Why it’s hard for healthcare workers to talk about men’s sexual health in diabetes care

What is it about?

We explored why healthcare professionals often avoid discussing erectile dysfunction (ED) with men who have Type 2 diabetes. Through group discussions with doctors, nurses, and nutritionists in Surabaya, Indonesia, we found that lack of confidence, time, privacy, and social taboos make these conversations difficult. We also gathered ideas from the participants on how to improve care — including more staff training, better privacy in clinics, and health campaigns to normalize talking about sexual health. Our study focuses on understanding the real-world barriers to implementing ED screening in primary care settings.

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Photo by Sweet Life on Unsplash

Photo by Sweet Life on Unsplash

Why is it important?

We highlight a critical but often overlooked aspect of men’s health. Erectile dysfunction is common in men with Type 2 diabetes and can be an early warning for cardiovascular complications. However, it is rarely addressed in routine healthcare visits due to stigma, lack of confidence among healthcare professionals, and insufficient privacy. By identifying these barriers and proposing strategies to overcome them, our findings can help improve early detection, patient well-being, and integration of sexual health into diabetes care — which is essential for better long-term health outcomes.

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