Sexual dysfunction of the male with diabetes mellitus.

The literature states that 40 to 60 percent of males with diabetes will at some time become impotent. Nursing awareness and intervention in this problem can make a positive impact on the sexual functioning of males with diabetes. This article supplies suggestions for nursing care of males with diabetes mellitus and autonomic neuropathic impotence. Included is a description of the problem, including incidence, clinical morphology, description of normal male sexual functioning, pathogenesis, differential diagnosis, psychotherapeutic and surgical interventions. Nursing intervention includes a section on counseling by the nurse practitioner.