Introduction:
Sexual health is essential to the general health and well-being of people, couples, and families, as well as the social and economic growth of communities and countries. According to World Health Organization (WHO), Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity [
1]. Sexual health is more than just the absence of disease and the presence of positive sexual experiences, intimacy, and well-being. It is a fundamental aspect of overall health and a key component of comprehensive health care [
2]. It involves having a positive and respectful attitude towards sexuality, seeking pleasure and fulfillment during sexual interactions, and abstaining from discrimination and violence. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an interconnected concepts with sexual health that emphasize the significance of addressing sexual well-being for individuals experiencing difficulties to achieve or maintain an erection. It is a common disorder that affects millions of men’s sexual health worldwide [10, 11]. The significance of managing sexual disorders, particularly ED, cannot be understated due to its tremendous impact on numerous aspects of individuals’ lives. ED can be defined as the inability to achieve or maintain sufficient rigidity of the penis for sexual intercourse [
12]. Several factors are included for normal erectile functions such as sexual desire or libido for the partner, enough circulation of blood from the iliac artery to the corpora cavernosal which is responsible for erecting and rigid enough for adequate penetration, the ejaculation of sperm, and a good sense of orgasm [
13]. According to International Consultation Committee for Sexual Medicine, the prevalence of ED was 1%–10% in men younger than 40 years, 2%–9% among men between 40 and 49 years, and it increased to 20%–40% among men between 60–69 years, reaching the highest rate in men older than 70 years (50%–100%) [
14].
In the modern world, metabolic disorders are increasing rapidly due to the changes in the lifestyle, diet and environmental factors. Diabetes is one of the common metabolic disorders in which the body cannot produce enough insulin or the peripheral cells resist to use insulin effectively [3-5]. The number of diabetic patients increasing day by day with an estimated 422 million people worldwide [
6]. According to WHO diabetes is the major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation. In 2019, 2 million deaths occur due to diabetes and its complications which considered that diabetes is one of the deadliest noncommunicable diseases after cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer [
7]. Insulin resistance, autoimmune disease, hormonal imbalances, pancreatic damage, and genetic mutations are the known etiology of diabetes. Obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, aging, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are the culprits behind this etiology [
8]. Diabetes is associated with both microvascular (diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy) and macrovascular (CVD) complications [
5]. People with diabetes have a higher risk of CVD which includes coronary heart diseases (CHD), hypertension, elevated low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL), and obesity [
9].
Diabetes can significantly effect on intimate health for both man and women. Women with diabetes are the higher group of sexual disorders than that of healthy women. Lack of vaginal lubrication, pain during sexual intercourse, and inability to orgasm are all symptoms of high or low blood glucose levels. Diabetic women also experience higher rate of depression which may cause low sexual drive [
10]. According to the statement of American Diabetes Association, Men and women experience low libido as a result of poorly managed diabetes [
11]. Several studies have shown that ED is more in men with diabetes compared to healthy men [
12]. On average, ED occurs 10–15 years earlier in patients with diabetes compared to non-diabetic. The proposed mechanism behind ED in diabetes includes central and autonomic diabetic neuropathy, endothelial dysfunction, and smooth muscle dysfunction [
13]. The involvement of neuropathic and angiopathic changes due to high blood glucose contributes to ED [
14]. Intimate relationships and sexual satisfaction can be negatively impacted by managing a chronic condition like diabetes since these emotions can cause stress, anxiety, and sadness. Moreover, Intimate health can also be negatively impacted by diabetes physically and psychologically which may lead to damaging relationships and communication and emotional connection issues in partnerships.
Men with diabetes are much more likely to have ED than men without diabetes. A study over 1503 participants by Corona and colleague observed that, patient with diabetes 19.4% have mild, mild-to-moderate 15.4%, moderate 10.4%, and severe 21.6% patient are suffering from ED [
15]. Another meta-analysis by XU Wang et all, shows that the overall prevalence of ED in diabetic men without DS was 37.4% [
16]. Another study on 9858 diabetic men reported 3534 (35%) suffering from ED [
17].
In this review, we will focus on the evidences linking Diabetes & ED, treatment options, research and advances in Diabetes-Related ED as it is very important to emphasize sexual health along with management of ED that allows individuals can approach their sexual wellbeing holistically. Promoting overall sexual well-being improves not the quality of life but also enhance reproductive health which plays a crucial role in maintaining a stable human population.
There are three main types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes: This type happens when the body's immune system unintentionally targets and kills the pancreatic cells that make insulin. As a result, little or no insulin is produced by the body. Type 1 diabetes often develops in childhood or adolescence, persons with type 1 diabetes must receive lifelong insulin therapy to survive[
18].
Type 2 diabetes: The most common form of diabetes, accounting for the majority of cases is type 2 diabetes. In type 2 the pancreatic beta cell cannot produce enough insulin and peripheral tissue also develop insulin resistance. Obesity, poor physical activity, high carbohydrate diet maybe the most common cause of type 2 and can develop at any age mostly in adults. Life style modification, oral anti hypoglycemic drug or insulin therapy is the most acceptable treatment for type 2 diabetes [
19].
Gestational diabetes: When blood sugar levels rise too high during pregnancy, gestational diabetes (GD), a kind of diabetes, begins to form. GD usually appears during the middle of pregnancy, between 24 and 28 weeks. Unlike type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes is not brought on by a deficiency in insulin, but rather by other hormones produced throughout pregnancy that may reduce the effectiveness of insulin, a condition known as insulin resistance. After birth, gestational diabetes symptoms go away. In the United States, gestational diabetes is recognized in 3 to 8% of all pregnant women [
20].
Diabetes has both acute and chronic complications. It has a significant impact on overall health, impacting several body systems and perhaps causing a number of issues if glycemic index is poorly maintained. Long term complications such as[
21].
Diabetes vasculopathy, in which increased blood sugar reduce elasticity of the blood capillaries and leads them to constrict, which reduces blood flow. Reducing the flow of blood and oxygen, increase the risk of high blood pressure and damage to both major and small blood vessels. High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease [
22].
Cardiovascular complications, Diabetes is an independent risk factor for CVD in both men and women, according to a substantial body of epidemiological and pathological research [23-25]. Women with diabetes tend to lose a large portion of their natural defenses against getting CVD [
26].65% of people with diabetes have CVDs identified as the reason of death [
27]. Diabetes is a standalone risk factor for numerous types of CVD such as heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease. These disorders are facilitated by high blood sugar levels as well as additional risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol [
28].
Kidney Complications, Possibly the most significant site of microvascular damage in diabetes is the kidney [
29]. Due to their condition and/or additional co-morbidities including hypertension and nephron loss brought on by aging, a significant portion of people with diabetes will acquire kidney disease [
30]. The prevalence and severity of chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be used to identify those who are more likely to experience unfavorable health outcomes and die young [
31].
Nerve Complications, Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes [32-34]. The result of persistent hyperglycemia, a downstream metabolic cascade that involves increased polyol pathway flux, increased formation of advanced glycation end products, excessive cytokine release, activated protein kinase C, exaggerated oxidative stress, and other confounding factors results in peripheral nerve injury
Eye Complications, The most common and distinctive microvascular consequence of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, which continues to be the dominant factor in avoidable blindness in persons in their working years[
35]. It is identified in a third of people with diabetes and associated with higher risk of fatal systemic vascular consequences such stroke, coronary heart disease, and heart failure. For reducing the risk of retinopathy development and progression, optimal regulation of blood pressure, blood sugar, and perhaps blood lipids must still be maintained[
36].
Increased risk of infection: Patients with diabetes mellitus are more likely to get infectious infections, which could lead to an increase in morbidity [
37]. The hyperglycemic environment that promotes immune dysfunction (such as damage to neutrophil function, depression of the antioxidant system, and humoral immunity), micro- and microangiopathies, neuropathy, decrease in the antibacterial activity of urine, gastrointestinal and urinary dysmotility, and greater number of medical interventions in these patients is what leads to the higher frequency of infections in diabetic patients[
38] [
39]. Mental health issue, the ongoing stress of treating diabetes might exacerbate mental health issues or leave one feeling anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one-third to half of diabetics report diabetes-related anxiety over an 18-month period [
40].
Erectile Dysfunction: Causes and Symptoms:
Erectile dysfunction also known to as “impotence,” referred to consistent and recurrent inability of a man to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. It is frequently linked to a confluence of emotional, psychological, and physical causes. Physical disorders like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, obesity, hormone imbalances, nerve damage, and some drugs can all have an impact on ED [
48]. Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and injuries to the spinal column or pelvic region are examples of neurological conditions that might interfere with erection-inducing nerve signals [
49]. Certain medication such as antihypertensive eg, Hydrochlorothiazide- Benazepril, Chlorthalidone, etc, Antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and antiepileptic drugs eg, Fluoxetine, Tranylcypromine etc, Antihistamines, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Parkinson's disease medications, Antiarrythmics, Histamine H2-receptor antagonists, Muscle relaxants, Prostate cancer medications, Chemotherapy drugs are involved in ED [
50]. Unhealthy life style such as, Smoking, inactivity, poor diet, being overweight or obese, metabolic syndrome, and binge drinking are all modifiable risk factors for ED [51-53]. Stress and anxiety are mental health issues that can impact how the brain communicates with the body to cause a physical response. Stress and anxiety can prevent the brain from communicating with the penis to allow for increased blood flow during an erection [
54].