The hidden impact of diabetes on male sexual dysfunction and fertility

Abstract

Diabetes affects an increasingly large number of young men of reproductive age. Erectile and ejaculatory difficulties arise due to vascular and neuropathic problems. The treatment of these may have effects on fertility potential. Erectile dysfunction can be treated with mechanical devices and intracavernosal injections. Although these have not been shown to affect fertility directly, they may result in poor compliance and hence reduced frequency of ejaculation with subsequent deterioration in sperm quality. Other medical treatments may have a more direct effect. The phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor pentoxifylline has been shown to affect sperm quality and early embryo development. Therefore, Viagra, also a PDE inhibitor, may affect sperm quality. There is conflicting evidence about this in the literature. Ejaculatory difficulties are also more common in diabetics although treatments such as Trucut testicular biopsy and intracytoplasmic sperm injection have improved the outlook for these patients. There is also some evidence that spermatogenesis is affected by diabetes and that patients have a reduced sperm motility and semen volume. Therefore, diabetes has a significant impact on the fertility of men with this disease both directly and indirectly. The extent of iatrogenic influence on the reduced fertility potential of these patients needs to be researched as a matter of urgency.

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David R.J. Glenn

Former Archbishop of York, now retired