What Are The Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes in Men?

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition affecting the way a person’s body metabolizes glucose.  Glucose is another word for sugar, and is the body’s energy source.

This means glucose gives you the energy to complete tasks such as get up in the morning and go to work.  Insulin is a hormone that regulates how the glucose moves into the body’s cells.

However, when someone has type 2 diabetes, one of two things occur.  Their body either doesn’t produce enough insulin to move the glucose into their cells, or their body resists insulin effects.

Some general symptoms include increased hunger and thirst, unusual fatigue and blurred vision.

Type 2 diabetes isn’t a one-size-fits-all type of disease.  It can affect people in different ways.

This post will cover some specifics that are common in men.

(Ladies are encouraged to read more about their specifics here).

Male Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

Low testosterone

Testosterone is a hormone required for the development and sexual function in men.  An early symptom of type 2 diabetes is a decreased sex drive.  A low sex drive means a man doesn’t have the desire to want to engage in sexual intercourse.

Men may also notice a change in their sleep patterns, weight gain and decreased strength.

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction occurs when a man can’t achieve or maintain an erection.  This condition is different from a man occasionally having an issue achieving or maintaining an erection because of relationship or intimacy problems.

Men can develop erectile dysfunction for many health reasons such as high blood pressure and nervous system conditions.  They can also develop the inability to achieve and maintain an erection because of lifestyle habits such as stress and smoking.

Retrograde ejaculation

Men who have type 2 diabetes can also experience something called retrograde ejaculation.  It occurs when semen is released into a man’s bladder instead of being expelled from the penis.  One sign of this is a man noticing they are ejaculating less semen than usual.

Autonomic nervous system damage

Diabetes can cause a man to develop autonomic nervous system (ANS).  ANS constricts or widens the blood vessels in a man’s body.  The condition can cause sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction.

This can happen when the nerves and blood vessels in the penis are injured because of ANS caused by diabetes.  The blood vessels slow the movement of blood into the penis.

Hyperosmolar Nonketotic diabetic coma

A man with type 2 diabetes may become severely dehydrated and unable to consume fluids.  This means that he’s not replacing the lost fluids.  This can become a life-threatening situation that may lead to a coma.

Urological issues

Men develop urological issues because of diabetic nerve damage.  Urological damage can range from an inability to control urination, overactive bladder and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Always be on the lookout for odd changes in your body.  Never hesitate to get looked at by your medical care provider.