Diabetes can affect both men and women sexually in many ways. Some diabetics or diabetic couples may lead perfectly healthy sex lives although in some cases diabetes can cause sexual problems to arise. There are certain aspects that affect both men and women combined and others that are separate to each gender.
There are plenty of things that can affect your sexual health and cause loss of libido without having diabetes, although if you have previously failed at those treatments’ diabetes may be the cause. Poorly controlled diabetes can certainly be a factor in people who have a decrease in sexual functions and/or desire.
Physical and Mental Issues May Arise
There are several combined issues that affect diabetics in both genders. Sexual function can affect you both physically and mentally. Some of the psychological effects on people include low self-esteem, poor self-image, stress, anxiety and depression.
A decrease in sex drive in both genders can come down to a range of things some including being tired, low libido and having to invest a large portion of your time into diabetes management.
Both high and low levels of blood sugars can also alter people’s moods affecting their sexual interest. In some diabetic’s certain medications can also decrease your libido so it is important to tell your doctor if you think this may be the issue.
Problems Women May Encounter
In women there are various issues that can affect them sexually from nerves to hormones. Up to 35% of women with diabetes may experience nerve damage and specifically damage to nerves which stimulate sexual responses.
Nerves can be damaged due to poor control of diabetes and these can affect your sexual organs which play a role in stimulation, arousal and pleasure.
Some women also complain of little to no feeling in their genital area which makes arousal almost impossible.
These nerves also trigger a release of natural lubricants in the vagina although if the nerves are damaged the lubricant is not released resulting in painful dry sex, reduced ability to orgasm and the need for synthetic lubricants.
There is an increased risk of vaginal infections in women with diabetes including thrush and urinary tract infections. Both infections are unpleasant and having sex unbearable. Although treatment is available they may be recurring.
When a woman has menstrual bleeding during her period she can experience sudden and frequent drops in blood sugar levels. This can have a negative impact on sexual intercourse as most women will feel the drop and it will ruin the mood or they will have to stop and check their levels.
Some women will also need to check their levels before sex, making it feel like more of a task than a pleasant experience.
Pregnancy is also risky in diabetic women especially in the first crucial weeks of gestation. Blood sugars need to be closely monitored throughout the pregnancy and in the first few weeks when the fetus is forming it is important to keep the levels under control. Having a plan in place before pregnancy can be vital to the health of you and your baby.
There are a few issues related to diabetes that can make it hard to conceive naturally. There is an increased risk in women of getting PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) as well as an increased risk of obesity which also leads to complications and conception problems.
These need to be addressed and spoken about to your healthcare professional before trying for a baby.
Problems Men May Encounter
Men with diabetes may experience a large range of decreased sexual functions from penile to hormone levels. Reduced testosterone levels can account for a low libido which can cause your desires for sexual intercourse to decrease. There are also a few issues surrounding the penis which can be affected by poorly maintained of blood sugar levels.
Erectile dysfunction is one of the main issues surrounding men with up to 50% of them experiencing it when they have had diabetes for 10 or more years. This can be due to the blood flow being affected from damaged or blocked vessels caused by diabetes.
Nerves can also stop an erection from happening. The nerves affect the brains ability to communicate the signal from the penis to the brain to tell it to form the erection.
Peyronie’s disease, or penile curvature, is another condition that is more likely to occur in men with diabetes. This condition occurs when a man develops scar tissue, also known as plaque, in the penis. This makes the penis curve when erected causing painful intercourse for the man and reducing sexual desire. Penile curvature can also cause erectile dysfunction.
Sexual difficulties are often over looked or not discussed openly with your partner or doctor as it is an embarrassing topic for most. Talking the problem over with your partner may help your relationship and encourage you to seek help.
It is important to remember that your healthcare professional deals with sexual function problems regularly and it is a normal issue to discuss and not something to be ashamed of. They can offer you treatment pathways to consider and check of any other underlying issues that may need further assistance.
