Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • Type 2 diabetes affects more men than women because men tend to store excess fat around the abdomen, a key risk factor for insulin resistance.
  • Type 2 diabetes affects male fertility, leading to erectile dysfunction, an early complication of uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
  • Some subtle signs of type 2 diabetes in men over 50 are often mistaken for normal aging, which delays diagnosis.
  • Regular glucose checks in men can detect diabetes early, when it’s the easiest to manage.
  • A combination of prescription medications and lifestyle changes can help manage diabetes in men.

Many diabetes management strategies and resources target women, but did you know that type 2 diabetes affects more men? The rising number of diabetes cases among men and frequent delayed diagnoses highlight the need for greater attention. Unlike women who visit their doctor regularly and take preventive health measures, men often overlook early signs until they progress and cause complications. In this article, learn how type 2 diabetes affects men, including its causes and strategies to manage the condition effectively.

How Common Is Type 2 Diabetes in Men?

Based on a study published in the National Library of Medicine, roughly 17.7 million more men than women are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes around the world. Although women often face a higher diabetes risk due to hormonal imbalances, metabolic issues, obesity, and psychosocial stress, type 2 diabetes remains more common in men. 

Why? Scientists hypothesize that several factors are contributing to the rising number of cases. One is that men are more likely to accumulate abdominal fat even at lower BMIs, which increases their incidence rate. Second, diabetes also tends to appear earlier in men than in women. Lastly, men are less likely to visit their doctor and stay informed about their health status. As a result, they get diagnosed late, sometimes when prediabetes has already progressed to diabetes. 

According to the most recent data from the CDC, more men had diabetes overall — 18 out of every 100 men — in comparison with about 14 out of every 100 women. 

What Causes Type 2 Diabetes in Men?

The primary cause of type 2 diabetes in men is insulin resistance, a condition that happens when the body becomes less responsive to insulin signals. Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar. It moves glucose from the bloodstream into cells for fuel. If this function is impaired, sugar builds up in the blood, resulting in insulin resistance. If left untreated, it can progress to prediabetes and diabetes. 

Common risk factors and causes of diabetes in men that trigger insulin resistance are: 

    • A diet packed with processed foods and sugary drinks
    • Little to no physical activity
    • Genetic predisposition, especially when diabetes runs in the family
    • Higher levels of abdominal fat
    • Lower levels of protective body fat

All of these factors can contribute to insulin resistance and ultimately raise the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in men. 

What Are the Effects of Chronic High Blood Sugar on Men?

A study revealed that men are more likely to get diagnosed with impaired fasting glucose than women. Meanwhile, impaired glucose tolerance is generally more prevalent in women. 

Chronic high blood sugar in men can lead to serious complications, including:

    • Men with impaired fasting glucose are at a higher risk of stroke.
    • Men with type 2 diabetes are also at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
    • Low levels of a protein called SHBG and free testosterone in men with type 2 diabetes are linked with a higher risk of death.
    • The incidence of diabetic foot disease is also higher in men than in women. 

Type 2 diabetes can lead to other complications, affecting both men and women. These include diabetic ketoacidosis, kidney failure, serious infections, sepsis, and mental health problems. Because of these, diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S. 

Fortunately, these severe health outcomes are highly preventable. Regularly monitoring blood sugar levels, taking medications as prescribed by your doctor, and adopting a healthy lifestyle can help keep your blood sugar within healthy limits. 

What Are the Symptoms of Diabetes in Men?

As with women, type 2 diabetes in men develops slowly — many don’t even notice anything wrong in their health. If you have a high risk, such as if your parents or close relatives have diabetes, look out for any red flags, regardless of how minor they are. 

Some early signs of diabetes in men include:  

    • Frequent urination
    • Increased thirst
    • Fatigue
    • Slow-healing cuts or wounds
    • Unexplained weight loss

These are classic symptoms of diabetes in men that also occur in women. But the way risk factors accumulate and how diabetes develops and progresses differ between men and women. In men, type 2 diabetes tends to develop at younger ages and at lower body mass indices (BMI) than in women. That means, even if you’re not overweight or obese, you may develop diabetes. Men are also more likely to accumulate abdominal fat, a risk factor for insulin resistance. 

Excess fat around your midsection, increased thirst, fatigue, and subtle physical signs of diabetes in men shouldn’t be ignored. If you catch these warning signs, it’s better to get a blood sugar test. Early diagnosis can prevent complications that may lead to costly hospitalizations and even death. 

Yeast Infections and Genital Health in Diabetic Men

Yeast infections, medically called candidal balanitis, affect many men with diabetes. As the kidneys work to flush out excess sugar from the bloodstream, the resulting sugar-rich urine creates an ideal environment for yeast to grow, particularly around the genitals and under the foreskin.

Some of the symptoms of yeast infections in men include: 

    • Cracked foreskin
    • Itchiness
    • Burning sensation when urinating
    • Thick, lumpy discharge in the folds of the skin
    • Small red spots 
    • Redness, swelling, and soreness

If left untreated, infections can recur, which may lead to scarring or tightening of the foreskin, otherwise called phimosis. 

Stabilizing blood sugar is the most effective way to stop yeast overgrowth. Good hygiene practices, such as washing the genital area daily and using mild soaps, can also help stop infections. If yeast infections persist, consult your doctor. It may be a sign that you need to do more to better manage your blood sugar levels.

What Are the Symptoms of Diabetes in Men Over 50?

Regardless of age, symptoms of type 2 diabetes show up gradually. For men over 50, these subtle signs can easily be mistaken for normal signs of aging. For instance, older adults often experience fatigue from age-related muscle loss. However, fatigue is also a common indicator of rising blood sugar levels. This is how complications can develop quietly — when early symptoms of diabetes are overlooked as normal aging. 

Besides fatigue, other diabetes symptoms in men over 50 that may be mistaken for aging are: 

    • Frequent urination 
    • Increased thirst
    • Unexplained weight loss despite normal eating
    • Vision problems, such as blurriness 
    • Tingling or numbness in the extremities
    • Reduced testosterone levels
    • Slow wound healing and frequent infections
    • Erectile dysfunction (ED)

Diabetes is often detected late in older adults due to its gradual onset, symptoms mistaken for aging, overlapping conditions, and fewer routine checkups. That said, men over 50 should make routine screening part of their annual health exams to detect age-related conditions at their most treatable stage.

Can Type 2 Diabetes Cause Erectile Dysfunction and Other Fertility Issues?

Just as type 2 diabetes increases the risk of fertility and miscarriage in women, it also affects men’s sexual and reproductive health by causing erectile problems. This occurs when excess blood sugar damages the blood vessels and nerves that control erection, causing them to stiffen and narrow. This then reduces their ability to deliver oxygen-rich blood to the male organ, resulting in erectile dysfunction. Over time, it becomes difficult for men to maintain an erection firm enough for sexual activity, contributing to fertility issues. 

The risk of impotence due to diabetes can be reduced by keeping blood sugar levels stable. Strategies for managing blood sugar include taking your doctor’s prescribed medications and adopting healthy lifestyle habits. With proper management, many men can restore healthy sexual function.

What Are the Tips to Manage Type 2 Diabetes in Men?

Here are some tips to manage type 2 diabetes in men.

  • Eat a balanced diet: The diabetes diet for men doesn’t differ from that of women. Choose diabetes-friendly foods, such as leafy greens, whole grains, healthy fats, lean protein, and non-starchy vegetables.
  • Eat smaller, regular meals: Doing so helps prevent post-meal spikes and keeps your energy levels steady throughout the day.
  • Exercise regularly: Working out can improve insulin sensitivity. Every week, aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity that helps lower blood sugar levels, such as cycling, swimming, and weightlifting.
  • Take your medications as prescribed: Your doctor may recommend insulin, oral medications, or injectable GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic or Mounjaro, to improve blood sugar control.
  • Learn how to manage stress: Stress affects blood sugar levels. You need to learn how to regulate emotions and cope with stress using breathing exercises, meditation, and other relaxation techniques.
  • Monitor blood sugar levels at home: Blood sugar readings can reveal trends in how your body responds to the medication, exercise, or the food you consume. Identifying patterns in your blood sugar fluctuations can help you and your doctor adjust your treatment plan.

With consistency and the right medical support, you can manage type 2 diabetes successfully.

When to See a Doctor

Regardless of whether you’re in your 20s or 50s, if you notice symptoms that feel off, you should see your doctor. Here are early symptoms of type 2 diabetes in men to watch out for: 

    • Persistent thirst
    • Unexplained fatigue
    • Frequent urination
    • Sexual dysfunction
    • Numbness in the hands and feet
    • Distorted vision
    • Recurring infection, such as in the skin

Your doctor will perform simple blood tests, such as fasting blood sugar or HbA1C, to confirm or rule out diabetes. Early diagnosis can help prevent kidney, heart, and other organ complications. If you’re over 50, schedule regular checkups to detect subtle signs of type 2 diabetes and other conditions early. 

Living Well With Diabetes: Long-Term Tips for Men

For men, living well with type 2 diabetes requires consistency across various aspects of lifestyle and health care. Below are some health habits you can adopt:

    • Regular checkups, especially if you have a high risk
    • Consistent blood sugar monitoring to detect unhealthy glucose patterns
    • Stress management to prevent hormonal imbalances that may contribute to diabetes
    • Healthy diet and exercise
    • Quality sleep to promote balance in testosterone and other hormones
    • Taking medications as directed by your doctor
    • Working with a supportive healthcare team

With the right care, you can live a fulfilling and healthy life even with diabetes. 

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Type 2 Diabetes in Men Is Manageable

Overall, effective diabetes management in men is similar to that in women. The combination of medications and lifestyle strategies can help control blood sugar levels. Early signs of diabetes in men can be subtle, so be on the lookout for common symptoms, such as frequent urination and thirst. 

Compared with women, diabetes tends to develop earlier in men. If you are genetically predisposed, it’s wiser to get annual checkups or frequent blood tests to detect potential issues at the earliest stage. Diabetes may require lifelong treatment, but effective management makes it possible for men to live well and longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Diabetes causes chronic high blood sugar, which damages the nerves and blood vessels that carry oxygen to the male organ. As a result, men develop erectile issues, affecting their sexual health.

Yes, diabetes can contribute to memory loss. Consistent high blood sugar harms the nerves and blood vessels connected to the brain, which may ultimately lead to dementia. A study found that people with type 2 diabetes are 50%-65% more likely to also develop Alzheimer’s disease.

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to reproductive health issues in men, such as yeast infections and impotence. Complications that affect the kidneys and heart may also occur when blood sugar levels remain consistently high.

Type 2 diabetes is more common in men because their bodies tend to deposit excess fat around the abdomen. Visceral fat affects metabolism and promotes insulin resistance, which may later contribute to diabetes if left untreated.

Type 2 diabetes is more common in men than in women. Women typically have a higher risk burden at diagnosis, but men are more prone to developing abdominal fat and have lower overall protective body fat, raising their overall risk of diabetes.

Yes, low testosterone is associated with insulin resistance in men. Some symptoms of low testosterone that may surface due to early diabetes are fatigue, erectile dysfunction, and low sex drive.

Yes, poorly controlled diabetes can cause hormonal imbalances, which may contribute to erectile dysfunction and abnormal sperm quality. All these factors affect male fertility.

Original Publish Date: 11/30/2021 – Updated 4/07/2025