As we age, sex becomes more problematic for both men and women for different reasons. For women, menopause tends to knock out their libido and make sex more painful due to vaginal dryness and atrophy.
For men, it’s a bit more complicated. While some older men with erectile dysfunction (ED) do suffer from low testosterone levels, it’s far from the only potential cause. Some others include:
- Heart disease
- Atherosclerosis
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Metabolic syndrome
- Parkinson’s disease
- Treatments for prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate
It may be surprising to see diabetes on this list. But high blood sugar can cause vascular and nerve damage (or neuropathy), both of which can decrease blood flow to the genitals.
If you haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes, you may think you’re in the clear. However, recent research indicates even a small increase in blood sugar levels could have an impact on your sex life…
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Blood sugar elevation and virility
For the study, researchers recruited 200 healthy men ages 18 to 85 in 2014 and tracked them through 2020. By the end of the study, 117 men were still participating.
The researchers examined progressive changes in participants’ semen and hormonal profiles, erectile function and metabolic health. The latter was measured through BMI and blood sugar levels monitored by the HbA1c test.
According to the results, hormone levels and semen parameters stayed largely within normal ranges over time. However, sperm movement and erectile function decreased in men with minimally elevated blood sugar levels below the diabetes threshold of 6.5% HbA1c.
The study also found that while testosterone levels did not have a direct impact on erectile function, they were related to participants’ libido assessment.
“Although age and testosterone levels have long been considered an impetus for men’s declining sexual health, our research indicates that these changes more closely correlate with modest increases in blood sugar and other metabolic changes,” says Dr. Michael Zitzmann, professor and doctor of medicine at University Hospital in Muenster, Germany.
“This means that men can take steps to preserve or revive their reproductive health with lifestyle choices and appropriate medical interventions,” Zitzmann adds.
Zitzman notes that the researchers hope the information gleaned from the study will help doctors and their patients establish effective male sexual health maintenance plans. “We now know that it’s in our power to retain sexual and reproductive wellbeing in men, even as they age,” he says.
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Keeping blood sugar in balance
The best way to keep blood sugar levels in check is through diet. Any diet that ditches added sugars and ultra-processed foods for more lean meats, fruits and vegetables and whole grains is a good place to start.
But if you’re on the road to diabetes, you may want to try a low-calorie keto diet. In addition to helping manage blood sugar, this diet can also boost testosterone. The downside is that it’s hard to stick to. In that cas,e consider a Mediterranean diet. Both diets improve blood sugar, weight and metabolic health.
Another lifestyle change that can help is getting regular exercise. Engaging in regular physical activity increases your body’s sensitivity to insulin, allowing sugar to be processed more efficiently. In fact, exercise can lower your blood sugar for up to 24 hours or more after you work out.
You should also consider a vitamin D supplement. Taking vitamin D has been associated with a reduced likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes in adults with prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are elevated but have not yet progressed to full-blown diabetes. The recommended therapeutic dose for vitamin D is between 4000 and 5000 IUs a day.
There are a few supplements that have shown promise in balancing blood sugar levels, including black seed oil and berberine. Make sure you talk to your doctor before taking supplements if you’re already on medication to lower your blood sugar.
Sources:
Not just diabetes: How slightly high blood sugar wrecks men’s sexual health — ScienceDaily
Male Virility Affected By Minimal Rises In Blood Sugar, Study Says — U.S. News & World Report
Erectile dysfunction — Mayo Clinic
Blood Glucose and Exercise — American Diabetes Association
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