Highlights
- Premature ejaculation and diabetes are related. Research shows that men with diabetes have higher rates of PE.
- Diabetes is a cause of premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction.
- As many as one in three men experience premature ejaculation.
- Psychological factors can also cause PE.
- Medications for ED can also help men who experience PE.
Premature ejaculation and diabetes are linked in the research. Premature ejaculation (PE) is the most common sexual dysfunction in men, and men with diabetes experience it more often. Understanding what causes PE can help you take steps toward a more satisfying sex life. Here, we’ll answer 10 of the most common questions men have about diabetes and PE.
1. What is premature ejaculation?
Premature ejaculation is when a man ejaculates, or comes, more quickly than he or his partner would like. It’s a common sexual complaint, and as many as one in three men report that their sex life is affected by PE.
For men who ejaculate sooner than they would like, their experience can range from not being able to hold off on ejaculating for more than a few minutes to ejaculating before intercourse begins.
2. How is premature ejaculation diagnosed?
Men are diagnosed with PE when:
- They can’t hold off on ejaculating for more than a minute during sex
- Their inability to delay ejaculation happens most or all of the time
- Their problems with ejaculating are causing emotional or psychological distress
Read Is Performance Anxiety the Cause of My Premature Ejaculation?
3. What causes premature ejaculation?
The exact causes of premature ejaculation in many men is unknown. The ejaculation process is complex and involves a variety of psychological and biological factors. Ejaculation can be affected by any of the following:
- Stress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Age
- Medications
- Other medical conditions
4. Is there a link between premature ejaculation and diabetes?
Yes. Researchers have noticed that rates of PE are higher in men with diabetes. Men with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes have higher rates of premature ejaculation.
5. Does diabetes cause premature ejaculation?
The mechanism behind ejaculation is complex and isn’t well understood. We do know that diabetes is a disorder that affects multiple systems in the body, so it’s not surprising that it can have an effect on ejaculation.
Here are a few possible reasons for that effect that scientists are working to understand:
- Glycemic control. Men with diabetes can’t adequately control their sugar levels. Your body uses sugar as energy for everything from muscle contraction to temperature regulation. If your sugar is out of whack, it’s very likely to affect your ejaculation.
- Neuropathy. Diabetes can cause long-term nerve damage in your body, including in your genitals, which can lead to sexual disfunction.
- Vascular complications. There’s a strong link between diabetes and cardiovascular problems. Diabetes can cause problems with blood flow in the body, including to the penis, which can cause erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
6. What about prediabetes?
Researchers aren’t sure yet. There is a possible link between prediabetes and premature ejaculation, but for now, the link is still controversial. We know that men with prediabetes are more likely to have low testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction, but more research is needed to better understand the link between prediabetes and PE.
7. I can orgasm, but there’s no semen. Is my diabetes causing that?
There are several reasons why a man might have a dry orgasm, including genetic factors, low testosterone, and surgery, and most aren’t related to diabetes. However, in some cases, ejaculatory dysfunction can be linked to diabetes.
These ejaculatory problems include:
- Premature ejaculation
- Retrograde ejaculation, when semen releases into the bladder rather than through the urethra
- Anejaculation, not being able to ejaculate at all
- Delayed ejaculation
- Painful ejaculation
Read When Should You See a Urologist for Your Sexual Dysfunction?
8. Can diabetes cause premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and low libido?
Yes. There is a strong and well-researched link between diabetes and erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and low libido.
9. Can supplements help with premature ejaculation from diabetes?
There is some evidence that one supplement may help with premature ejaculation: folic acid. Folic acid plays an important role in creating neurotransmitters in your brain and may help your brain send and receive messages more effectively. Since there is a strong connection between your nerves, your brain, and your ability to ejaculate, folic acid may help with PE.
The good news is that folic acid may also be good for men with diabetes. Research has shown that folic acid supplements may help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in diabetics. Since your cardiovascular system is also strongly linked to your sexual function, it’s a good idea to get 200 micrograms of folic acid a day.
10. Can erectile dysfunction medications help with premature ejaculation?
Yes. A group of medications known as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i’s) can help both erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. You probably know these medications as ED treatments.
These include:
- Viagra (generic sildenafil)
- Cialis (generic tadalafil)
- Levitra or Staxyn (generic vardenafil)
Many of these medications are most effective when combined with other treatments. In some cases, doctors will prescribe an antidepressant for treatment of premature ejaculation. In others, a premature ejaculation kit may help. These kits can include items such as desensitizing wipes and penis rings to boost the effects of medication.
Read Your Guide to Premature Ejaculation [Latest Research + Videos]
Are you ready to reclaim your sexual health?
You don’t need to let diabetes rob you of a healthy and happy sex life. eDrugstore carries FDA-approved medications and PE kits that can help you manage your premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction.
We’re standing by seven days a week to answer your questions and offer a free consultation with a U.S. licensed physician. Browse our medication guide or call 1-800-467-5146 to start your journey back to a satisfying love life.
Elizabeth Nichols is an experienced and flexible author with extensive experience in both popular media and academic publishing. She specializes in health, medical and travel writing.