The Impacts Of Diabetes On Sexual Health Of Women

Sex is good for diabetes. It helps to boost blood circulation, improve sleep, boost heart rate and lift your mood. However, diabetes can take a toll on the sexual health of women. Diabetes not only increases the risk of sexual dysfunction in women but also decreases their sexual desire. Women can also face problems in becoming aroused and experiencing orgasms due to diabetes. With that said, it is not necessary that all women with diabetes experience sexual problems. Good management of diabetes and sexual health can help you prevent these complications and enjoy a fulfilling sex life.      

What Sexual Problems Do Diabetes Cause In Women?

High blood sugar levels, nerve damage, obesity and many other factors associated with diabetes can affect the sexual health of women and cause sexual dysfunction. Some of the sexual problems faced by women due to diabetes are discussed below. 

• Vaginal Dryness:

High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the body, leading to reduced blood flow in the vagina. This may cause a lack of lubrication and make sex painful. Vaginal dryness may also be caused due to nerve damage and hormonal changes. It is more common among women who are in the menopausal or postmenopausal stage due to the lack of estrogen in their bodies.

• Vaginal Infections:

Women with diabetes have a higher risk of developing urinary tract infections (UTIs) and vaginal yeast infections. This can make sexual activity extremely painful and uncomfortable. 

• Loss Of Sex Drive:

High blood sugar levels in the body may cause a decrease in the libido or sex drive of women. Many diabetes complications such as depression, anxiety and high blood pressure can also negatively impact the libido and cause sexual problems for women. 

• Trouble With Orgasms:

Diabetes may cause peripheral neuropathy, a condition in which your nerves get damaged. Nerve damage can cause a lack of sensation in the clitoris, which is important for orgasms. Furthermore, reduced blood flow can also make it hard for women to experience orgasms.      

• Hormonal Changes:

Changes in the level of estrogen can negatively affect the libido and lubrication in women, causing problems in becoming sexually aroused and experiencing orgasms. Women with diabetes are more prone to suffering from hormonal imbalance during menopausal and postmenopausal stages. 

• Emotional Toll:

Diabetes and diabetes complications can take a toll on the patient as well as their partner, negatively affecting their sexual desire. Furthermore, the time and energy spent in managing diabetes can make them feel exhausted, taking a toll on their sexual activity.

Can Diabetes Affect Female Fertility?

There are many reasons that may cause infertility in women, such as:

• Obesity or being underweight
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Irregular or absent periods
• Endometrial cancer
• Premature ovarian failure

These factors are more likely to develop in women with diabetes, leading to a higher risk of infertility. Nonetheless, women with diabetes can prevent these complications and get pregnant if they keep their blood sugar levels controlled and maintain healthy body weight. Even during pregnancy, regulating your blood sugar levels is extremely important to prevent miscarriage and other complications.  

How To Prevent Diabetes From Affecting Your Sex Life?

• Discuss your concerns regarding your sexual health with your doctor. They might be able to adjust your medications to help you with your sexual problems. 
• Avoid smoking and drinking excessively. Both alcohol and cigarettes can adversely affect the sexual health of women with diabetes.
• Use over-the-counter vaginal lubricants to ease vaginal dryness and make your sex less painful. 
• Your body may take time to respond to sexual activities due to diabetes. Take your time and explore your pleasure zones to enjoy sex. Improve the relationship with your partner with massages and cuddling to spice up your sex life. 
• Exercise daily. It helps to regulate your blood sugar levels and reduce stress in the body.  
• Eat a healthy and balanced diet to control your blood sugar levels. Also, maintain a healthy blood pressure level and body weight to avoid diabetes complications and sexual problems.
• Ask your doctor about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to improve your sexual health. Medications can vastly help you increase your libido and reduce vaginal dryness. 

Takeaway:

Diabetes can negatively affect the sexual health of women and cause many problems such as a decrease in libido, vaginal dryness, vaginal infections, problems with orgasms, infertility etc. Therefore, maintaining blood sugar levels and managing these sexual complications is very important to enjoy a healthy sexual life. 

References:

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/sex-health
2. https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/complications/sex-diabetes
3. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications/sexual-problems-women
4. https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/30/9/2271
5. https://www.yourfertility.org.au/everyone/health-medical/diabetes
6. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/pregnancy-complications/infertility-in-women.html
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19863473/
8. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/pregnancy-complications/fertility-and-diabetes.html
9. https://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/how-can-diabetes-affect-a-womans-sex-life-2/
10. https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/25/4/672
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4430881/
12. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-link-between-diabetes-and-sexual-dysfunction/