Diabetes and Sexual Problems

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Diabetes and Sexual Problems
December 2, 2008
by Jenny Richer
Disabled World

As if people with diabetes do not have sufficient to worry about, they also have to contend with sexual problems.

Diabetes and sexual problems affect both men and women but in different ways. Because your body responds to sexual stimuli through your nerves and high blood glucose levels have an effect on your nervous system, it is reasonable that your sexuality is affected by this potentially life intimidating situation.

In men, diabetes and sexual problems frequently focus on erectile dysfunction. It is predicted by the American Diabetes Institute that as many as 85% of men with diabetes experience erectile dysfunction. This can cause troubles in marriage but, more significantly, can cause severe depression in those who are contending not only with the disease of diabetes, but also what they deem the loss of their personality.

Erectile dysfunction can also be an indication of diabetes. If a man experiences this malady, he should talk about this problem with his medical doctor to make certain that he is not suffering from undiagnosed diabetes. Luckily, there are medications and other treatments obtainable to men who experience this ordinary side effect to diabetes. The key to eliminating the problem is for the patient to talk about this with his medical doctor.

Diabetes and sexual problems does not discontinue at erectile dysfunction, however. Retrograde ejaculation is a more potentially risky situation that can take place in men with diabetes. In this situation, the semen can go into the bladder instead of being dispelled out of the penis during ejaculation. A man who is experiencing this side effect of diabetes should discuss this with an urologist who can help with medication or surgery to correct the problem.

Men are not the only ones with sexual problems as a side effect to diabetes.

Diabetes and sexual problems also have an effect on women. Because of damage to the nerve cells within the vagina by high levels of blood glucose, vaginal dryness can take place that can make intercourse extremely painful. A lot of women also report that the nerve damage caused by hyperglycemia also causes them to lose interest in sex and to have no feelings in their genital region. Unnecessary to say, the lack of sexual desire can cause psychological troubles for both men and women and may show the way to marital difficulties as well.

A lot of people are self-conscious about speaking to their medical doctor when it comes to problems connected to sexual relations. People with diabetes should be conscious that their situation makes them prone to these side effects and should talk about them with their medical doctor so they can get cured. There is a variety of cures for those experiencing diabetes and sexual problems.

One way to stop such problems from taking place is to uphold your blood glucose levels by eating a healthy diet, exercising and taking your prescribed medication or insulin.

Keep an eye on your blood sugars as instructed by your physician. If you experience any side effects connected to your situation, talk about them with your medical doctor. By keeping conversant of the disease and the side effects as well as problems, you can lead a happier, as well as longer, life.