Type 2 diabetes in men often hides behind everyday complaints such as low energy, gradual weight gain, and reduced sexual drive—making early detection a challenge.
Dr. Rilwan Adan, Head of the Lions Diabetes and Care Centre, highlights erectile dysfunction (ED) as one of the most overlooked complications in men with diabetes. “ED in people living with diabetes is typically linked to nerve damage caused by prolonged high blood sugar, poor blood circulation, and low testosterone,” she explains.
Research suggests that up to one in three men with type 2 diabetes may experience low testosterone. Symptoms include low libido, fatigue, depressed mood, poor concentration, increased body fat, and decreased muscle mass.
Can Diabetes-Induced ED Be Reversed?
Not all cases of diabetes-related ED are permanent. According to Dr. Adan, early-stage erectile dysfunction can often be reversed with proper diabetes management—through blood sugar control, healthy lifestyle changes, and sometimes medication. However, if diabetes is left unchecked, the resulting nerve damage may become severe, making complete recovery less likely.
Beyond sexual health, uncontrolled diabetes can also impair sperm quality and even lead to changes in DNA structure, known as epigenetic modifications.
Early Cardiovascular Risks and Silent Symptoms
Men with diabetes are also at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases at a younger age than women. “You’d typically expect these complications around age 65, but we’re now seeing them in men as young as their late 30s to early 50s,” says Dr. Adan.
While the biological mechanisms of diabetes are similar across genders, outcomes often differ. This, she says, is largely due to men’s delayed healthcare-seeking behavior. “Many men only visit the hospital when symptoms become severe, delaying diagnosis and treatment.”
One of the challenges in diagnosing type 2 diabetes early is its subtlety. “It can be silent. Many men go months without noticeable symptoms apart from fatigue,” she adds.
How Diabetes Affects the Male Body
Dr. Adan emphasizes that type 2 diabetes is much more than high blood sugar—it disrupts energy metabolism, hormonal balance, muscle health, and mental wellbeing.
“Glucose is essential for muscle energy. In type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance prevents sugar from entering the muscle cells. Instead, it lingers in the bloodstream and is stored as fat,” she says.
This leads to common signs such as weight gain around the midsection—referred to as central adiposity. This abdominal fat, especially when it surrounds vital organs or the liver, significantly raises the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Another physical clue is darkened skin in body folds like the neck or armpits, a condition called acanthosis nigricans, which signals insulin resistance.
Muscle health also deteriorates. “When muscles can’t access glucose, even walking can feel tiring. Over time, this results in muscle loss and persistent fatigue,” says Dr. Adan.
Compounding the issue is low testosterone—or hypogonadism—which is common in diabetic men and contributes to further fat accumulation and muscle loss.
The Role of Lifestyle and Mental Health
Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol intake, poor diet, chronic stress, and irregular medical check-ups exacerbate diabetes. Mental health also plays a key role.
“Around one-third of men with type 2 diabetes experience emotional distress related to the condition, yet men are less likely to seek help,” Dr. Adan notes.
Her advice is straightforward: “Men need to take charge of their health. Eat well, stay active, monitor blood sugar levels, and prioritize mental health. Diabetes is manageable, but it requires consistent effort.”
Read more:
