Women's sexual healthAlmost one quarter of all women with diabetes will experience a sexual side effect at some point in her life. This does not mean that all diabetics can’t have a great sex life: on the contrary, with a little forethought (and foreplay?) sex can be great and safe for people with diabetes.
Most women with diabetes will have already noticed that their blood sugar changes before and after her period. The menstrual cycle affects the blood glucose cycle, and as such, has to be monitored more closely during and around your period.
Sex has two main components: a physical component and a mental or emotional component. As diabetes can have both physical and emotional effects, take both elements into consideration when you are trying to improve your sex life.
Building a strong relationship between both partners is key to having a good emotional attitude for sex. Some women with diabetes want to be independent with their treatment: this is good. However, it is also important to keep your partner informed and to education your partner on diabetes so that s/he will feel included in your life. On the other hand, some women feel stifled by partners who are constantly telling them what they can and cannot do because of their diabetes. You can also address this with your partner. Finding a nice balance between independence and reliance will help give you the basis for sex that you need.
One of the possibly physical side effects of diabetes is neuropathy. This means that the nerves leading to the vagina might become damaged. This can lead to vaginal dryness, which makes intercourse less pleasurable and sometimes even painful. Luckily, vaginal dryness can be easily treated with a lubricant available from any drug store. Use a special lubricant for sex because trying to lubricate with other things, such as Vaseline or water can cause small tears or damage to the vagina (which could, in turn, lead to infection).
Poor vaginal lubrication can also be treated with hormone therapy. If your vaginal dryness is caused by low hormone levels, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about taking a hormone supplement (sometimes these are oral or topical). Although it used to be thought that women with diabetes couldn’t use hormones, now it has been found that hormones do not affect blood sugar, and that you can find a hormone dosage that will fit into your diabetes management routine.
Women with diabetes, especially after menopause, can be at a higher risk for yeast infections, which can make sex less desirable. To prevent yeast infections, regulate your blood sugar. Wash yourself regularly (but don’t douche). You can also consider hormone replacement therapy.
If you find that your sex life is adversely affected because you no longer desire sex, consider talking to your partner, or talking to a professional. The anxiety or depression that sometimes affects people with diabetes can be challenging to overcome, especially in bed.
Some doctors advise their patients to check their blood pressure before and after sex. This can help women tell if they are having an orgasm or if they have low blood sugar. Orgasms and low blood sugar can have similar symptoms, and some women have trouble establishing the source of their heart palpitations and sweating. Keep some lifesavers with your condoms and lubricant, to help you practice safe sex with diabetes.
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