Diabetes Mellitus has now become quite common and is reaching epidemic proportions in India. High blood sugar levels have been shown to cause infertility in males. Diabetes can slow down blood circulation by narrowing blood vessels. Erectile dysfunction is one of the common complication caused by diabetes. Diabetes also causes mitochondrial DNA damage in sperms which make them incapable of fertilisation. Poor blood supply further leads to nerve damage (neuropathy) resulting in retrograde ejaculation in which semen is redirected into urinary bladder, instead of being ejaculated via the penis. Research says that nearly 40 percent of men affected by erectile dysfunction are diabetic. All these factors cause significant reduction in chances of insemination, fertilisation of egg and reduces the chances of live birth of a healthy and normal child.
