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Introduction
The impact of diabetes on sexual health and enjoyment is not well researched. This is particularly the case for women's sexual health. Common sexual difficulties encountered by women, both those with diabetes and those who do not have diabetes are:
- poor vaginal lubrication,
- a decrease in sexual desire,
- pain during sex, and
- trouble having an orgasm.
The sexual problems encountered by pre-menopausal women who have Type I diabetes are similar to the problems non-diabetic women have. In addition, they may have decreased vaginal lubrication and more frequent yeast infections, especially if their diabetes is not well controlled.
Women with Type II diabetes are more likely to have difficulties than their non-diabetic sisters. These difficulties result from diabetes induced damage to small blood vessels and nerves. Ongoing strict control of blood glucose levels may help prevent these and other problems in later life.
What to do:
First, recognize the problem and decide to deal with it. Ignoring sexual difficulties will not make them go away.
See your doctor. Describe the problem clearly in plain language. Some doctors may not want to discuss these issues for fear that their legitimate questions may be seen as a sexual advance, or may just be uncomfortable talking about sex.. If you feel you cannot discuss your problem with your primary care physician, ask for a referral to another doctor, perhaps a specialist. You may also get help from a public health nurse, a diabetes educator or a mental health counsellor. They may help you overcome shyness in discussing private matters and help you put your concerns into words.
There are several different physical reasons for sexual difficulties
- lost interest in sex,
- vaginal dryness or tightness during sex,
- pain or discomfort during or after sex,
- if you have frequent yeast or urinary tract infections and/or
- if you have trouble having an orgasm.
If your blood glucose levels are up and down, you will not feel well. This will affect your interest in sex. 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.
Poor vaginal lubrication can cause vaginal irritation and pain during sex. This may be caused by low hormone levels. Estrogen therapy can help improve vaginal lubrication, and are available in pills, cream or patch. There may be serious side effects of estrogen therapy, however. Do not diagnose the problem yourself or use over-the-counter drugs that contain
estrogen. Your doctor should treat this problem. If you have been through menopause and have risk factors that prevent the use of estrogen, you may find a simple vaginal lubricant may help.
Pain during sex may be lessened by relaxing the vaginal muscles. Kegel exercises you may have learned in pre-natal classes or an aerobics class can help. Practice by stopping the flow of urine when you urinate. Relax the muscles slowly, Feel the difference. Practice, practice practice. Practice before and during sex.
Pain during sex may be lessened by using different positions- kneeling, sitting, on your side. There are numerous books on the subject, some available at your public library and bookstore.
The complications resulting from diabetes can cause sexual difficulties. High blood glucose levels may cause nerve damage which may result in loss of sensation and poor bladder control. If the blood vessels and nerves in the genital area have been damaged, there may be a loss of sensation. Find the areas where feeling is the most sensitive and gently massage there. A vibrator may be useful. While nerve damage may affect clitoral nerves, the good news is that diabetes rarely damages the nerves that control orgasm. Some women with diabetes have poor bladder control. If this is a problem, empty your bladder before and after sex. This may also prevent infections.
Vaginal infections. While most of us have small amounts of yeast and bacteria in our bodies all thime, sometimes when conditions are right for their growth, they multiply quickly, causing infections such as vaginitis. These yeasts and bacteria love sweet, warm, moist places. If your blood glucose levels are high you will probably have more yeast infections, even before menopause. After menopause, without estrogen to nourish and support your vaginal lining, yeast and bacteria have an even easier time.
How to prevent vaginitis:
- Good blood glucose control.
- Bathe often to keep fecal bacteria from getting into the vagina.
- Consider HRT- estrogen.
- Some doctors believe that eating a cup of low-fat yogurt a day may also help. Look for yogurt that has "active cultures." These kinds of bacteria help battle yeast and prevent vaginitis. These are also available in pill form in the refrigerated section of many health food stores. Check the expiry dates before you buy.
Women with end-stage kidney disease may also have some trouble with sexual desire. If you have limited mobility or have lost a limb due to diabetes, talking to a physical therapist about ways to be comfortable during sex can help.
Some medications affect sexual desire. Others have side effects which may cause problems. If you suspect this is the case, talk about your medications and their effects with your prescribing physician. Your pharmacist may be another source of information on the side effects of certain medications. Do not self-prescribe or stop taking any medications without discussing it with your doctor.
Different psychological reasons for sexual difficulties.
Sexuality is complex. While many of the factors affecting sexual pleasure are physical, sex also has a psychological dimension. For many people sexual problems are a combination of the physical and the mental and emotional parts of life.
Your doctor may ask you about:
- Not being able to talk about sexual concerns with your partner.
- Worries about being unattractive or poor self-esteem
- Conflicts with your partner over money, children, work, or other life stresses.
- A history of sexual abuse.
- Depression.
If a psychological issue is at the root of your sexual problem, your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional trained in this area. This might be a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed social worker. If your sexual problem seems to stem from a physical cause, your doctor may suggest that you see a gynecologist.
Baby Watch
If you take diabetes pills, you may need to switch to insulin to protect the baby. You may be referred to a special diabetes and pregnancy team. You will help keep yourself and your baby healthy and safe if you keep your blood glucose (sugar) in your target range before you get pregnant and until the baby arrives. That will lower your chances of having a premature baby or a baby that's larger than normal. You'll also lower the risk of having a baby with birth defects by keeping your blood glucose close to normal in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Today, more women with diabetes are able to have healthy babies. With planning and hard work, you can too.
Birth Control
If you don't want to get pregnant, you'll need to use some kind of birth control. Even if you don't have regular periods, you can still get pregnant. Most birth control methods are safe for women with diabetes. Talk with your health care team about your options.
Menopause & Diabetes
There are many good books on menopause. This page will deal specifically with menopause as experienced by women with diabetes. During menopause your estrogen and progesterone hormone levels drop to zero. These hormones reduce the effect of insulin and prompt your liver to make glucose. When your body stops producing these horones, the effect of insulin is more pronounced. You may find your blood glucose levels drop more rapidly after you inject. Your blood glucose levels may be lower than those you are accustomed to having. This can cause serious problems. If you are going through menopause you may need to test your blood glucose levels more frequently, and may experience more lows.
If you are insulin-dependent, menopause may affect your insulin requirements. As your body produces less estrogen and progesterone, you may need lower dosages of insulin. After menopause is finished (it may take up to ten years!), you may need about 20 % less insulin. If you take pills for your diabetes these dosages may also reduce. However, as we age, we tend to gain weight and become less active, which raises insulin requirements. Try to keep active and eat less to take advantage of the lowered insulin requirements menopause brings.
Hormone Replacement Therapy & Diabetes
Many women are prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Women with diabetes are often put on this treatment.
Heart attack and stroke:
If you have diabetes, you have an increased risk for heart attack and stroke. After menopause, the risk increases again. After menopause, a woman without diabetes has the same heart attack and stroke risks as a man. Because you have diabetes, your risk of heart attack and stroke after menopause jumps to twice that for a man without diabetes.
After menopause, your lack of estrogen causes your total cholesterol level to go up and causes your HDL (or "good") cholesterol to drop. If you have poorly controlled blood sugar levels, chances are you have high blood fat levels. Menopause will make this worse, but HRT can help. So can keeping your blood glucose and cholesterol levels under control with diet and exercise.
Osteoporosis:
After menopause your bones start to lose some of their mineral content. With advancing years, this can lead to osteoporosis, a crippling condition in which bones are very brittle and break easily. HRT slows bone loss. So does eating calcium-rich foods and getting weight-bearing exercise, such as walking. For those who have osteoporosis, several drugs are available in addition to HRT. See your doctor.
If you are at increased risk or have had breast or endometrial cancer, blood clotting problems, severe eye disease, uterine fibroid, breast fibrocystic disease or kidney disease, you should not receive HRT. If you have a family history of breast cancer you should avoid HRT.
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Author Info...
Annabel Cruz is a researcher that studies Natural healing by combining both Western and Eastern ways and believes in educating people to improve lifestyles. Feel free to use this article on your website or ezine as long as the following information about author/website is included.
http://www.bestpuerariamirifica.com
By: Annabel Cruz
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