Type 2 Diabetes in Men
Type 2 diabetes in men is diagnosed using the same ADA Standards of Care in Diabetes-2026 criteria as the general population, but it carries a men’s-health-specific consequence worth naming directly: diabetes is one of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction, through both vascular and nerve damage.
Symptoms
Increased thirst and urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds -- plus, often, erectile dysfunction as an early or presenting symptom that brings men in before the diabetes itself is diagnosed.
Causes and risk
Excess weight, inactivity, family history, and age are the main risk factors; screening starts at 35, or earlier with overweight/obesity plus another risk factor.
How it is evaluated
A1c, fasting glucose, and sometimes an oral glucose tolerance test confirm the diagnosis; men presenting primarily with erectile dysfunction should be screened for diabetes if it hasn't already been ruled out.
Treatment
Metformin remains a common first-line agent; GLP-1 and SGLT2 medications are recommended independent of A1c for men with cardiovascular disease, heart failure, or kidney disease, per the ADA 2026 guideline. Good glucose control over time can meaningfully improve erectile function, since much of the damage is related to sustained high blood sugar rather than being fixed and permanent.
When to seek care
Diabetic ketoacidosis (nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, confusion) is a medical emergency requiring immediate care.