Here’s Why Having Diabetes Can Reduce Your Sex Drive and How to Help
High blood sugar may be the cause of your lack of libido if you haven’t been using your bed much lately. However, one can resume having fulfilling sexual relationships.
People with diabetes can experience low libido or reduced sexual desire, especially when blood sugars have been elevated for a long time. Diabetes can also make sexual arousal more difficult. All of this can affect your pleasure between the sheets.
Although it is understandable that sexual health is private, talking to your doctor about any issues you may have is the first and most crucial step. Problems with sexual health may occasionally be a sign of another medical condition. Additionally, controlling your blood sugar can help diabetics lead healthy sexual lives. Continue reading to find out more about the relationship between diabetes and erectile dysfunction as well as possible treatments.
The Connection Between Diabetes and Sexual Dysfunction
According to the American Diabetes Association, persistently high blood sugar can harm the body’s blood vessels and nerves, which can alter blood flow to the penis and vagina. This may affect orgasm, vaginal lubrication, erections, and other things. It is well known that diabetes affects both your large and tiny blood vessels. Long-term high blood sugar levels can affect your libido, mood, sleep quality, and energy level in addition to causing neuropathy (nerve problems), according to Maria Fraga, RD, CDCES, director of the diabetic alliance program at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. Inequalities in hormones, like low testosterone, which is more prevalent among diabetics, can also affect arousal and sexual desire.
Sexual dysfunction in people with diabetes can also be caused by other causes, such as age, other
8 Steps to Boost Your Sexual Health
1. Maintain Control Over Your Numbers
Daily observation is necessary for the management of diabetes. As it might be taxing and tedious, it’s critical to streamline your routine as much as possible. For instance, you can discuss ways to get over obstacles with your medical team if your blood sugar is elevated as a result of not being able to stick to your food plan, take your medication, or test your blood sugar. For instance, they might modify your prescription to better fit your lifestyle, offer meal prep advice, or have a conversation with you regarding the use of a continuous glucose monitor for easier blood sugar monitoring.
2. Examine Your Drug Schedule
According to the American Diabetes Association, drugs used to treat diabetes-related disorders including hypertension (high blood pressure) or hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) may have an impact on libido. For example, erectile dysfunction may be impacted by some blood pressure drugs. Ask your pharmacist or medical team whether any of the medications you take may be causing these negative effects if you’re having trouble with your ability to conceive.
3. Eat Foods High in Fibre
The indigestible portion of carbohydrates called fiber is essential for intestinal health, blood sugar regulation, weight loss, and maintenance. Age and gender-specific guidelines differ in detail, but in general, 28 to 34 grams of fiber should be consumed daily. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes are good sources of fiber. A study published in Foods in 2022 found that eating foods high in fiber can lower blood sugar levels after meals. To lower your chance of experiencing gas, bloating, and constipation while introducing fibrous foods to your diet for the first time, do it gradually and with enough water.
4. Get Enough Rest
You might find yourself needing to use the restroom in the middle of the night when your blood sugar is high. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, getting too little sleep can worsen insulin resistance and increase your appetite for foods that are higher in carbohydrates and sugar, which increases the likelihood of blood sugar spikes. The CDC recommends getting at least seven hours of sleep every night.
5. Get Your Body Moving Every Day
Engaging in physical activity not only improves cardiovascular health but also helps to increase insulin sensitivity. Cells that are more insulin-sensitive will take up blood sugar more quickly in order to use it as fuel. 150 minutes a week is the goal, advises the CDC. Shoveling and mowing your lawn, dancing, pickleball, and short walks around the neighborhood all contribute to that end result.
6. Look for Mental Assistance
Seek counseling if your lack of sex drive has caused stress in your relationship or depressed you. Therapy can be approached in a multitude of ways, ranging from sex therapy to individual or couple’s counseling. Your sexual function can be impacted by mood disorders like depression as well as relationship troubles, which can exacerbate the physical effects of diabetes.
7. Consult with the Right Experts
A group of experts might be necessary to handle the several symptoms that could be causing your sexual dysfunction. To learn how to manage your diabetes as effectively as possible, Fraga advises working with your cardiologist, endocrinologist, and trained diabetes care and education professionals. This team can help you treat sexual problems like erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness while also helping you maintain appropriate blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, and cholesterol levels.
8. Give Up Smoking
According to the CDC, smoking exacerbates diabetes and is associated with poor glycemic control, neuropathy, retinopathy, heart disease, reduced blood flow, and erectile dysfunction. Additionally, smoking destroys blood vessels, which raises the possibility of ED. This might exacerbate arousal issues if you already struggle with desire. It can be difficult to stop smoking, so discuss your wish to stop with your medical team and get started right away.
The Final Word
Diabetes patients’ sexual drive may be impacted by a number of variables. In order to increase your libido, you need first let your medical team know. Next, develop a treatment plan that targets your energy, blood sugar, circulation, and mental well-being. Suffering in quiet makes no sense. The good news is that diabetes can be managed and a fulfilling sexual life can still be had with certain lifestyle modifications.
