Men with diabetes are known to be at an elevated risk of developing erectile dysfunction, but the reason for this link has remained somewhat unclear. However, new research suggests that the answer may lie in testosterone.

A team of researchers from ZRT Laboratories in Beaverton, Oregon recently found that low testosterone levels significantly increase the risk of developing insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes, according to MedPage Today.

Low testosterone levels are also one of the leading causes of sexual performance problems and erectile dysfunction in men. Testosterone levels tend to decrease with age, making men far more vulnerable to these problems.

Hormone replacement therapy may help reduce the risk of both diabetes and erectile dysfunction. However, the authors of the present study said that this may bring up further health complications. Their findings showed that men with the highest testosterone levels were more likely to have high cholesterol. Therefore, they urged caution when prescribing treatments.
“Testosterone supplementation is being increasingly used to help reverse symptoms of metabolic syndrome,” Margaret Groves, who led the study, told the news source. “However, data is sparse regarding the direct effects of testosterone levels on cardiometabolic risk markers.”

Instead of risking hormone therapy, men who are experiencing some difficulty in the bedroom may want to consider constant resistant rings to help them get an erection.