Having diabetes can affect every aspect of your life, including your sex life. While discussing such matters can be embarrassing for some people, sex is a natural part of life, and your health care professional can offer information that can help you keep your sexual life satisfying.
Many problems related to sexual performance are caused by physical problems, some may be related to the medications used to treat those problems, and sometimes sexual problems have psychological roots. It is important to share any concerns you have about sexual matters with your doctor or another member of your health care team so the cause can be determined and addressed.
When blood glucose levels remain high over long periods, nerves or blood flow to sexual organs can be damaged, which can interfere with sexual function. Your health care provider can suggest techniques to overcome these problems.
Some women with diabetes suffer from poor bladder control, or neurogenic bladder. To prevent problems from occurring with this condition, women should be sure to empty their bladder both before and after intercourse. (This will also help prevent bladder infection.)
Sexual Activity and Diabetes
People who use insulin need to consider and plan for the effects of sexual activity on their overall condition, especially the possibility of a low blood sugar after sex. Here are some measures that can help prevent such a reaction.- Test your blood sugar before having sex. As annoying as this may seem, it is preferable to having to manage severe low blood glucose afterward.
- Eat just before or right after active sex, just as you do with exercise.
- Consider having a snack before going to sleep.
- People who use an insulin pump may want to unhook it during lovemaking to help avoid a low blood sugar reaction. The length of time the pump can be kept off without an injection will depend on your activity level while off the pump.
General Sexual Issues
Keep in mind that many people, both men and women, experience sexual problems at some time, whether they have diabetes or not. Although people are often reluctant to discuss such matters with medical professionals, you can be assured that your doctor is used to hearing people=s sexual concerns. Best of all, once your concerns are out in the open, your doctor will very often be able to offer advice or treatment to resolve them.Many problems related to sexual performance are caused by physical problems, some may be related to the medications used to treat those problems, and sometimes sexual problems have psychological roots. It is important to share any concerns you have about sexual matters with your doctor or another member of your health care team so the cause can be determined and addressed.
Special Concerns of Women
In women, diabetes control is often affected by the MENSTRUAL CYCLE, BIRTH CONTROL choices must take diabetes into account, and there are special considerations related to PREGNANCY and MENOPAUSE.When blood glucose levels remain high over long periods, nerves or blood flow to sexual organs can be damaged, which can interfere with sexual function. Your health care provider can suggest techniques to overcome these problems.
Some women with diabetes suffer from poor bladder control, or neurogenic bladder. To prevent problems from occurring with this condition, women should be sure to empty their bladder both before and after intercourse. (This will also help prevent bladder infection.)
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