5 Sign & Symptoms of High Blood Sugar(Diabetes) in Men

Last updated on April 10th, 2024

Living with diabetes requires vigilance and proactive management for men. Understanding the specific symptoms is crucial for maintaining optimal health. In this blog, we delve into the distinctive aspects of diabetes symptoms in men, exploring how they manifest and offering insights into effective strategies for symptom recognition and management. Whether you’re navigating your diabetes journey or supporting someone close, this comprehensive blog aims to highlight the nuances of diabetes symptoms in men. Thus empowering individuals to take charge of their well-being. Let’s embark on this insightful exploration of diabetes and its impact on men’s health.

Early Signs of Diabetes in Men

Looking out for the early symptoms is the best way to control diabetes and blood sugar for men and women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, early mens diabetes symptoms include: 

• Increase in urination frequency
• Increase in thirst (Polydipsia)
• Deterioration in vision leading to blurry vision
• Abnormal hunger (Polyphagia)
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Sudden weight loss
• Skin gets dried
• Wound healing gets slower
• Body immunity gets depleted (you catch infection more frequently)
• Hands and feet get numb or have a tingling sensation

Early detection of diabetes from these signs can restrict the worsening of the disorder. Thus stopping the progress to severe diabetes-related complications. Complications include:

• Skin diseases
• Diabetic retinopathy (eyes)
• Diabetic neuropathy (nerves and nervous system)
• Diabetic nephropathy (kidney)
• Heart-related issues

Note: Symptoms of prediabetes in males, too, will be similar. Other complications which might occur if you ignore sugar symptoms in males are:

• Infections in your nails (fingers and toes)
• Pains in joints and bodily movements 
• Infections near your eyelids and other hair follicles

Read More: Can Type 2 Diabetes be Reversed Permanently?

Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes in Men

Apart from the general symptoms of type 2 diabetes in men, diabetes can also cause signs and symptoms related to their sexual health. These include:

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is one of the sexual symptoms of sugar diabetes in men. In this, a male faces difficulty in having an erection in the penis. When erectile dysfunction happens, it also can be a sign of other untreated health issues in the body:

• Kidney disorder
• High B.P. (blood pressure) or hypertension
• Nervous system issues
• Circulatory condition
• Obesity and overweight

Erectile dysfunction (ED) can also sometimes occur due to stress and smoking. According to the Diabetes UK website, men with diabetes are at 3X more risk of having erectile dysfunction than non-diabetic males.

So, if you have erectile dysfunction, there is a high chance you have undetected diabetes. 

Retrograde Ejaculation

Retrograde ejaculation is next in this list of diabetes symptoms in men. Diabetic male patients can have sexual symptoms of retrograde ejaculation. In this, there is a decrease in the quantity of semen released in ejaculation or the absence of it. This happens due to some or the majority of semen getting released into the bladder. According to a 2017 medical paper published on the National Institute of Health website, retrograde ejaculation is a rare but severe symptom of diabetes in men.

Autonomic Nervous System Damage

A high level of diabetes or blood sugar can harm the ANS (Autonomic Nervous System). The ANS controls and commands the widening and contraction of blood vessels. When the ANS is damaged, the blood flow in your penis will be hampered, leading to erectile dysfunction. 

Diabetes can inflict harm to your blood vessels and nerves, giving rise to such sexual problems. There are also high chances of having diabetic neuropathy, which is common in individuals with unregulated blood sugar. 

Urologic Disorders

Urologic diseases are other sugar diabetes symptoms in males, which can happen. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), these urologic disorder incidents increase as the diabetic patient ages. Urologic diseases can happen both in males and females. Urologic complications happen as bladder dysfunction, urinary tract infections, etc. The ADA says more than half of diabetic males have bladder dysfunction. In men, lower urinary tract symptoms become more common as their age progresses. Urologic diseases cause diabetic nerve damage, which include:

• Problem in urination
• Loss of ability to control urination
• Urine leakage
• Overactive bladder
• UTIs

Therefore, keep your diabetes in control. Get yourself checked immediately when you experience any of the above symptoms. Early detection will reduce the damage to your body. 

Read More: How to Reverse Prediabetes Naturally?

Other Sexual Problems

Living with undetected diabetes is one of the biggest risks. Diabetes can cause severe sexual disorders like a dip in testosterone levels and sperm count. In men, ageing naturally lessens the sperm count. Diabetes lowers it a bit further than normal. 

When you have diabetes, reports by the National Institute of Health say the sperm count and quality decrease after 40 years of age. You may experience a loss of urge for sex, tiredness, and depression. A decrease in sperm count will lead to problems in conceiving parenthood and, eventually, unhappy married life. There are also chances that you develop Peytonie’s disease. Therefore, keep in check these diabetes side effects in men.

Read More: 15 Foods To Lower Blood Sugar Levels

Diabetes Risk Factors in Men

According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, diabetes side effects in men increase when you do the following:

• Excessive body weight or obesity
• No physical workout
• Having a high B.P. 
• Having high cholesterol
• Crossing the age of 45 years
• Smoking

Read More: What is Glycemic Index And To Calculate?

Treating the Symptoms of Sugar in Males

Here are some detailed steps for managing diabetes symptoms in men:

Lifestyle Modifications

Lifestyle modifications will be your best friend in controlling and even reversing your diabetes and its symptoms. Taking balanced diets full of essential macro and micronutrients, along with regular workout sessions, can do wonders. According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), lifestyle modifications are a must for controlling diabetes.

Following a Meal Plan

• Follow a well-balanced diabetes-friendly diet. The diet should include whole grains, fruits, green and non-starchy veggies. It should also have lean proteins and healthy fats.
• Monitor carb intake and choose complex carbs over simple or refined sugars.
• Control portion sizes to help regulate sugar levels.

Regular Exercise

• Engage in regular physical light to moderate activities. The activities can include brisk walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling.
•  A study published by NIH says one should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity muscle-building workout per week, as advised by your diabetologist.
•  Strength training workouts can also be beneficial.

Monitoring Blood Sugar

• Check blood sugar levels regularly as advised by your diabetologist.
• Keep a log of your readings and share them with your diabetologist during check-ups.
• Understand the target range for blood sugar levels and take action if they deviate.

Medication Management

• Type 2 diabetes symptoms in men can also be treated with the help of medication. 
• There are specific erectile dysfunction medications like tadalafil, vardenafil, sildenafil, etc., which your doctor may prescribe.
• Your diabetologist may also refer you to a urologist who will treat your low testosterone levels. You have to take testosterone injections, gels etc.,
• However, never think of using any of the medicines on your own. Always consult with your doctor when you experience any of the symptoms of high blood sugar in men.

Weight Management

• Achieve and maintain a body weight in accordance with BMI. You can do so by trying a combination of diet and workout.
• For overweight individuals, weight loss, if needed, can contribute to better blood sugar control.

Stress Management

• Stress is a big enemy for diabetes. Control stress levels by practicing stress-reducing techniques. These include activities like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.
• Chronic stress can adversely affect your blood sugar and may heighten it. Therefore so finding effective coping strategies like counselling is beneficial.

Regular Health Check-ups

• Schedule regular medical check-ups with your diabetologist. This practice will help you to monitor your overall health along with diabetes.

Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol

• If applicable, quit smoking as it increases the risk of complications.
• Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol can affect your blood glucose and interact with specific medications.

Remember, individualized care is essential, so work closely with your healthcare team to tailor these general guidelines to your specific needs and circumstances.

Read More: Top 10 Natural Remedies For Diabetes?

Time to visit the doctor

Witnessing any or multiple above symptoms calls for an immediate blood sugar test. You should at once consult with your doctor or a diabetologist. Looking out for the symptoms is important because undetected diabetes, for a long time, inflicts severe damage to the nerves and organs. Diabetes also causes emotional problems, depression, etc. Therefore, seeking medical help is necessary. The doctor is the best person to walk to reality and reveal the truth about diabetes. 

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)