June 14th, 2016
Sexuality is a broad term that includes sexual activity along with all other physical, emotional and biochemical aspects that determines the quality of sex such as desires and thoughts. Sexual dysfunction refers to any imbalance or disparity in the sexual response cycle that interferes with the capacity of an individual to engage in a satisfying sexual encounter.
There are four primary stages of a typical sexual response cycle; these are:
Sexual dysfunction is fairly common in women as suggested by various clinical and research studies. There are four varieties or types of sexual dysfunction; these are:
A number of clinical studies have provided statistical evidence that uncontrolled diabetes can lead to a variety of complications in men and women due to neurovascular damage. Based on latest data, following sexual side effects are usually reported in diabetic women:
Other common sexual complaints in diabetic women include:
Besides neurovascular damage as suggested above, a variety of other factors can also explain sexual dysfunction in diabetic women; these are:
It is imperative to mention that poor glycemic control can also affect your fertility. Study reported in the Journal of Sexual Medicine (3) suggested that diabetic women are more likely to get diagnosed with fertility issues such as miscarriage, polycystic ovarian disease and other related ailments. Study also suggested that the risk of complications is higher in obese females.
It is highly recommended to speak to your therapist if you are experiencing complications of diabetes. Experts believes that optimal glycemic control can delay (or even prevent) some complications of diabetes.
You can also talk to a sex therapist to learn some effective remedies to address sexual dysfunction; for example, use of vaginal lubricants can help in reducing dryness of vagina.
1. Esposito, K., Maiorino, M. I., Bellastella, G., Giugliano, F., Romano, M., & Giugliano, D. (2010). Determinants of female sexual dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. International journal of impotence research, 22(3), 179-184.
2. Enzlin, P., Mathieu, C., Van den Bruel, A., Vanderschueren, D., & Demyttenaere, K. (2003). Prevalence and predictors of sexual dysfunction in patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes care, 26(2), 409-414.
3. Pontiroli, A. E., Cortelazzi, D., & Morabito, A. (2013). Female sexual dysfunction and diabetes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. The journal of sexual medicine, 10(4), 1044-1051.
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