmic disorder" does not correlate with diabetes, #4, sexual pain often does, and it is vital for both patients and providers to overcome old reluctance, and raise the subject with each other.
Just as with men, female sexual dysfunction can result from physiological, hormonal, neurogenic or psychological causes, or a mix of the above -- and physical discomfort can engender psychological issues. Some physical causes include: pelvic surgery or trauma, blood flow problems such as coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, spinal cord injury, and even (for both men and women) excessive bicycle riding. Hormonal causes can include menopause, endocrine disorders, postpartum hormone deficiencies, and diabetes.
In their article: "Sex, Intimacy, and the Kidney Patient" (in Kidney Beginnings magazine), Donna Brassil, RN, MA, CURN, and Jean Lewis, BSN, RN, CNP, caution that although kidney failure (diabetic or otherwise) itself imposes no limitation on sexual activity, sexual function is impaired in many individuals with chronic kidney disease. "A kidney transplant may cause improvement," they report, "although sexual function rarely returns to the pre-illness state." This applies to both men and women.
Certain medications have also been shown to adversely affect female sexual response. Some of them might have been prescribed for diabetes complications. The culprits are the same as for the men: anti-hypertensive agents, anti-depressants, sedatives, neuroleptics, anti-convulsants, anti-ulcer drugs, anti-cancer drugs, and many illegal "recreationals." Be sure to discuss medication options with a physician or nurse.
Psychological issues must also be evaluated for their possible relationship to sexual disorders. Many disorders, not just diabetes, have been shown to impact sexual response. These will need to be "ruled out." Sarkadi and Rosenqvist caution that too many have been "taught to accept" bad "folk explanations" (that are not in fact explanations at all, but value judgments) for their difficulties, like "because you're too old, or too fat, or too lazy ..." and their resulting guilt and self-blame exacerbate the problems. As when you think you have the answer (however incorrect you may be!), you're not likely to bring up the question, self-blame's consequences range from unpleasant, to dangerous, to outright lethal.
How does diabetes cause female sexual difficulties? Neuropathy, nerve damage, can interfere with the ability to feel, to detect touch, and can cause both pain and numbness. Diabetic small vessel circulatory damage can cause dryness, cracking, and impaired lubrication of skin and mucous membranes. Sarkadi and Rosenqvist (2003) state: "women with diabetes had double the rate of disturbed (inadequate) lubrication as their non-diabetic peers." These ramifications can seriously interfere with satisfaction, and with the willingness to participate in sexual activity.
Diabetic high blood sugars greatly increase the odds of a woman having a vaginal infection, most commonly a yeast infection. Diana Guthrie, past Professor at University of Kansas School of Medicine--Wichita, warns such infections can dry and irritate the skin, cause terrible itching, and produce severe pain during intercourse. Good diabetes control cuts the odds of such infections, and effective topical treatments for yeast infection are available. “For diabetics, such infections are generally not sexually transmitted,” warns Professor Guthrie, “but safe sex must be practiced if you or your partner have such an infection.”
In one study, where participants' average age was over 60, 18% of the women with type 1 diabetes reported sexual difficulties, but the figure was 42%, for those women with type 2. It was a small study, but the point is valid -- type 2 diabetes produces a lot of sexual difficulties!
Berman and Berman advise there is no single “cure-all” for female sexual dysfunction, and options for treatment vary as much as the symptoms. They further advise that, although medications may play a role in treatment, sexual dysfunction disorders may persist if accompanying emotional issues remain unaddressed. As a result, they recommend treatment on both a physiological and psychological level. They stated, “Diagnosis and treatment should ideally combine the mind and body in order to attend to all the components of a woman’s sexual life.”
Their suggestions are just as valid for men facing sexual difficulties.
Medicinal treatments for women increasingly include prescriptions for Viagra (sildenafil). Similar to its effects for men, Viagra increases blood flow to the vagina, clitoris, and labia, causing engorgement of these tissues, enhanced sensation, and increased vaginal lubrication. It is recommended that sildenafil be taken on an empty stomach, about an hour before intercourse, without alcohol. In addition, a woman must have the desire to engage in sexual relations, and be sexually stimulated enough for it to have an effect. Discuss with your doctor or nurse whether such use is appropriate for you. Note, as other new therapies for men come on to the market, some of them may prove effective for women as well. Talk to your health care team about new therapies.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is currently the only drug treatment that has been approved by the FDA for women with complaints of sexual problems associated with the drop in hormone levels brought on by menopause. Talk to your doctor about whether or not such therapy is appropriate for you.
The Eros-CDT (clitoral therapy device), by Urometrics, Inc., of Anoka, Minnesota, became the first treatment for female sexual dysfunction approved by the FDA in May, 2000. The CDT is in essence a small pump with a tiny plastic cup attachment that fits over the clitoris and surrounding tissue. It provides gentle suction and stimulating blood flow to the area. The CTD can cause orgasm in women, and it may help to prevent the fibrosis (collagen deposits) in women that can build up in the arteries leading to the clitoris. Consult your physician for more information on this device. Because no drugs are administered, diabetes contraindications are less likely.
Sexual dysfunction's symptoms should be taken seriously. Talk to your doctor. It is not a "moral issue." Get it checked out -- as something undetected (like kidney disease) can cause sexual difficulties -- then you can start dealing with it, and getting on with your life. A recent Mayo Clinic heart disease study stated people with sexual difficulties had a greatly increased likelihood of undiagnosed heart problems. So Just don't ignore it. Act!
The best prevention is the same as for diabetic men: Tight control. Diabetes per se does not cause these ramifications -- they follow long periods of elevated blood glucose, and your best insurance is to keep those numbers down. The better you do, the less the risk. Smoking increases the odds and severity of diabetic complications; it should be stopped. Alcohol use needs to be limited.
Male Sexual Dysfunction
Of all the complications of diabetes, this one, male impotence (the inability to achieve and sustain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse), may be most feared, but it is also one of the most treatable. More than 50% of diabetic men may experience erectile dysfunction, but over 95% of cases can be successfully treated. With proven treatment available, and new treatments appearing, a diabetic man experiencing this problem does have options. It isn't something he--or any man--or his partner--should have to live with.
Many men do not feel difficulties with their sexual performance are a fit subject to discuss with their partners -- or anyone else; they fear they will be ridiculed or condemned for having such. They couldn't be more wrong -- for they make things worse by "suffering in silence." Men, all of them, need to move beyond the old idea that the sex act is something the male provides. He is part of a relationship, and what interferes with one affects both. A man's partner is equally involved.
Achieving and sustaining an erection requires interaction between the neurological, arterial, hormonal, and psychological functions of the body. Simply, a lot of different parts have to work right. Proper hormonal balance, normal sex drive and emotional make–up, functioning nerves and blood vessels, and healthy penile tissue are all required. Both Libido, the interest in sexual activity, and potency, the ability to perform, must be present. Several different sets of nerves are involved, and neuropathy, nerve damage, to any of them can impair the sex act. Erection is a function of the parasympathetic nervous system, but orgasm and ejaculation are controlled by a different set of nerves: the sympathetic system.
"Erection is a hydraulic phenomenon, that occurs involuntarily," says Arturo Rolla, MD, of Harvard University School of Medicine. "Nobody can will an erection!" Anything that limits or impairs blood flow can interfere with the ability to achieve an erection, no matter how hard a man tries, or how much he wants to achieve one.
Although sexual vigor generally declines with age, a man who is healthy, physically and emotionally, is able to produce erections, and enjoy sexual relations, regardless of his age. Impotence is not an inevitable part of the aging process.
On occasion any man may experience the inability to achieve or sustain an erection. Such transient episodes are common and may be attributed to illness, fatigue, stress, relationship problems, depression, etc. The occasional inability to perform, however traumatic to both partners, is normal.
Repeated inability to achieve and sustain an adequate erection can be caused by anything that affects a man, psychologically or physically. Psychological, or "psychogenic," impotence can follow major life changes, unrelated medical treatments or conditions, stressful events, relationship difficulties, or even the fear of becoming impotent. The physiological changes associated with fear can themselves cause erectile dysfunction! When a diabetic discovers the source of his difficulties is not physical -- that it is due simply to his fear of the ramifications -- sexual function is usually restored. But to tell the difference between physical and psychogenic impotence, and to make any progress against it, requires that you TALK about this sensitive issue -- with your partner, your physician, and, ideally, with a urologist specializing in male sexual difficulties.
Sexual dysfunction can contribute to psychological problems such as feelings of inadequacy, frustration, loss of self-esteem, and despair. Strained relationships with partners may well result. It is important for people to discuss the problem with their partners, and to promptly seek medical attention. Many men may find counseling helpful.
Diabetic impotence is not a sign of diminishing sexual interest! It is generally a result of the blockage of or damage to blood vessels responsible for erection, damage to the nerves that dilate those blood vessels, or a mixture of the two. In some cases, re-establishing good glycemic control may decrease the problem, though permanent damage to nerves and small blood vessels may not be reversible. Such blockage may be an indicator of previously undiagnosed heart disease.
A diabetic man can decrease his risk of impotence (and many other complications) by carefully controlling his diabetes. Poorly controlled diabetes, and high cholesterol, increase the chances of vascular complications, which may lead to erectile dysfunction or other circulatory problems.
End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), a common diabetes complication, imposes its own stresses on the body, and can lead to impairment of sexual function. Short of a kidney transplant, the best treatment is to do whatever possible to keep your kidneys healthy.
Exercise regularly, and avoid nicotine and alcohol. Smoking causes constriction of the blood vessels, and greatly increases the odds of diabetic circulatory damage. Good health practices, and tight blood glucose control, help men prevent impotence, just as they ward off the other major complications of neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy.
Impotence, the chronic inability to have and sustain an erection adequate for sexual intercourse, may well be a symptom of more serious disorder, such as previously undiagnosed heart complications. Seek prompt medical help for sexual dysfunction -- as it can lead to early diagnosis of other problems -- for which prompt intervention might save your life. Identification of the source of impotence can point the way to the prevention of strokes, heart attacks, and other life-threatening illnesses.
Whatever the cause, if a man does not have or cannot sustain erections adequate for vaginal penetration, and the problem continues over a period of four to five weeks, he should recognize a problem exists, and seek medical help. Don't delay -- erectile dysfunction doesn't "just go away!"
In treatment of impotence, the choice of doctors is most important -- all are not equally qualified to diagnose or treat such a condition. Among the best choices are those practicing at centers specializing in erectile dysfunction, urologists who subspecialize in the treatment of impotence, and other physicians specifically trained in this field. Most people's first contact is with their family doctor. Ask that primary care physician for a referral to a medical professional who is particularly familiar with this disorder. Local hospital referral services may keep lists of such experts in practice nearby.
With an interview and physical exam, the doctor should be able to determine whether the erectile dysfunction is psychological or physical in nature. Where diabetes is present, a vast majority of instances of erectile dysfunction have a partly or completely physical cause. But based on examination and interview, the doctor may determine the cause to be psychological, and if so, refer the man to a qualified health professional specializing in psychologically-induced erectile dysfunction. This may be a psychiatrist, psychologist, sex therapist, or marital counselor. Please, do not see such a diagnosis as an insult, or as a defeat -- to do nothing, to choose inaction, would be the real defeat.
Troy A. Burns, MD, of PropartnersMD in Overland Park, Kansas (who was formerly
Medical Director of the Diagnostic Center for Men), reports that an old at-home
test for erectile activity during sleep (the lack of which would suggest physically-caused
impotence) was the postage-stamp test. The patient was instructed to wrap several
stamps snugly around his penis at bedtime. If the stamps had perforated by
the time he awakened, some penile tumescence probably occurred! Of course more
sophisticated tests are used today.
Impotence is sometimes a side effect of medications prescribed for other disorders.
Such medications can include: some antihypertensives (diuretics and beta blockers),
some ulcer medications, the heart medication Digoxin, antihistamines used for
allergy control, antipsychotics, commonly used tranquilizers such as Diazepam,
certain antianxiety drugs, certain narcotics, anticholinergics, tricyclic antidepressants,
and many illegal drugs. Elavil and other tricyclic antidepressants, sometimes
used to treat the pain of neuropathy, can cause, trigger, or aggravate impotence.
Be careful of interactions between your medications and any “alternative” herbal
supplements too -- tell your doctor what you're taking. Non-prescription treatments
for a person's unrelated disorders may contribute to the problem, as over-the-counter
medications, including certain eye drops and nose drops, have been associated
with erectile dysfunction.
If you experience erectile dysfunction, and you are using other medication(s), discuss it with your doctor. By adjusting the dosage of current medication(s) or by switching to valid alternates, erectile dysfunction may be alleviated. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about side effects, and be sure to read the package insert in the container. Consult a physician before discontinuing any medications.
Much is now known about the causes and treatments of erectile dysfunction, and impotent men should be aware of their various treatment options. Although surgery is one choice, 95% of cases are resolved by nonsurgical means, and the National Institutes of Health recommends trying nonsurgical treatments before more invasive methods. All options should be considered, but the man's personal preferences -- and those of his partner -- are vital in the choice of treatment. For purpose of discussion I've divided treatments into three categories: medications, external mechanical devices, and surgery.
Medications
Topical "Vasodilators" May Improve Blood Flow: When diagnosis indicates a problem in the vascular system, particularly arterial insufficiency, externally-applied vasodilators (example: nitroglycerine ointment) can be used to dilate arteries, improving blood flow into the penis. Commonly used in treatment of high blood pressure and associated heart disease, such ointment is applied to the penis to increase penile arterial flow and improve erections. The most notable side effect of nitroglycerine ointment is that it may give the female partner headaches, as it is absorbed into her bloodstream through the vagina. To prevent this, the man should use a condom. Note: some men are "intolerant" of nitroglycerine as well, and cannot use such a product. Talk to your health care team.
Another topically applied vasodilator, Minoxidil, was found to have fewer side effects and be more effective than nitroglycerine cream. Although some cases of erectile dysfunction respond well to this kind of therapy, the effectiveness of topical vasodilator products for this purpose has not yet been determined by the scientific community. Research continues.
Yohimbine Therapy Shows Promise: Yohimbine medication comes from the bark of a tree that grows in Africa and India. The extract, long used as an aphrodisiac and folk remedy for impotence, has proved effective in some impotence cases, and has an FDA approval for use as an aphrodisiac. It is not known exactly how the medication works. Note that desire is not ability -- and an aphrodisiac, "folk" or FDA-approved, does not address the circulatory difficulties central to diabetogenic impotence. Some "alternative" medications, sold on the Internet as "sex-life enhancers," contain yohimbine as one component. The few side effects of yohimbine tablets can be easily alleviated. Many doctors prescribe this therapy for cases of very mild, physically caused dysfunction or for psychological impotence. This therapy does have merit and should be considered.
Alprox-TD, a topical cream containing alprostadil, has completed several Phase III clinicals. Manufactured by NexMed (from Robbinsville, New Jersey), it appears to produce a statistically significant improvement in impotence symptoms, and "demonstrated significant efficacy in double-blind, placebo-controlled, take-home studies in a broad patient population." Many of the test population also had cardiac complications, and the medication appeared safe for them as well. "The use of Alprox-TD is not contraindicated in patients using nitrate medication for cardiovascular disease or any other type of medication," says NexMed. This medication (already available in Asia) is not yet FDA approved, but the company expects U.S. marketing clearance shortly. This is NOT "alternative," but carefully-researched medication, and the manufacturer is making sure the product is safe and effective.
Oral Medications:
Viagra, Pfizer, Inc.'s oral medication for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction (impotence) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug administration in March of 1998. Viagra is a simple pill, priced about $7 per dose, and appears to successfully treat a wide percentages of cases. Although sometimes contraindicated where circulatory disease is present (talk to your doctor first!), for some, it may be the most convenient treatment of all.
Levitra, from Bayer and GlaxoSmithKline, won approval late in 2003, and is now available. Its pattern of action is similar to that of Viagra. Another Viagra competitor, Cialis, sold on many overseas Web sites as "Super Viagra," won FDA approval in November of 2003.
Uprima, manufactured by TAP Pharmaceuticals, is said to work in a similar manner, but where Viagra acts directly on the circulatory system, Uprima "stimulates the appropriate neurotransmitters in the human brain." It is sold on the Internet, billed as an "orgasm enhancer." It might work for some, as might its foreign competitors and generic equivalents: Vig-Rx and Asotas -- but these are not "mainstream," and caution is advised. Be extremely cautious with all such overseas "gray-market" medications; your health care team may be unfamiliar with their consequences and contraindications, and familiar labels may be dishonest.
Vasomax, by Zonagen Pharmaceuticals, was another anti-impotence oral medication. An oral form of the proven anti-impotence injectable medication phentolamine, approved in Mexico, it failed its final clinical tests in the U.S., and was withdrawn from the market before it could incur the stigma of "banned by the FDA."
Penile Injection Therapy: Many sources report that penile injection therapy has an estimated 80% rate of success. Injected directly into the penis, the medication alprostadil produces erection by relaxing certain muscles, increasing blood flow into the penis and restricting outflow. The therapy has disadvantages, such as risks of infection, pain, and scarring--fibrosis--in the penis, and it may create "priapism," a prolonged, painful erection lasting six hours or more (although reversible with prompt medical attention). A popular version of this medication is Upjohn Corporation's Caverject, the first to be approved for such use by the FDA. Note: The MUSE system, described below, administers the same medication, without needles, and (if and when FDA approved), NexMed’s Alprox-TD will offer it in a cream.
Drug Combination Injection Therapy: Therapies using combinations of drugs have been developed and are proving to be a good "fallback" for individuals who experience difficulties with Caverject alone. "About 15% of all individuals who try therapy with Caverject experience significant pain at the injection site," says Troy A. Burns, MD. "For these 15%, a combination of Caverject, Papaverine, and Phentolamine produces less or no pain."
Alternatives
The MUSE System, by VIVUS, is a noninvasive alternative to penile injection. The user dispenses his medication (a pellet of alprostadil/Caverject) with an eye-dropper-like applicator, directly into the urethra. No needles are required. Both the drug and the delivery system have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for this use. For many impotent men, the MUSE may be the therapy of choice.
"Rejoyn" is an inexpensive, nonprescription alternative to the many vacuum-actuated devices described below. Described by its manufacturer as a "support sleeve," it does not "cause" an erection, but rather supports the flaccid penis as if it were erect (one wears it under a condom).
External Mechanical Devices
This category of treatments for erectile dysfunction includes external vacuum therapies; noninvasive external mechanical devices that produce painless erections by causing blood to flow into the penis while constricting outflow of blood. Such devices imitate a natural erection, and do not interfere with orgasmic experience. External vacuum therapy mechanisms are approximately 95% successful in causing and sustaining an adequate erection. All are portable, and costs range between $200-$500, covered under most insurance plans, and Medicare Part B.
The vacuum constriction device consists of a vacuum cylinder, various sizes of tension rings, and a vacuum pump, either hand-operated or electric. The penis is placed in a cylinder to which a tension ring is attached. Air is evacuated from the cylinder by means of the pump, creating a vacuum, which produces the erection. The cylinder is removed, leaving the tension ring at the base of the penis to maintain the erection.
Vacuum therapy devices have a few minor disadvantages. One must interrupt foreplay to use them. THE TENSION RING MUST BE REMOVED AFTER SUSTAINING THE ERECTION FOR 30 MINUTES, TO PREVENT PENILE BRUISING. You must use the correct-size tension ring. Although considered to be basically pain free, initial use may produce some soreness. Such devices may be unsuitable for men with certain disorders related to blood clotting. In general, vacuum constriction devices are successful in management of long-term impotence, and they enjoy wide physician acceptance. They are relatively inexpensive, and they work on simple principles, so they are easy for patients to understand.
Widely available, they are now offered in mass-market catalogs like "Dr. Leonards," and, as long as the user follows the instructions, and is in otherwise good physical condition, they usually work well. As no medication needs to be consumed or injected, these devices are good for many men.
Surgical Treatments
There are many less-invasive and less-expensive options, and surgery should be considered only after all others have proved unsatisfactory. Of the two kinds of surgery performed, one involves implantation of a penile prosthesis; the other attempts vascular reconstruction. Less than 5% of impotent men may benefit from vascular surgery. Expert opinion about surgical implants has changed during recent years; today, surgery is no longer so widely recommended. Even though it is 90% effective (on an appropriate subject), surgery is expensive in both monetary and human terms, but it is one available option for impotent men. The decision to have or not have surgery is one that should be made by the man and his sexual partner, after medical consultation.
Companies that market surgically-implanted prosthetic devices sell only to hospitals and physicians and will not provide the selling price to consumers. Some years ago, I checked prices, and found that the malleable prostheses cost about $1,400, and inflatable devices cost about $4,000 -- just for parts. If the man elected to undergo the surgery, and fees were totaled (surgical, operating room, and the markup on the prosthesis), the cost would be thousands more.
The main risk associated with penile surgery is infection. Although every attempt is made during the procedure itself to prevent infection, it can develop, and may force removal of the prosthesis. As with all invasive procedures, there may be some pain, bleeding, and scarring. If for some reason the prosthesis or parts become damaged or dislocated, surgical removal may be necessary. With a general success rate of about 90%, any of the devices will restore erections, but they will not affect sexual desire, ejaculation, or orgasm.
Prostheses: Many different types of penile prostheses are available, in three categories: rods, inflatable prostheses, and self-contained prostheses. Semi-rigid or malleable rods are the simplest and least expensive of all. Their main disadvantage is that the penis remains constantly erect, which may cause problems with concealment.
Inflatable prostheses are complex mechanical devices that imitate the natural process of erection. Parts are inserted surgically into the penis and scrotum, and activated by squeezing. When erection is no longer desired, a valve on the pump is pressed, and the penis becomes flaccid. Disadvantages include risk of mechanical breakdown or leakage. Fully inflatable devices are the most expensive of the three categories, because of the complicated surgery necessary to implant the parts.
Self-contained single-unit prostheses are similar to the inflatable types, but more compact. The entire device is implanted into the penis. When erection is desired, the unit is activated by either squeezing or bending, depending on which of the two types of self-contained prostheses is used. Some of the mechanical types have been known to fail during intercourse; the inflatable device can sometimes be difficult to operate.
All penile implants will produce erections suitable for intercourse. When
decisions are being made regarding the kind of surgery, other factors should
be considered. According to Bruce A. MacKenzie in Impotence Worldwide (Volume
7, No.2), purpose is only one of several elements considered when selecting
an implant. MacKenzie said, "To those who wish to simulate nature to the
furthest extent--then a fully inflatable would be their choice; for those who
wanted something relatively simple, ready to use, lower cost, one day less
in the hospital--their choice would be the hinged or malleable; to those who
wanted a compromise between the two--a hybrid--they would choose a self-contained;
and for those who wanted the least expensive (low end of the line)--the semi-rigid
would fit the bill."
Vascular Reconstructive Surgery for Impotence uses highly sophisticated techniques
and equipment to physically correct the underlying causes of impotence in the
penis. The surgeon may attempt reconstruction of the arterial blood supply,
or remove veins when the cause is due to leakage. Less than 5% of men with
erectile dysfunction have such surgically treatable impotence!
Conclusion
When your quality of life is affected by sexual dysfunction, diabetogenic or otherwise, you should seek a physician’s help, preferably that of a carefully chosen specialist. Don’t wait for your doctor to ask you about sexual function -- talk about it! Nothing is cured by silence. Talk about it with your partner/spouse, too, as he/she is equally affected by this condition. Remember, you’re both involved, so your partner is integral to the relationship and deserves complete honesty. Relationships are solid only when couples consider each other’s feelings, so COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR PARTNER. Remember, man or woman, you are not alone; others have faced these difficulties. You do have options!
COMPANIES THAT MARKET IMPOTENCE THERAPY SYSTEMS
American Medical Systems, 10700 Bren Road West, Minnetonka, MN 55343; telephone: 1-800-328-3881; Web site: (www.visitams.com). They offer prosthetic devices.
Encore, Inc., 7696 15th Street East, Sarasota FL 34243; telephone: 1-800-221-6603. They offer vacuum constriction devices.
Mentor Corp., 501 Mentor Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93111; telephone: 1-800-235-5731; Web site: www.mentorcorp.com. They offer prosthetic devices.
Mission Pharmacal Co., 10999 IH-10 West Suite 1000, San Antonio, TX 78230; telephone: 1-800-531-3333; Web site: www.missionpharmacal.com. They offer the VED line of vacuum constriction devices.
Soma Blue Corp., PO Box 10026, Augusta, GA 30903; telephone: 1-800-827-8382; Web site: www.somablue.com. They offer vacuum constriction devices.
Pfizer, Inc., 235 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017; Web site: www.viagra.com. They offer the oral impotence medication Viagra.
Pos-T-Vac, 1701 N. 14th Street, PO Box 1436, Dodge City, KS 67801; telephone: 1-800-627-7434 or 1-800-279-7434; Web site: www.postvac.com. They offer vacuum constriction devices and the “Rejoyn” support sleeve. See also www.rejoyn.com.
TIMM Medical, PO Box 5679, Hopkins, MN 55343; telephone: 1-800-438-8592; Web site: www.timmmedical.com. Successor to Osbon Medical Systems, they offer both vacuum constriction and prosthetic devices.
UROMETRICS, Inc., 2022 Ferry Road, Suite 3125, Anoka, MN 55303; telephone: 1-763-323-1968; fax: 1-763-323-1988; Web site: www.urometrics.com. They offer the EROS-CTD device.
VIVUS, Inc., 605 E, Fairchild Drive, Mountain View, CA 94043; telephone: 1-650-934-5200; Web site: www.vivus.com. They offer their noninvasive MUSE delivery system for the drug alprostadil (Caverject).
RESOURCE LIST OF INFORMATION AND SERVICES
Diabetes Action Network of the National Federation of the Blind, 1412 I-70 Drive SW, Suite C, Columbia, MO 65203; telephone: (573) 875-8911; Web site: (www.nfb.org/voice.htm). They offer other information pertinent to diabetes and its ramifications.
The Erectile Dysfunction Institute, 10949 Bren Road East, Minnetonka, MN 55343; telephone: (952) 852-5559 and (866) 563-2432; Web site: (www.cure-ed.com). They offer information, advice, and the location of trained specialists. Much useful information on their Web site.
National Federation of the Blind, Materials Center, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; telephone: (410) 659-9314; Web site: (www.nfb.org). Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They offer advice about blindness, and a free book-length publication of this and other articles about ramifications of diabetes, in large print, or on 4-track audiocassette, titled: Diabetes Action Network Articles.
National Kidney and Urological Diseases Information Clearinghouse, #3 Information Way, Bethesda, MD 20892-3580; telephone: (301) 654-4415; Web site: (www.niddk.nih.gov/nkudic.htm). Part of the National Institutes of Health, they publish an “Impotence Fact Sheet,” free upon request.
Bibliography
Berman, Jennifer B. and Laura Berman. For Women Only: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Sexual Dysfunction and Reclaiming Your Sex Life. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2001.
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