Diabetes and Sex Issues

Diabetes can lead to difficulty with sexual performance or enjoyment for men and women. Most often, these problems are caused by blood-vessel or nerve damage. But diabetes and sexual complications don't have to mean the end of your sex life. Many issues can be addressed by your healthcare team—if you talk to them.

Issues Affecting Men

Diabetes can cause nerve and artery damage, disrupting the blood flow needed for an erection.¹ Men who have diabetes are three times more likely to experience this issue, known as erectile dysfunction or impotence, compared to other men.² If you experience erectile dysfunction, it's nothing to be ashamed of.

Increased Risk of Sexual Dysfunction
There are a few factors that may increase your possibility of experiencing impotence:^1,2

poorly controlled blood sugar
high cholesterol
high blood pressure
smoking
drinking too much alcohol

In addition, some medications—such as blood pressure drugs, antidepressants and stomach ulcer medications—may have side effects that contribute to sexual dysfunction. And stress can make matters worse, too.¹ Talk to your doctor about anything in your life that could add to these problems.

Prevention and Treatment
Several types of treatment are available for sexual dysfunction. The type of treatment will depend on your specific situation.

Oral medications may help stimulate and maintain erections.
Injection drugs can be delivered directly into the penis.
Suppositories can be inserted painlessly into the opening at the end of the penis.
Vacuum devices can draw blood into the penis and create an erection.²

If you notice any erectile dysfunction, talk with your doctor right away. There's nothing to be embarrassed about, and you don't have to accept impotence just because you have diabetes.

Issues Affecting Women

Sexual dysfunction doesn't only affect men. It can affect women, too. If you have any of the following symptoms, there's a chance you're suffering from some form of diabetes-related sexual dysfunction. Talk to your doctor about treatments right away.

High blood sugar, nerve damage, depression and yeast infections are all relatively common in women with diabetes and can contribute to sexual problems, such as:^1,3

lack of interest in sex
vaginal dryness
discomfort during intercourse
more difficulty reaching orgasm

Prevention and Treatment
Start by talking with your doctor, who can help you determine the best course of action. A simple solution may work, such as using a lubricant during sex.³

If you're having problems in your sex life, don't let embarrassment keep you from getting help. Your doctor deals with this sort of issue regularly, so don't hesitate to talk about it. It's worth it.

¹ Joslin Diabetes Center. "Sexual Dysfunction—Causes and Symptoms." Available at: http://www.joslin.org/managing_your_diabetes_604.asp. Accessed March 28, 2008.
² MayoClinic.com. "Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes: Take Control Today." Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/erectile-dysfunction/DA00045. Accessed March 28, 2008.
³ American Diabetes Association. "A Guide for Women with Diabetes." Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/uedocuments/Channel15-Women.pdf. Accessed April 11, 2008.

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Last modified: October 08, 2008