Sex is good for diabetes, good for heart health, improves circulation, and keeps people in a good mood.
However, if you are diabetic, you may have painful intercourse or difficulty getting an erection, in which case sex can be less appealing. About 35% of women with diabetes seem to have sexual problems. But that doesn’t mean it has to be endured all the time, and a normal sex life can be restored with treatment.
“Some women have problems that are more difficult to treat than men, but most are treatable,” says Janis Roszler, a diabetes educator, marriage therapist, and author of Sex and Diabetes: For Him and For Her. Roszler says. “Any woman with diabetes has the opportunity to have a satisfying and enjoyable sex life, and there’s no reason to deny that.”
Sexual challenges for women
The causes of sexual problems in women with diabetes are more unclear than in men with diabetes. Nerve damage, slowed blood flow to the vagina and reproductive organs, and emotional and hormonal changes may be among the causes.
Common factors that affect sexuality include the following.
- Vaginal dryness. This is the most common sexual problem for women with diabetes. People with diabetes are two times more likely to experience vaginal dryness than healthy women. If you are in menopause or menopause, the cause of vaginal dryness may be a decrease in estrogen, otherwise it may be due to damage to the nerves that are responsible for lubricating the vagina. Vaginal dryness can lead to a vicious cycle. If painful intercourse occurs because of vaginal dryness, you may feel tense during sex, which may exacerbate the pain, or you may refuse to have sex.
- Vaginal infections. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause painful intercourse. Yeast infections can also cause painful intercourse as well as vaginal dryness. “Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing yeast or other vaginal infections if their condition is poorly controlled.” notes Dr. David G. Merrero, president of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Department of Health Care and Education.
- Sexual desire and orgasm problems. Patients may find it difficult to get into the groove, or get into the groove, but are unable to have an orgasm. Orgasmic disorders are a concern for many women with diabetes, and a 2012 study found that women using insulin to treat their diabetes were more likely to have orgasmic disorders than women without diabetes. The exact causes regarding low libido and orgasmic disorder are not known.
How do I get back to a normal sex life?
For some sexual problems, simple, quick treatment is enough. But some problems may require a two-pronged or three-pronged approach.
Start by getting medical attention
About 80% of women with diabetes do not tell their doctors about their sexual problems. Don’t be like them. Your doctor can help troubleshoot possible causes of sexual problems and recommend treatment.
There can be many different causes of sexual problems, and some are not even related to diabetes. Certain antidepressants and antibiotics can cause side effects in sexual function. Other health problems or habits, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can also have an effect.
To relieve vaginal dryness
Prescription or over-the-counter vaginal lubricants can lubricate the vagina and improve the quality of your sex life. However, it should not be used only when you need to have sex. Regular use of lubricant can help improve vaginal dryness. Ask your OB/GYN to recommend a lubricant, especially if you are preparing to get pregnant (some lubricants can interfere with sperm).
If you are in menopause or menopause, you can use a prescription low-dose estrogen ring or cream in the vagina. By administering the drug in this way, estrogen is not absorbed systemically. This results in a relatively low chance of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. There is also a hormone-free medication that can help improve painful intercourse after menopause. ospemifene has estrogen-like effects that thicken and enhance the vagina. The drug does have warnings about an increased risk of stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and endometrial cancer.
Exploring areas of arousal
If you lose your sexual desire or sensation, try new technology or sex toys to explore body parts beyond the vulva. Increase intimacy through oral sex, vibrators, stroking or massage. Also, if needed, slow down the pace of sex. “Diabetes slows the body’s response.” Roszler explains. “Tell your partner that you need to take it slow.”
Chasing away laziness
Exercise can improve your sex life in many ways. Exercise reduces stress, improves flexibility, and releases the hormones that make you feel good and keep you looking and feeling good.
See if you’re depressed
“It’s important to know that many women with diabetes are depressed.” Marrero notes. “If there is a tendency toward depression, you should get tested. If depression is definitely present, it should be treated.” Roszler says that if you’re nervous about pain during intercourse, counseling can also help.
Try a Mediterranean-style diet
In a 2010 study, women with type 2 diabetes were more satisfied with all aspects of their sex lives when compared to a control group of women who had a diet based on fruits, vegetables, potatoes, beans, and whole grains. The Mediterranean diet also improved blood sugar levels better than a standard low-fat diet and prevented diabetes-related health problems. That’s a double whammy.
Getting diabetes under control
Get your blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control. There are other benefits to doing this, such as a lower chance of urinary tract and vaginal yeast infections. There may still be some sexual problems, but just as sex is good for diabetes, staying healthy is good for sex.