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Because of fluctuations in blood glucose levels, it's common for people with diabetes to have sexual problems (impotence, dryness, prone to yeast and other infections). Communicating openly with your health care team and your partner is important. And so is managing your blood glucose levels. The tighter control you have, the more you reduce your risk of developing diabetes complications. Staying Sexually Healthy
In both men and women with diabetes, three bodily systems can cause sexual health problems. Naturally, our bodies express these problems differently, simply because of the ways in which men's and women's bodies differ. These systems, which are also commonly responsible for other complications of diabetes (such as eye, kidney, nerve, and cardiovascular disease), are:
- the vascular system, which carries blood through our veins and arteries
- the extensive system of nerves throughout our bodies (neural system)
- the endocrine system, which produces hormones, from insulin to testosterone and estrogen
Poor diabetes control increases the risk of developing complications such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease, which could contribute to sexual health complications. On the other hand, as is true with many other areas of healthy living, keeping glucose levels as near to normal as possible helps maintain sexual health, from avoiding impotence and painful intercourse to ensuring a successful pregnancy.
The keys to staying sexually healthy are really no different than maintaining good health in general:
- Learn about it. The more you know, the better you'll take care of your diabetes and your health.
- Talk about it. Open communication within a trusting relationship is crucial. This applies to your partner and your health care providers!
- Care about it. Practice good self-management to keep your diabetes in as good control as possible. That means eating right, exercising, taking medication as prescribed, and testing your blood glucose frequently. Glucose testing is the only way to be certain that your glucose level is where it should be, or to make necessary adjustments.
Sexual Organs
When the small vessels and nerves to the sexual organs are damaged (from neuropathy), men may experience impotence and women may experience vaginal dryness and loss of sensation. Good long-term control of blood glucose can help prevent or reduce diabetes-related sexual problems. You may consider seeing a urologist specializing in diabetes, who can provide options to treat impotence. Women may find lubricating creams helpful in treating vaginal dryness.
Diabetes and Dating: Diabetes makes you deal with many issues - not only physical, but also emotional and psychological - including those that crop up when dating. See the perspectives of several people with diabetes. (February 2005)
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