Many residents of Anguilla are diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, and even more are walking around with this condition and do not know it. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to complications if not managed properly. In some cases, sexual performance can be affected by diabetes.
What is diabetes mellitus?
Diabetes means your blood glucose (often called blood sugar) is too high. Most experts describe diabetes mellitus as a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. The chronic hyperglycemia of diabetes is associated with long-term damage, dysfunction, and failure of various organs, especially the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels.
Diabetes and sex
Up to 50% of men and 25% of women may experience some kind of sexual problems or a loss of sexual desire as a result of diabetes.
For men, diabetes can cause damage to the nervous system over a sustained period of time, also known as diabetic neuropathy. One aspect of this is the potential for diabetes to damage the erectile tissue leaving it impossible for a man to achieve or maintain an erection.
Almost 1 in 3 men with diabetes suffer from erectile dysfunction. Many men discover that they have diabetes when they see a doctor for erectile problems.
Through strict management of the disease through diet, exercise, medications and insulin injections, minor sexual problems usually recede and it is possible for the man to achieve an erection.
Men with poorly controlled diabetes are more likely to have sexual issues than those in good control.
For some women with diabetes, vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina) can be recurrent.
Vaginitis can be brought on by a number of different ways including bacterial imbalance of the vagina (bacterial vaginitis), yeast infections or from chemical irritation such as from soaps or fabric conditioners.
This can make sex painful, and is heralded by itching or burning sensations.
Cystitis can also be a recurrent problem for women with diabetes.
Furthermore, some evidence indicates that, in a similar way to men being unable to maintain an erection, the woman’s clitoris may fail to respond to stimulation.
Having concerns about diabetes and sex
If you are a diabetic and have concerns about sexual problems, you should first contact your doctor and discuss it with him or her. Often, these issues can only be addressed by seeking professional help.
Most doctors are accustomed to discussing these types of issues, and will aim to assess whether your problems are physical or psychological in nature.
Many cases can be helped through psychological methods.
Many men are choosing to use drugs to help their arousal, and some successful cases have been reported of diabetes erectile dysfunction being aided by one or more treatment options.
How do you know if you have diabetes?
Many residents of Anguilla do not know that they have diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes often have no symptoms. When they do appear, one of the first may be being thirsty a lot. Others include dry mouth, bigger appetite, peeing a lot — sometimes as often as every hour — and unusual weight loss or gain.
As your blood sugar levels get higher, you may have other problems like headaches, blurred vision and fatigue.
In many cases, type 2 diabetes is not discovered until it takes a serious toll on your health. Some red flags include:
• Cuts or sores that are slow to heal
• Frequent yeast infections or urinary tract infections
• Itchy skin, especially in the groin area
If you have any of these symptoms you should see your doctor. The diagnosis can be easily made with a blood test.
Management of diabetes
Once a diagnosis is confirmed you and your doctor would agree on a management plan. This often involves other professionals who then work as a team so that your diabetes can be controlled and complications prevented.
Diabetes and your diet
You can control blood sugar levels by changing your diet and losing extra weight. That will also cut your risk of complications. Carefully track the carbohydrates in your diet. Keep amounts the same at every meal, watch how much fat and protein you eat, and cut calories. Ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian to help you make healthy choices and an eating plan.
Exercise is Important
Regular exercise, like strength training or walking, improves your body’s use of insulin and can lower blood sugar levels. Being active also helps get rid of body fat, lower blood pressure, and protect you from heart disease. Try to get 20 to 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week.
Relaxation
Stress can boost your blood pressure and blood sugar. Some people do not do anything for it. Others turn to food to cope with it. Instead, practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or visualization. Talking to a friend, family member, counselor or a religious leader could help. If you can find no one else, reach out to your doctor.
Oral medications
If diet and exercise cannot get your blood sugar under control, your doctor may add medication. There are many types of diabetes pills available. They are often combined.
Insulin
Your doctor may prescribe insulin early in your treatment and combine it with pills. It can also help people with type 2 diabetes who develop “beta-cell failure.” This means the cells in your pancreas no longer make insulin when blood sugar is high. If this happens, insulin will become part of your daily routine.
Can you prevent diabetes?
In some individuals type 2 diabetes can be prevented. To lower your risk, follow these guidelines:
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Exercise for 20-30 minutes, 5 days a week.
• Stay at a healthy weight.
• Talk to your doctor about being tested for prediabetes.
People with prediabetes can avoid getting diabetes with lifestyle changes and medication.
Conclusion
Diabetes is a leading cause of sexual health issues in many individuals. Good control of your diabetes can help prevent many complications associated with diabetes – including those related to sex. If you are having any symptoms related to complications of diabetes, including those related to sex, seek treatment early. Do not wait until they become severe – early problems are much easier to treat and are more successfully treated. Diabetes can affect sexual function and, as uncomfortable as it may sound, you may need to discuss this with your doctor. If you have concerns see your doctor today.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty two years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 4975828).
