As erectile dysfunction is a highly personal problem, it is not often discussed, but it is an unfortunate condition that can develop from diabetes. It is also one of a group of symptoms that can turn into a more severe ailment.

"Most men do not realise that ED is a warning sign of potential cardiovascular disease," said Dr Timothy Boone, whom is the chairperson for the department of urology at The Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas. “Many men will be worried about their sexual potency, but they should really be concerned about getting their disease process under control."

Sufferers of diabetes have a higher chance of developing atherosclerosis; widely known has hardening of the arteries. A type of plaque builds up on the walls of blood vessels, which supply oxygen and nutrition via blood to the heart. This restriction to blood flow is because of the plaque build-up and is the major cause of erectile dysfunction. "The blood vessels that carry blood flow to cause an erection are very small, so even the smallest amount of obstructing plaque will present itself as a loss of sexual potency," Dr Boone said. It was believed that 90% of erectile dysfunction patients’ problems were psychological and only 10% presenting with a physical reason. Dr Boone now has the opinion that the opposite is more likely. Almost 80% of diabetic males will experience ED in contrast to it only effecting 25% of non-diabetic men.

For over 65 years of age males, it is normal for them to start getting impotency problems, but diabetics can encounter this 10-15 years earlier. More than 300 million men globally, within an age range of 40 to 70, live with the effects of erectile dysfunction. As this is seen as an intimate personal problem, most individuals self-treat themselves with legal medications such as Viagra and Cialis. Dr Boone suggests that an urologist is consulted in order to rule out diabetes or low testosterone. "If you don't take care of the causes of the problem, your ability to maintain an erection is going to be the least of your concerns," Boone said.