Diabetes is a common lifestyle disorder that not only hampers your normal life but also affects the normal functioning of all your organs.
And so, those with type 2 diabetes usually experience a lower sex drive with almost no libido. However, according to experts, healthy sexuality and sexual expression are at the top of the list when it comes to maintaining quality of life.
It is therefore important to recognize and address sexuality issues that affect people with diabetes.
Why do diabetics have a low libido?
A common sexual health issue seen in people with type 2 diabetes is a major decrease in libido, or lower or loss of sex drive. This can be very frustrating for those who had thriving libido and satisfying sex life before a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
A few causes of a low libido associated with type 2 diabetes include:
- Side effects of medications for high blood pressure or depression
- Lack of energy
- Depression
- Hormonal changes
- Stress and anxiety
Ways diabetes takes a toll on sexual health
According to experts, diabetes-related neurovascular and hormonal changes can result in the following:
Erectile dysfunction
In men, diabetic neuropathy – a type of nerve damage can cause sexual issues. According to doctors, numbness, pain, or lack of feeling can also occur in the genitals, leading to erectile dysfunction. Neuropathy also inhibits orgasm or makes it difficult to feel sexual stimulation. These side effects makes sex painful or unenjoyable.
According to studies, about half of men with diabetes will experience ED at some point. 2
Retrogade ejaculation
This is another sexual health issue that men experience as a complication of type 2 diabetes. It occurs when semen is ejaculated into the bladder instead of out of the penis.
Experts say it is caused by your internal sphincter muscles – responsible for opening and closing passages in the body to stop working properly. Abnormally high levels of glucose result in nerve damage to the sphincter muscles, causing retrograde ejaculation.
In women, the most common sexual health issues because of type 2 diabetes include vaginal dryness, which is a result of hormonal changes or reduced blood flow to the genitals.
Diabetic women have increased rates of vaginal infections and inflammation as well, which make sex extremely painful and uncomfortable.
Ways to overcome diabetes-related sexual dysfunction
A few ways to get over diabetes-related sexual dysfunction in men and women include:
- Regular exercise and workouts
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Abstinence from alcohol and smoking
- Managing your coffee intake
- Sound sleep
- Eating fruits and vegetables that have low glycemic index
- Engaging in stress-relieving activities like listening to music
- Controlling blood sugar levels
Safe sex practices you should follow
Whether you have diabetes or not, the best ways to practice safe sex – which makes the experience enjoyable and devoid of injuries, sexually transmitted diseases or infections, include:
- Use of protection, including condoms
- Getting Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine shot
- Maintaining personal hygiene
- Regular health checkups and visits to gynecologist
