Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRisk FactorsTreatment OptionsTalking With a ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Risk Factors
Treatment Options
Talking With a Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
On top of all the other health concerns related todiabetes, there is also an increased risk of sexual dysfunction in people of any sex or gender living with this all-too-common disease.
Although the cause of sexual dysfunction is not entirely clear, research suggests that it may be due to a combination of factors, includingcomplications of the disease itselfpaired with health or lifestyle factors that contribute to both diabetes and sexual problems likeerectile dysfunctionorloss of libido.
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This article explores the causes and risks of sexual dysfunction in people with diabetes and the treatments that may help improve your sex life. It also offers tips on discussing these concerns with a healthcare provider so that you can take the steps needed to enhance your sexual health.
TerminologyFor this article, “male” refers to people with penises, and “female” refers to people with vaginas, irrespective of whatgender or gendersthey identify with or whether theyidentify with any gender at all.
Terminology
For this article, “male” refers to people with penises, and “female” refers to people with vaginas, irrespective of whatgender or gendersthey identify with or whether theyidentify with any gender at all.
What Type of Diabetes Do You Have?
Diabetes: A Risk Factor for Sexual Dysfunction
The rate of sexual dysfunction in people with diabetes is statistically higher than in the general population. In males, this mainly involveserectile dysfunctionand ejaculation problems, while in females, sexual desire, arousal, and the ability to orgasm are often affected.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED)is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection suitable for sex. Anerectionis a complex function involving emotions, hormones, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels that work together to engorge apeniswith blood to make it stiff enough for sex. A failure in any of these processes can lead to ED.
In males with diabetes, the risk of ED is 3 times greater than in those without it. Moreover, the symptoms tend to be more severe and occur 10 to 15 years earlier than in the general population, no matter if you havetype 1 diabetes(the type you get through genetics early in life) ortype 2 diabetes(the type you mainly get through lifestyle habits later in life).
Risk of Erectile DysfunctionStudies suggest that as many as 3 of every 4 sexually active males with diabetes will experience some degree of erectile dysfunction.
Risk of Erectile Dysfunction
Studies suggest that as many as 3 of every 4 sexually active males with diabetes will experience some degree of erectile dysfunction.
The reasons for this are far from clear. Some studies have shown a relationship between ED and poorblood glucose (sugar)control, while others have not. Those that show a relationship suggest thatuncontrolled diabetesmay damage the nerves and blood vessels needed to achieve an erection.
Other risk factors statistically linked to ED in people with diabetes include:
Other risk factors specificallylinked to type 2 diabetesare also linked to increased risk of ED, including:
Cause and Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction
Ejaculation Dysfunction
Ejaculationis the sudden discharge of semen from the body during an orgasm. In the same way that diabetes can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction, it can also increase the risk of male ejaculation problems, such as:
As with ED, the cause of ejaculation problems in people with diabetes is poorly understood.
Risk of Ejaculation DysfunctionStudies suggest that up to 40% of males with diabetes experience some form of ejaculation dysfunction. Even so, study results remain conflicting and more research is needed.
Risk of Ejaculation Dysfunction
Studies suggest that up to 40% of males with diabetes experience some form of ejaculation dysfunction. Even so, study results remain conflicting and more research is needed.
11 Penis Disorders You May Not Know
Female Sexual Dysfunction
The causes of sexual dysfunction in females with diabetes are even less understood than in males. The problems can affect females of any age but are most common aftermenopause.
Risk of Female Sexual DysfunctionStudies suggest that females with type 1 diabetes are more than twice as likely to experience sexual dysfunction than those without it. Females with type 2 diabetes are almost 2.5 times more likely to be affected than those without.
Risk of Female Sexual Dysfunction
Studies suggest that females with type 1 diabetes are more than twice as likely to experience sexual dysfunction than those without it. Females with type 2 diabetes are almost 2.5 times more likely to be affected than those without.
Unlike males with diabetes, the causes of sexual dysfunction in females appear to be mainly psychological, although there are also physical concerns.
Diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, is associated with a highbody mass index (BMI). In females especially, high BMIs translate to higher rates ofdepression and anxietyand, in turn, higher rates of sexual dysfunction. Moreover, the medications used to treat depression and anxiety (including antidepressants,mood stabilizers, andanxiolytics) can make things worse.
On top of this, uncontrolled hyperglycemia can reduce moisture levels in vaginal tissues, leading to vaginal dryness, pain, and an increased risk of infection.
Improving Sexual Health With Diabetes
Regardless of sex or gender, maintaining control of your blood sugar can help improve—and even normalize—many facets of your health, including your sexual health. This involvesmonitoring your blood sugar,adhering to your medications, and embracing healthy lifestyle choices like regular exercise, weight loss, and adiabetes-friendly diet.
There are also several treatments a healthcare provider may recommend for the specific types of sexual dysfunction you are experiencing.
The treatment of erectile dysfunction in people with diabetes is largely the same as in those without and may include:
Vacuum pumps,penile implants, and other therapies may be explored if ED is severely impacting your sexual health and well-being. Counseling can help address thepsychological causes of ED.
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
The treatment of sexual dysfunction in females with diabetes is more or less the same as in those without.
Depending on the symptoms and causes, the treatment may involve:
What Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement?
Tips for Feeling Comfortable at Your Next Provider Visit
It can be awkward and even embarrassing to discuss sexual problems with a healthcare provider. If you’re feeling this way, the first thing to remind yourself is that you are not alone.
Diabetes: Cause and EffectAccording to a 2021 study inDiabetic Medicine,1 in every 3 people with diabetes experiences sexual dysfunction in some form. Moreover, having diabetes increases stress, which contributes to the loss of sexual function. As such, diabetes may be both a cause and effect of sexual dysfunction.
Diabetes: Cause and Effect
According to a 2021 study inDiabetic Medicine,1 in every 3 people with diabetes experiences sexual dysfunction in some form. Moreover, having diabetes increases stress, which contributes to the loss of sexual function. As such, diabetes may be both a cause and effect of sexual dysfunction.
If you’re uncomfortable discussing sexual problems with your primary healthcare provider, ask for a referral to a specialist called anendocrinologist, who treats hormonal disorders, including diabetes. Endocrinologists have an in-depth understanding of the complications of diabetes and are experienced in dealing with sexual problems associated with the disease.
The first rule to overcoming awkwardness is to come prepared for your appointment. It often helps to make a list of your concerns so that you don’t forget anything, namely:
By focusing on the medical concerns and answering questions as honestly as possible, you can provide the specialist with the information they need to start the investigation.
Summary
People living with diabetes are at far greater risk of sexual dysfunction than people without. In males, erectile dysfunction and ejaculation problems are common concerns. In females, a loss of sexual interest, arousal problems, vaginal dryness or pain, and an inability to orgasm are linked to psychological and physical concerns.
While treatments can help overcome these symptoms (including medications, counseling, and sex therapy), an emphasis would also be placed on better managing your blood sugar and embracing lifestyle choices that improve your general health and your emotional and sexual health as well.
A Word From Verywell
Sexual health is directly linked to general health and well-being, so don’t minimize any sexual problems you have or dismiss them as “one of those things” you have to live with.
Leaving these concerns unspoken can damage relationships or isolate you if you are outside of a relationship. This can increase the risk of depression, which, in turn, affects sleep, concentration, and appetite while causing physical symptoms like headaches, muscle aches, and digestion problems.
Sexual healthisa facet of your general health. Therefore, it is in your best interest to regard it with the same importance as any other medical concern you face.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt can, although the exact cause is unknown. According to a 2014 study inDiabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity, males with diabetes have a threefold greater risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) than males without diabetes.Learn MoreErectile Dysfunction CausesYes, but it may take more than just erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs like Viagra. Many of the same factors that lead to diabetes—like obesity, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and smoking—also contribute to ED. So, the treatment plan would ideally involve lifestyle changes to better manage diabetes.Learn MoreHow to Prevent Erectile DysfunctionThere are no hard-and-fast rules as to what is the best solution if you have diabetes and sexual dysfunction. In the end, it may involve medications, counseling, and changes in lifestyle.This is especially true regarding female sexual dysfunction in which psychological causes (including anxiety and depression) may coincide with or predominate over physical ones.Learn MoreTreatment for Type 2 Diabetes
It can, although the exact cause is unknown. According to a 2014 study inDiabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity, males with diabetes have a threefold greater risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) than males without diabetes.Learn MoreErectile Dysfunction Causes
It can, although the exact cause is unknown. According to a 2014 study inDiabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity, males with diabetes have a threefold greater risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) than males without diabetes.
Learn MoreErectile Dysfunction Causes
Yes, but it may take more than just erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs like Viagra. Many of the same factors that lead to diabetes—like obesity, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and smoking—also contribute to ED. So, the treatment plan would ideally involve lifestyle changes to better manage diabetes.Learn MoreHow to Prevent Erectile Dysfunction
Yes, but it may take more than just erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs like Viagra. Many of the same factors that lead to diabetes—like obesity, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and smoking—also contribute to ED. So, the treatment plan would ideally involve lifestyle changes to better manage diabetes.
Learn MoreHow to Prevent Erectile Dysfunction
There are no hard-and-fast rules as to what is the best solution if you have diabetes and sexual dysfunction. In the end, it may involve medications, counseling, and changes in lifestyle.This is especially true regarding female sexual dysfunction in which psychological causes (including anxiety and depression) may coincide with or predominate over physical ones.Learn MoreTreatment for Type 2 Diabetes
There are no hard-and-fast rules as to what is the best solution if you have diabetes and sexual dysfunction. In the end, it may involve medications, counseling, and changes in lifestyle.This is especially true regarding female sexual dysfunction in which psychological causes (including anxiety and depression) may coincide with or predominate over physical ones.
There are no hard-and-fast rules as to what is the best solution if you have diabetes and sexual dysfunction. In the end, it may involve medications, counseling, and changes in lifestyle.
This is especially true regarding female sexual dysfunction in which psychological causes (including anxiety and depression) may coincide with or predominate over physical ones.
Learn MoreTreatment for Type 2 Diabetes
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Majorino MI, Bellastella G, Esposito K.Diabetes and sexual dysfunction: current perspectives.Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes.2014;7:95–105. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S36455World Health Organization.17. Conditions related to sexual health: paraphilic disorders. In:International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (11th Revision). Geneva, Switzerland: WHO; 2019.Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH.Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline.J Urol. 2018;200(3):633-41. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2018.05.004Tamás V, Kempler P.Sexual dysfunction in diabetes.Handb Clin Neurol. 2014;126:223-32. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-53480-4.00017-5Mostafa Ty, Abdel-Hamid IA.Ejaculatory dysfunction in men with diabetes mellitus.World J Diabetes.2021;12(7):954–74. doi:10.4239/wjd.v12.i7.954Meeking DR, Fosbury JA, Cummings MH.Sexual dysfunction and sexual health concerns in women with diabetes.Pract Diabetes.2013;30:327-31. doi:10.1002/pdi.1805Pereira-Lourenço M, Brito DV e, Pereira BJ.Premature ejaculation: from physiology to treatment.J Family Reprod Health. 2019;13(3):120-31.Abdel-Hamid IA, Ali OI.Delayed ejaculation: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.World J Mens Health. 2018;36(1):22-40. doi:10.5534/wjmh.17051Gray M, Zillioux J, Khourdaji I, Smith RP.Contemporary management of ejaculatory dysfunction.Transl Androl Urol.2018;7(4):686–702. doi:10.21037/tau.2018.06.20Van Cauwenberghe JV, Enzlin P, Nefs G, et al.Prevalence of and risk factors for sexual dysfunctions in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes: results from Diabetes MILES - Flanders.Diabetic Med.2022;39(1):e14676. doi:10.1111/dme.14676National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Majorino MI, Bellastella G, Esposito K.Diabetes and sexual dysfunction: current perspectives.Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes.2014;7:95–105. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S36455World Health Organization.17. Conditions related to sexual health: paraphilic disorders. In:International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (11th Revision). Geneva, Switzerland: WHO; 2019.Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH.Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline.J Urol. 2018;200(3):633-41. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2018.05.004Tamás V, Kempler P.Sexual dysfunction in diabetes.Handb Clin Neurol. 2014;126:223-32. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-53480-4.00017-5Mostafa Ty, Abdel-Hamid IA.Ejaculatory dysfunction in men with diabetes mellitus.World J Diabetes.2021;12(7):954–74. doi:10.4239/wjd.v12.i7.954Meeking DR, Fosbury JA, Cummings MH.Sexual dysfunction and sexual health concerns in women with diabetes.Pract Diabetes.2013;30:327-31. doi:10.1002/pdi.1805Pereira-Lourenço M, Brito DV e, Pereira BJ.Premature ejaculation: from physiology to treatment.J Family Reprod Health. 2019;13(3):120-31.Abdel-Hamid IA, Ali OI.Delayed ejaculation: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.World J Mens Health. 2018;36(1):22-40. doi:10.5534/wjmh.17051Gray M, Zillioux J, Khourdaji I, Smith RP.Contemporary management of ejaculatory dysfunction.Transl Androl Urol.2018;7(4):686–702. doi:10.21037/tau.2018.06.20Van Cauwenberghe JV, Enzlin P, Nefs G, et al.Prevalence of and risk factors for sexual dysfunctions in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes: results from Diabetes MILES - Flanders.Diabetic Med.2022;39(1):e14676. doi:10.1111/dme.14676National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Majorino MI, Bellastella G, Esposito K.Diabetes and sexual dysfunction: current perspectives.Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes.2014;7:95–105. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S36455World Health Organization.17. Conditions related to sexual health: paraphilic disorders. In:International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (11th Revision). Geneva, Switzerland: WHO; 2019.Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH.Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline.J Urol. 2018;200(3):633-41. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2018.05.004Tamás V, Kempler P.Sexual dysfunction in diabetes.Handb Clin Neurol. 2014;126:223-32. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-53480-4.00017-5Mostafa Ty, Abdel-Hamid IA.Ejaculatory dysfunction in men with diabetes mellitus.World J Diabetes.2021;12(7):954–74. doi:10.4239/wjd.v12.i7.954Meeking DR, Fosbury JA, Cummings MH.Sexual dysfunction and sexual health concerns in women with diabetes.Pract Diabetes.2013;30:327-31. doi:10.1002/pdi.1805Pereira-Lourenço M, Brito DV e, Pereira BJ.Premature ejaculation: from physiology to treatment.J Family Reprod Health. 2019;13(3):120-31.Abdel-Hamid IA, Ali OI.Delayed ejaculation: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.World J Mens Health. 2018;36(1):22-40. doi:10.5534/wjmh.17051Gray M, Zillioux J, Khourdaji I, Smith RP.Contemporary management of ejaculatory dysfunction.Transl Androl Urol.2018;7(4):686–702. doi:10.21037/tau.2018.06.20Van Cauwenberghe JV, Enzlin P, Nefs G, et al.Prevalence of and risk factors for sexual dysfunctions in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes: results from Diabetes MILES - Flanders.Diabetic Med.2022;39(1):e14676. doi:10.1111/dme.14676National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.
Majorino MI, Bellastella G, Esposito K.Diabetes and sexual dysfunction: current perspectives.Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes.2014;7:95–105. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S36455
World Health Organization.17. Conditions related to sexual health: paraphilic disorders. In:International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (11th Revision). Geneva, Switzerland: WHO; 2019.
Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH.Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline.J Urol. 2018;200(3):633-41. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2018.05.004
Tamás V, Kempler P.Sexual dysfunction in diabetes.Handb Clin Neurol. 2014;126:223-32. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-53480-4.00017-5
Mostafa Ty, Abdel-Hamid IA.Ejaculatory dysfunction in men with diabetes mellitus.World J Diabetes.2021;12(7):954–74. doi:10.4239/wjd.v12.i7.954
Meeking DR, Fosbury JA, Cummings MH.Sexual dysfunction and sexual health concerns in women with diabetes.Pract Diabetes.2013;30:327-31. doi:10.1002/pdi.1805
Pereira-Lourenço M, Brito DV e, Pereira BJ.Premature ejaculation: from physiology to treatment.J Family Reprod Health. 2019;13(3):120-31.
Abdel-Hamid IA, Ali OI.Delayed ejaculation: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.World J Mens Health. 2018;36(1):22-40. doi:10.5534/wjmh.17051
Gray M, Zillioux J, Khourdaji I, Smith RP.Contemporary management of ejaculatory dysfunction.Transl Androl Urol.2018;7(4):686–702. doi:10.21037/tau.2018.06.20
Van Cauwenberghe JV, Enzlin P, Nefs G, et al.Prevalence of and risk factors for sexual dysfunctions in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes: results from Diabetes MILES - Flanders.Diabetic Med.2022;39(1):e14676. doi:10.1111/dme.14676
National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.
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