Diabetes affects female sexuality

IT IS fairly well known that diabetes and complications can affect sexuality in men, but it is also true for women. According to the World Health Organization 2017 country profile, 11.9% of the island’s population has diabetes. Of this percentage, the majority of the affected persons are women. Many women are starting to bring questions about sexual function and diabetes to their doctors as they seek to find solutions to these problems.

Here are some problems that might be found in a woman with diabetes:

1. Nerve damage.

2. Less blood flow to the genital and vaginal areas.

3. Hormonal changes.

4. Side effects of medications.

5. Alcohol abuse.

6. Smoking.

7. Psychological issues like anxiety, depression, stress.

8. Infections.

9. Conditions related to pregnancy or menopause.

10. Other diseases.

See your doctor at the first sign of one of these infections.

To diagnose these sexual issues, consult with your physician for an examination and testing. Here are some questions your physician will ask you about:

1. Your health history.

2. How often the problems happen and the details of them.

3. Possible infections.

4. Other diseases.

5. Whether or not you drink alcohol or smoke, and how often.

6. What type of medications you are taking.

7. Being pregnant or if you have reached menopause.

8. Whether or not you are depressed or have had any life changes.

To treat the effects of diabetes on sexuality, prescription or overthe-counter vaginal lubricants may be useful for women experiencing vaginal dryness. Techniques to treat decreased sexual response include changes in position and stimulation during sexual relations. Psychological counselling may also be helpful. Kegel exercises that help strengthen the pelvic muscles may improve sexual response.

Diabetes affects fertility in women if not controlled. Poor blood sugar control is related to higher miscarriage rates during the first three months of pregnancy. Also, some women with type 2 diabetes may be overweight and/or have polycystic ovary syndrome, which may make getting pregnant harder.

Sources: https://www.who.int/diabetes/countr y-profiles/jam_en.pdf https://www.idf.org/ournetwork/regions-members/northamerica-and-caribb... https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/ articles/7826-diabetes-and-female-...