Can diabetes cause infertility in men?

It's high time to take your blood glucose level seriously as it can lead to ED or impotence, low sperm count, sperm damage and low libido.

By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | | Updated: May 23, 2017 9:33 am

According to a recent report by IDF (International Diabetes Federation), India continues to be the diabetes capital of the world, and by 2030, nearly 9 percent of the country s population is likely to be affected by diabetes. Given the stats, it is important to keep your blood glucose level in control, especially if you are planning to start a family as diabetes can affect your sex life as well. Women can suffer from diabetes during pregnancy, known as gestational diabetes, which can put the mother and the child at risk of diabetes in the near future, but high blood glucose level in men (if left uncontrolled) can cause infertility. Dr Anubha Singh, Gynecologist and IVF Specialist from Shantah IVF Centre shares how diabetes can cause male infertility. Also Read - Male Infertility: Tips to boost sperm count and increase fertility

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Not many people know that men with diabetes may take longer to bring about a conception in their wives. Diabetes can directly affect the fertility in the human body, and the chances of infertility in men with diabetes are higher as compared to infertility in women with diabetes. This is because high glucose level causes oxidative stress which damages the DNA of the sperm. Fragmented or damaged DNA further causes a natural death of the cells making it difficult for men to make their wives pregnant. Not just this, uncontrolled diabetes can affect the small blood vessels and nerves that lead to ejaculation, leading to erectile dysfunction. Moreover, increased blood glucose levels can lower the levels of testosterone, a hormone that controls sexual drive in men. Here’s more on ways diabetes kills your sex life.

On the other hand, if your wife is pregnant with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, she might have the higher chances of abortion or miscarriage. Moreover, babies of a mother with gestational diabetes are more likely to be stillborn or may remain malnourished.

Can it be controlled?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that is caused when either pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the cells in the body do not respond adequately to the insulin. However, it can be managed through lifestyle modification including a healthy diet and regular exercise. It is best to keep your blood glucose level in check before it affects your sex life and leads to infertility in men. Erectile dysfunction can be controlled with medications that improve blood flow to the reproductive organ and lead to an erection. However, to deal with it, it is important to know the symptoms of diabetes and keep your diabetes in control. Also, if you are aged above 30 years, overweight or obese with BMI 23-24.9kg/m2 or have a family history (one or both the parents having diabetes) of diabetes, it is wise to seek medical advice before it develops into serious complications such as male infertility. Also read about infertility in men diagnostic tests to identify the problem.

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Published : February 20, 2017 3:32 pm | Updated:May 23, 2017 9:33 am

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