Is Diabetes Wrecking Your Intimate Moments?

By Julia Hanf in Diabetes on February 6th, 2008

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by Julia Hanf

A disease which hinders the balance between the glucose you consume and its utilization as energy by your body, diabetes is characterized by dangerously high levels of glucose in your bloodstream. This soaring level of blood sugar brings about a host of complications which range from diseases which target your heart and kidneys to even nerve damage, which may mar your physical wellbeing for life. Apart from these often discussed and meticulously examined conditions, there is also another relatively subdued aspect of diabetes, namely sexual dysfunction, which is often, relegated a secondary status, simply because the victim isn’t very comfortable about discussing this matter with his physician. And so, even though his condition may be made a lot less severe with just a simple consultation, the diabetic continues to suffer in silence, sometimes even worsening the disorder by keeping mum about it.

Sexual dysfunction is one of the few disorders which are rampant amongst both male and female diabetics. The primary reason for these disorders is the nerve damage diabetes brings about because of the abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood, which is further impaired by the poor blood circulation most victims of diabetes suffer from. As a result, the victim’s response to sexual stimuli is hampered due to the poor transfer of neural signals from the brain to the various parts of the body, while the impaired flow of blood to the genitals decreases the sensation in this part of the body, thereby reducing the individual’s sexual desire and response.

Men are most commonly plagued by erectile dysfunction, which is the term used to describe the condition in which the victim is unable to attain or hold an erection which is firm enough to allow sexual intercourse. This disorder affects almost 85% of all diabetic men across the world, and is further complicated by the unforeseen side-effects of certain forms of diabetes medication, or external factors like smoking, uninhibited consumption of alcohol and even kidney disorders. Treatment of this disorder is with the use of oral medication, vacuum pumps and even surgical remedies depending on how severe the condition is.

Diabetic men are also known to suffer from what is known as retrograde ejaculation, which is when their semen goes into the bladder instead of to the penis at the time of ejaculation. This semen then mixes with the urine and is excreted from the body, bringing about fertility problems over time. If you find that your urine appears cloudy and only a little semen is discharged when you ejaculate, you may want to test a urine sample for retrograde ejaculation. This condition is treated with medication which improves the muscle tone of the bladder neck.

Women who suffer from diabetes are also subject to a gamut of sexual problems which arise from the damage to the nerve cells which line the vagina. The most common hindrance is vaginal dryness, which causes discomfiture during intercourse, inhibiting sexual desire over time. Diabetes medication may further reduce sexual responses in women, affecting their ability to become or stay aroused and reach orgasms.

The first step towards recovery is to talk things out with your physician, so that he can scrutinize your medical history and even conduct physical examinations to pinpoint the exact cause of this malady. Your doctor may also recommend certain vaginal lubricant creams to reduce the pain caused by vaginal dryness, or ask you to practice Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles, which hold urine in your bladder.

Gender differences notwithstanding, the primary cause for sexual dysfunction in diabetics can be pinpointed to the after-effects of a mismanaged condition. This may be in the form of nerve damage, or reduced circulation, both of which are effects of exceedingly high blood glucose, which is yet another hallmark of poorly controlled diabetes. If your diabetes has already affected your sexual health, the healthiest route to take is to support your treatment with a planned and effective diabetes management program. Prevention is much easier and a lot less damaging than waiting to implement cures at the most crucial stages. Take control of your diabetes today and safeguard your health from such contingencies through the long course of a healthy way of life!

About the Author:

Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.