Is Diabetes ruining your sex life?

Is diabetes playing a spoilsport on your sex life? It is all right to feel threatened when normal pleasures are ebbing out from your life. But take heart from the fact that you are not alone. There are approximately 346 million people like you worldwide who are affected with diabetes. And you will be relieved to know that most of them are leading a normal life. So how all these people are managing?

The best way to tackle diabetes is to understand it and with the help of recommended treatment (s) and lifestyle changes, you can find a way to work around it. The rest comes automatically – you leading a healthy and a happy life.

How diabetes affects sex life?
Diabetes affects men and women in different ways.

Diabetes and men sexual health
If left untreated over a period of time, elevated blood glucose level or diabetes may have adverse effect on men sexual health. It can cause severe nerve damage leading to a condition called diabetic neuropathy. This is the common cause of erectile dysfunction (or impotence) in men. In this condition, men fail to maintain erection during intercourse, leading to limited or no sexual pleasure.
Diabetes and female sexual health
Diabetes neuropathy is the main reason most women fail to enjoy sex or experience uncomfortable sex. Women with diabetes most often complain of insufficient vaginal lubrication, also called vaginal dryness. Another leading condition that women with diabetes often suffer is vaginitis (vaginal inflammation). This coupled with vaginal dryness leads to irritated and swollen vagina, making sexual intercourse painful or difficult. Cystitis is another common problem that can arise in women with diabetes. In this condition, much like erectile dysfunction in men, clitoris could fail to respond to sexual stimulation leading to frustration in sexual life.

How to manage diabetes?
The most important thing is to remember that you can manage diabetes and take control of your life. Below are some of the simple steps to help you achieve it:

• Overcome your shyness to manage diabetes: If left untreated, diabetes can give rise to serious complications. Be frank with your doctor about your physical conditions as well as about sexual complications arising out of diabetes. These can help you receive the best possible treatment in the quickest possible time.
• Keep your partner abreast about your medical conditions: Your partner deserves to know what’s happening in your life. Make sure that your partner knows about your physical and emotional conditions, the treatments you are taking to help fight diabetes, etc. This would ensure full support from your partner and lead to quicker remedy.
• Follow a healthy diet plan for diabetes: Take help of your dietitian to prepare a diabetic diet plan so that you can monitor your daily food intake. Ensure moderate amount of calories, high level of nutrients and low fat in your diet. You may want to stay away from alcohol as it may worsen your high pressure. To keep your blood glucose level under control, fiber-rich foods such as whole grain breads, cereals and fruits are highly recommended. Make sure that you are having meals at regular intervals.
• Regularly check up your blood sugar: Keep a tab on your blood glucose level regularly. This would ensure that you receive timely medical help if there is a sudden spike in the pressure and minimize sexual problems.
• Follow a regular exercise routine to keep diabetes under control: Walking is one of the most recommended exercises for diabetics. Besides keeping your diabetes under control, regular and brisk walking helps to stay in shape and in good health. Make sure that you do not overdo it. To develop it into a habit, slowly keep increasing your walking time as you go forward.