Last updated on January 7, 2022
Content By: Dr. Nikita Toshi BDS, Assistant Manager (Medical Review) & Dr. Ritu Budania MBBS, MD (Pharmacology) Head, Medical Affairs
Last updated on January 7, 2022
Diabetes is a condition that is associated with the pancreas and the hormone it secretes – insulin. This insulin helps to store and use the sugar present in the food we consume. Whenever there is a conversation about diabetes, it revolves mostly around eating habits and dietary plans. Diabetes occurs either due to the pancreas producing little to no insulin or when the insulin produced is unable to properly regulate the sugar in the blood, also known as insulin resistance. Diabetes is a condition that can affect both men and women however, the signs of diabetes in men can differ from those in women.
In general, diabetes is classified into two types:
There are also other classifications of diabetes mellitus like gestational diabetes, diabetes due to other hormonal derangements and trauma or cancer of the pancreas. Now that we have understood what diabetes is and how it occurs, let us now look at the signs of diabetes in men and how they translate differently as compared to women.
Diabetes is a condition that is associated with the pancreas and the hormone it secretes – insulin. This insulin helps to store and use the sugar present in the food we consume. Whenever there is a conversation about diabetes, it revolves mostly around eating habits and dietary plans. Diabetes occurs either due to the pancreas producing little to no insulin or when the insulin produced is unable to properly regulate the sugar in the blood, also known as insulin resistance. Diabetes is a condition that can affect both men and women however, the signs of diabetes in men can differ from those in women.
In general, diabetes is classified into two types:
There are also other classifications of diabetes mellitus like gestational diabetes, diabetes due to other hormonal derangements and trauma or cancer of the pancreas. Now that we have understood what diabetes is and how it occurs, let us now look at the signs of diabetes in men and how they translate differently as compared to women.
Written by
BDS, Assistant Manager (Medical Review)
Reviewed by
MBBS, MD (Pharmacology) Head, Medical Affairs
As briefly mentioned earlier, diabetes in males occurs much more frequently as compared to females and is particularly true for Type 2 diabetes in men. But how does diabetes affect a man? Research has indicated that this can be linked to the amount of testosterone present in the body. As you know, testosterone is one of the primary hormones present in males and women also make testosterone in their bodies in small quantities. However, some key differences can be observed when a male has diabetes as opposed to a female, such as:
These are just some of the differences observed when observing the early signs and symptoms of diabetes in men vs women.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) publishes some diabetes statistics male vs female in their report and they include some of the following:
These data points only refer to diabetes in men and you will observe that there are many more diabetes statistics male vs female in the report. Those refer to the prevalence of diabetes (diagnosed and undiagnosed), the prevalence of prediabetes in adults and many more.
Early symptoms of diabetes to look out for in males
In this section, we will be focusing on some of the early male diabetes symptoms. It is important to note that some symptoms are common to both males and females, such as the ones mentioned below:
Excessive thirst and hunger
Blurred vision
Weight loss or gain
Fatigue
Frequent urination
Irritability
Skin infections and delay in healing of wounds
Numbness in the feet or hands
Some male diabetes symptoms are not visible in women. For example, erectile dysfunction in men is a sign of diabetes that one shouldn’t ignore. Likewise, other signs of diabetes include:
Low levels of testosterone
Retrograde ejaculation or reduced levels of ejaculation
Decreased sex drive
As soon as you observe one or more of these male symptoms of diabetes, it is highly advised that you should consult a doctor immediately. Type 2 diabetes in men, can lead to serious complications if left untreated, so it is important to identify the presence of the disease as soon as possible to control it in the future.
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Puberty refers to the development of an individual’s body as they become adults. This starts occurring at the age of 12 – 13 and continues till the age of 21 – 23. Boys tend to hit puberty a little later than girls but there is nothing wrong with that. Male puberty can be first seen with the increase in the size of their testicles and the appearance of pubic hair.
Male puberty stages can be “sweaty” because they tend to sweat more, leading to the growth of underarm hair and the development of acne. Boys and men can also start having “wet dreams”, which refer to involuntary ejaculation of semen while sleeping. Hence, puberty in boys and men is a very unique process.
Research has indicated that boys are more susceptible to developing diabetes than girls, across all age categories. This is particularly true during most male puberty stages. It is important to note that boys’ hormonal changes occur due to their adolescent spurt or Peak Height Velocity (PHV), generally 2 years after the start of puberty.
The signs that men have diabetes was spoken about in a newsletter by EverydayHealth, which referred to a study in March 2020 that analysed boys’ growth charts. Through the study, it was found that boys who had their PHV below the age of 13.4 years were twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes before they were 50, as compared to boys who had their PHV closer to 15 years of age. This growth spurt also indicated a greater need for insulin in the body to manage the condition.
Lowering the risk of diabetes during puberty
Owing to the difficult circumstances brought about by diabetes, there are some steps suggested by experts on taking care of the body to lower the risk of diabetes during male puberty. Some of these tips include:
Maintaining a healthy BMI by eating healthy foods which contain carbohydrates and proteins and healthy fats.
Reducing blood sugar levels by consuming lesser amounts of sodas, energy drinks, fatty foods and sugary snacks.
Including a good number of physical activities and exercises in the daily routine.
Social and behavioural signs of diabetes in men during puberty
The onset of diabetes in males brings about changes to one’s social behaviour, which affects both their personal life and their relationships, especially during puberty. This is predominantly due to differing blood sugar levels in the body and societal pressure/anxiety. Some social and behavioural symptoms of diabetes in men that can be seen during this stage are:
Mood swings, which could further lead to confusion, hunger, nervousness, concentration difficulties and much more.
Diabetes distress, which shares elements of anxiety, stress and depression in men. This occurs due to thoughts about their medication, concerns of education and regular check-ups.
Conflict in relationships, due to a greater need for emotional support and a simultaneous increase in irritability and confusion.
Education, a diagnosis of diabetes during this stage of development can affect the studies and performance of the child if not managed well on time. The burden of time-bound medicine intake, dietary restrictions and hospital visits can be challenging for a teen.
Therefore, when we think about the question “how does diabetes affect a man”, we have to consider their physical, mental and emotional status. It is extremely important to provide support to male children and adolescents dealing with diabetes early on. Diabetes is a chronic condition has the ability to alter one’s normal routines that can seem overwhelming for some. The added pressure to fit in with their peers or perform well in academics or any extracurriculars can also affect students negatively. This can lead to denial or rebellious behaviour against doctor’s appointments, insulin therapy and their treatment program putting them at further risk of complications.
As soon as there is an indication of diabetes in men, it is important to give them psychological support owing to the fact that depression is one of the most common behavioural issues seen in children diagnosed with diabetes. With apt psychological support from a young age, children can learn to cope with their emotions, express their fears and challenges and in turn improving their mental health, their social behaviour, as well as their physical health.
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What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. ED is a cause of concern only if it occurs continuously for a long period of time. Erectile dysfunction in men can lead to low self-confidence and a huge amount of stress. It also has a negative effect on a person’s sexual relationship due to diminished libido and sexual motivation leading to irritability and confusion. Erectile dysfunction is also one of the signs that men have diabetes.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
Before learning the cure of the disease, It is important to know why erectile dysfunction occurs. Erectile dysfunction can be attributed to something physical, psychological or even medical. There are many factors and causes that could contribute to the presence of erectile dysfunction. These can be categorized as follows:
Physical causes – High levels of blood sugar in diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels that nourish the penis leading to difficulty in attaining an erection. ED, apart from a sign of diabetes in men, could be a symptom of Parkinson’s disease, obesity, heart disease, an injury to the pelvic region or a hormonal imbalance like a low level of testosterone.
Psychological causes – Factors like stress, anxiety, depression and relationship problems can also result in erectile dysfunction in men.
Risk factors – Medical treatments (prostate surgery), tobacco use and excessive alcohol intake and some medicines have been shown to increase the risk of erectile dysfunction.
The Link Between Diabetes and male infertility
People often ask the question, “Can diabetes affect a man’s fertility?”. Research has shown that men with erectile dysfunction in diabetes can be susceptible to retarded or retrograde ejaculation and can also have a reduced sperm quality. Retarded ejaculation refers to the inability of the individual to ejaculate, while retrograde ejaculation refers to the situation when the semen flows into the bladder rather than through the urethra during ejaculation. This is because the nerves are unable to control the muscles in the bladder in order to close at the point of ejaculation.
Along with reduced sperm quality, low testosterone levels can also be classified as one of the symptoms of diabetes in men. Research by Diabetes.co.uk shows that almost 1 in every 4 men diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes suffers from low testosterone levels. This in turn can lead to infertility by reducing sperm count and sexual drive. Now here’s the next question that gets asked by many – “Can a diabetic man make a woman pregnant?” Yes! This is because there is no change in sperm mobility during ejaculation which indicates that pregnancy is possible. However, diabetic males still need to be careful and work towards controlling their blood sugar levels. Yeast infections in males with diabetes are also a common consequence of uncontrolled blood sugar levels, also known as thrush.
Managing diabetes for healthier sexual relationships
Here’s some good news. A diabetes diagnosis in men does not forbid you from having sexual intercourse. However, depending on your symptoms you may have to take additional precautions and follow diabetes management guidelines prescribed by your doctor to ensure you and your partner experience no discomfort during sex. If you think you may be struggling with infertility, a consultation with a fertility specialist is advised after which your doctor would be able to tell you if you require a diabetes male infertility treatment to prevent complications from arising in the future.
While you can have sexual intercourse while being diabetic, managing your condition effectively should be your first priority to ensure a strong and healthy sexual relationship with your partner. Whether it is via diet and exercise, medication, insulin therapy or other treatments that your doctor may prescribe, managing diabetes can help restore your sex drive, erectile function and confidence.
When To Visit a Doctor For Support?
Erectile dysfunction is a topic many men may be shy to talk about, even to their doctors. However, when the issue arises, it is important to reach out to your family doctor or a psychiatrist for support and potentially seek diabetes male infertility treatment if needed. It is advised that you visit a doctor if:
Reaching out to your doctor in time can help get the necessary attention you need to reverse erectile dysfunction and boost your sexual health.
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What is heart disease?
Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect your heart. It can be coronary artery disease, heart diseases you are born with like congenital heart defects, heart rhythm problems, defects of heart valves, heart infection and so on.
The risks of heart diseases are grave for both men and women but it affects both sexes differently. Before COVID-19 hit us globally, over one crore annual deaths were reported in India and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) caused 20.3% of deaths in men and 16.9% of deaths in women.
How can diabetes lead to heart disease?
If your blood sugar levels are high, then over time it can affect your blood vessels and damage the nerves that control the heart. Men with diabetes also may be diagnosed with high blood pressure and in that case, the pressure increases the force of blood through the arteries and damages the artery walls.
What is the risk for heart disease for men?
Heart disease in men is not inevitable even if there is a family history. But some risk factors contribute towards it such as:
Poor diet
High blood pressure and cholesterol
Stress
Smoking and alcohol consumption
Obesity
Lowering your risk of developing heart disease
If you are dealing with diabetes, it is recommended to consult an endocrinologist for advice regarding lowering your risk of diabetes-related complications. While heart diseases cannot be controlled at all times due to factors like family history and genetics, we can surely reduce the risk of developing heart disease by following certain guidelines that your doctor may also recommend. These include:
Leading a healthy lifestyle – Eating a balanced diet and leading an active life helps control blood sugar levels, blood pressure and helps you deal with obesity. A good sleep routine is also important in reducing the risk of heart diseases. This in turn helps maintain a healthy heart.
Cutting down on smoking and drinking – It is no secret that smoking is injurious to health and along with your lungs, it affects your heart. So if you are a smoker and drinker you will have to cut down on those habits.
Finding ways to cope with stress and anxiety – Extended periods of stress cause your body to release the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Studies have shown that elevated levels of these hormones are a good predictor of heart disease-related death. So as much as you can, try and find time even if it’s 10 – 15 minutes in a day to meditate, engage in some breathing or relaxation techniques or do yoga to help reduce stress.
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Several studies have shown that diabetes, although a chronic condition, can be effectively managed through proper diet, exercise and small lifestyle changes. Effective management of diabetes in men requires doctor-prescribed medication or insulin to supplement their treatment, in most cases, diabetes can be controlled by the following tips:
Dietary Changes
A man with diabetes may be required to control their diet to ensure a steady recovery and reduce the risk of major complications from occurring in the future due to uncontrolled blood glucose levels. For any diabetic individual, the main aim should be to control their blood sugar level but also eating foods that reduce the risks of heart complications.
Confused about what to include in your diet? Consulting a qualified team of diabetologists and nutritionists would be step one as they would be able to prescribe a diet that is suited to your symptoms, lifestyle and exact diagnosis. Low blood sugar symptoms and foods that control blood sugar would generally include vegetables, fruits, nuts and whole grains while minimizing the amounts of processed foods, refined sugars and deep-fried foods consumed. The presence of non-fat dairy and lean meat is also essential for blood sugar management.
Exercises to Supplement Diet
Any man with diabetes should strive to exercise for a minimum of 150 minutes a week. This could include any activity such as walking, running, cycling or even hitting the gym. Make sure that you sweat! This ensures that there is a reduction in your blood sugar levels and also ensures a lower chance of developing a heart-related condition. Speak to your healthcare professionals about some exercises you can take up to help manage diabetes better.
In addition to weight loss benefits and stress release, exercising regularly also helps improve muscle strength and boosts overall immunity and mental health. Scientifically, exercising is known to release endorphins, a group of hormones that function to increase feelings of pleasure and well-being. Making exercise a habit has shown to also boost self-confidence, productivity and the motivation to make the right choices for your health. But remember, exercise and nutrition go hand in hand, so make sure to strike a balance between both.
Regular check-ups to monitor diabetes
It is important to get regular check-ups conducted to monitor the various symptoms of diabetes in men. Experts say that you must see your doctor at least twice a year if you are diagnosed with diabetes. The key here is to keep a track of your cholesterol, blood pressure, and understand how often should one check their blood sugar and hba1c levels (average blood sugar over 3 months). This is because diabetes increases your risk of developing heart disease and other conditions pertaining to the eye, nerves and kidneys. Hence a yearly eye exam, kidney function test, dental check-up, heart function test can help in the early identification of any complications that could arise in the future. In the case of diabetes, prevention is always better than cure!
Mental health: Why it’s important for men to express their struggles with diabetes
Diabetes can bring along with it a lot of self-doubt, frustration and fatigue. This is particularly true in the case of men due to the complications they face, such as erectile dysfunction.
Such signs of diabetes in men play a huge role in affecting the mental health of men and hence it becomes extremely necessary for them to express their feelings and struggles in a healthy way and to not get weighed down by the stress and depression associated with diabetes. Here, the mind-body connection proves to be extremely important as not just your physical condition but your thoughts, feelings, beliefs and attitudes can also equally affect your health.
Are you currently struggling with your mental health? Here are some practical ways to help you cope and prevent you from spiralling into a hole of depression and/or diabetes distress:
The notion of men being strong and the pressure put on them to “not cry” or express their pain can be a deterrent to their mental health. Therefore, finding ways to positively channel the stress, fears and anxieties associated with diabetes can go a long way in helping the body heal. Prioritizing mental health is necessary and is not something to be ashamed of. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help. It can in fact just be the pivotal moment in your journey to recovery.
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What are some early signs of diabetes in men?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that is more common in men than women. Some early signs that men have diabetes include:
How do I know if I am diabetic?
The key indicator of diabetes is high blood sugar levels. Please keep a check on blood sugar levels. You may test it at home using a glucometer or get a blood sugar or HbA1c test from the lab. Some symptoms of diabetes that you can keep in mind are:
Can diabetes affect men sexually?
Yes, diabetes can affect men sexually by affecting their reproductive parts. One symptom of diabetes in men is the onset of erectile dysfunction, which then reduces your sex drive and affects your sexual relationship. Along with this, diabetes can also lead to retrograde ejaculation and low testosterone levels, leading to lesser levels of ejaculation. Hence, diabetes not only affects your sexual life with a partner but also prevents you from masturbating if blood sugar is not controlled.
Why does erectile dysfunction occur?
Erectile dysfunction occurs when the blood flow to the penis gets limited and nerves are harmed. This can happen from too much stress, diseases where your arteries get hardened, heart diseases, high blood sugar and diabetes.
What are the symptoms of diabetes at puberty?
Some of the symptoms of diabetes at puberty are as follows:
Who is at risk of developing diabetes?
According to CDC, Type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed in individuals whose families have a history of diabetes or other autoimmune disorders, meaning that it could be genetic. Type 1 diabetes can also occur at any age but it is more common in children, teens and young adults.
Type 2 diabetes has some clearer boundaries for development and it can be seen if you:
Does diabetes cause erectile dysfunction?
Yes, diabetes can cause erectile dysfunction. It can also lead to retrograde ejaculation and/or low testosterone levels.
Can diabetes affect a man’s fertility?
Research has shown that almost 1 in 4 men with diabetes have low levels of testosterone. Low levels of testosterone can lead to low sperm count, erectile dysfunction and even decreased sex drive.
Can a diabetic man make a woman pregnant?
Though diabetes can affect a man’s fertility, it is not always the case. In most cases, a person with diabetes can make a woman pregnant. It is important to keep your sugar levels in a healthy range in order to avoid the risk of any health complications. In case of any problems, visit a doctor and sought out advice. Also, diabetes in the father does not affect the baby during pregnancy.
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