Sexual problems will happen to almost everyone at some point. Whether you have diabetes or not.
If you have diabetes, it doesn’t mean you’ll definitely have a problem. But people with diabetes are more at risk of sexual dysfunction.
If you have problems at any point, they might not last forever, and there are things that can help.
Sex and diabetes shouldn't cause worry or anxiety for you.
It's important to remember that sex is exercise, so it might make your sugars drop.
It can be a good idea to check your blood sugars before having sex if you have been asked to monitor your levels at home.
Some people with diabetes can get nervous about having hypos during or after sex. If you've had hypos in the past, then it's natural to worry about having them again.
Talking to your partner about your fears about sex and diabetes might help. They could even help you plan and prepare in case of a hypo.
It can also be worth having something sugary nearby just in case, so you can treat a hypo if you need to. This will only happen if you take medications that cause hypos (such as insulin).
Both men and women with diabetes are more likely to have sexual problems than people without.
If you have high blood sugar levels for a long time, it can lead to serious complications. This can include sexual issues.
High blood sugar levels can affect your nerves and blood vessels. This is called neuropathy.
This means that they can also affect the ones that supply blood to your sexual organs. If this happens, you'll have less blood flow into these areas. Losing sensation can mean becoming aroused physically and emotionally can be more difficult.
The most common type of sexual problem for men is erectile dysfunction.
This is when you can’t get or keep an erection. Early signs could be if you start to lose your morning erection.
This can be treated with pills like Viagra and Cialis. But talk to your healthcare team before taking these, as they can cause heart problems.
For women, having diabetes can mean you’re more at risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), thrush and vaginal dryness.
High blood sugar can cause damage to blood vessels in your vagina. This leads to a lack of lubrication. As a result, sex can be very painful. Similarly, restricted blood flow and nerve damage can mean you feel less stimulation.
Many different lubricants can help with vaginal dryness. You can buy these from your local chemist.
This might seem a bit embarrassing. That's understandable. But it’s important to remember that vaginal dryness is very common. Lubricants should help make sex less painful.
For more information, visit the recommended links below.
Many different lubricants can help with vaginal dryness, which you can buy from your local chemist. This might seem a bit embarrassing, but it’s important to remember that vaginal dryness is very common, and lubricants should help make sex less painful.
For more information, visit the recommended links at the bottom of this article.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about your individual care. The information reflects NHS and NICE guidance at the time of publication.
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