Diabetes and Sex: How Does Diabetes Affect the Sex Life?

Diabetes is a serious health problem. Not only does it affect an individual’s personal life, but it also affects their sexual life too.

Diabetes is a disease that leads to high blood sugar levels in the body. This condition, in turn, allows the improper usage of insulin. Sometimes, diabetes, in the long run, can lead to nerve damage, mental imbalance, and cardiovascular problems.

The side effects mentioned above have negative implications on sexual health too.

Normally, sexual issues are seen in people suffering from type 2 diabetes. The main issue here is the reduction in libido.

Diabetes and Sex: Reasons for Low Libido

In simple terms, libido means sexual drive. The higher your libido is, the more you’d want to have sex. The exact opposite happens when your libido is low. This is commonly seen in people with type 2 diabetes. Here are a few reasons for this:

• side effects of medications for high blood pressure or depression,
• lack of energy,
• depression,
• hormonal changes,
• stress, anxiety, and relationship issues.

Impact of Diabetes On Women

High blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage throughout the body. Issues such as no proper release of vaginal lubricant, inability to experience sexual stimulation can be a few factors that impact the sexual aspects of women. These problems can lead to pain during sex and can also affect the ability to experience an orgasm.

Women with diabetes encounter low blood sugar levels during menopause. A fall in sugar levels can also affect their sexual health. So, what’s the solution? Lubricants. Well, other than diabetes medications, that is.

Using lubricants, especially the ones which are water-based, is the best solution to deal with vaginal dryness.

Impact of Diabetes On Men

Diabetes reduces testosterone levels in men. It can also lead to one of the major sexual health issues – Erectile Dysfunction (ED). See, with the help of vessels, the blood flows to the organs, including the penis. Men with diabetes suffer from damaged blood vessels. This, in turn, reduces the blood flow. As a result, less blood flows to the penis; making it difficult to get an erection.

Now, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that low testosterone along with the issue of ED can have unfavorable effects on sexual life. So, what’s the solution? Medications.

One thing that works alongside the medications & has proven to be beneficial is stress reduction. Studies have shown that reducing the amount of stress can show positive results in people with diabetes; simultaneously, in their sex life. Doctors recommend activities like meditation, exercising, listening to music, reading a book, etc.

There you have it, brief information on diabetes and sex. If you have any more useful information that you’d like to share with us, drop it in the comments below.