Does diabetes cause sexual problems?
Twenty-five per cent of all women with diabetes and about 50 per cent of male diabetics will experience some kind of sexual problems or loss of sexual desire as a result of their condition.

Male diabetics may suffer from impotence and be unable to get or maintain an erection.

Some men only discover that they are diabetic when they seek treatment for their impotence. Once their diabetes has been regulated through diet, pills or insulin injections, their sexual problems usually disappear and the ability to have an erection is restored.

A number of female diabetics may suffer from recurring vaginitis, which will make intercourse painful. They may suffer itching or burning sensations.

Female diabetics may also get recurring cystitis. There is also some suggestion that women with diabetes have problems with arousal; and just as the penis fails to become erect in the man, the clitoris in a woman may not respond to stimulation in the normal way.

Can you make your sex life work when you are diabetic?
Anyone who is diabetic and feels that this has caused problems with their sex life should discuss it with their doctor.

It is important to clarify whether any sexual problems are caused by defects in the nervous or circulatory system as a direct result of the diabetes or whether they are of a more psychosomatic nature.

An increasing number of diabetic men are taking Viagra to restore their potency and there may come a time when diabetic women will benefit from taking the drug too.

Other drugs that can help include the Caverject and Viridal Duo injections.

If it has been confirmed that the patient's nervous system has not been damaged by their diabetes and that there are no associated circulatory disturbances, then there is no reason why their sex life should not recommence with a little help and support from their partner and doctor.

What can be done about sexual problems that are not caused by the diabetes itself?
Patients should discuss this matter with their doctor, and ask to be referred to a psychosexual therapist or marriage guidance counsellor.

Diabetics should try not to let themselves dwell on the fact that their illness can cause sexual problems, but if they do experience difficulties, they should be reassured that nowadays there is quite a lot of help available to them.

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