Glycemic control demonstrated a significant association with erectile function in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), while oral antihyperglycemic medication classes showed no independent associations. A cross-sectional analysis published in Life evaluated associations between oral antihyperglycemic therapies and erectile function in this population.

This study included 242 Taiwanese men aged 18-80 years with T2DM. Erectile function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5). Participants were categorized based on 12-month hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) patterns into well-controlled, variably controlled, and poorly controlled groups. Multiple linear regression models adjusted for demographic characteristics, metabolic parameters, and comorbidities examined associations between antihyperglycemic medication classes and IIEF-5 scores.

The mean IIEF-5 score was 18.16 ± 5.68. None of the seven oral antihyperglycemic medication classes demonstrated significant independent associations with erectile function after adjustment. In contrast, glycemic control showed a significant association with erectile function (F(2,192) = 3.390, p = 0.036). Individuals with well-controlled HbA1c had higher IIEF-5 scores compared with those with poor control (mean difference 2.488, p = 0.032).

These findings indicate that glycemic control was associated with erectile function in men with T2DM, while individual medication classes were not independently associated after adjustment. The cross-sectional design limits causal interpretation.