A recent Reuter’s article ticked me off, so I posted a blog on Health Central about it! I think blaming diabetes for low libido in this study was incorrect!
A recent study out of Belgium reported that women with type 1 diabetes have experienced some sexual difficulty. The article, published by Reuters, said that the findings also suggest depression as a key factor linked to problems with sexuality for women.
Out of 652 women with type 1 diabetes, 35 percent were classified as having sexual dysfunction. Problems reported by these women included loss of libido by 57%, problems with orgasm 51%, reduced lubrication 47%, reduced arousal 38% and pain 21%. In addition, the study noted that sexual dysfunction was linked to older women, those not being married and postmenopausal, having circulatory problems and depression. After taking into account all the various conditions that could be associated, only depression and marital status were significantly related to sexual dysfunction.
Here’s the link to the rest of the blog:
But the question is, with research saying more than 50% of all women suffer these problems, is it related to diabetes? There’s no denying pain if you feel it! I just wonder if in fact diabetes is the cause. I’ve had long discussions with my OB/gyn about it. I feel very strongly that it is fitness related. Are we getting the types of exercise that helps our libido?
I’ve never had a problem, so I can not speak from experience, but wanted to know what other women, and men!, thought.
i think the stuff that can hold you back from being a good diabetic can make you feel these ways, or at least contribute. But it’s a bigger puzzle then that. Exercise does seem like the answer to feeling good about not just sex but diabetes to. So i guess the lack of exercise and taking care of oneself while diabetic and the lack of exercise go hand and hand
Well low blood sugars kill desire!!! And erections!!! And after 30 yrs with diabetes and I can say it is a hell of alot harder to get aroused than when I was younger!! And I work out and am in good shape!! Diabetes just affect microvacualr things and destroys the important things in life!!
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for commenting! I was hoping a guy would comment! I’ve had diabetes 39 years and my libido has not suffered. In fact, I feel very very lucky, not to have any side effects to date! I may be unusual to be so lucky! Like you I suffer a bigger problem of being low, which means later being high.
Did you read the study out of England on Vitamin B?
The kicker about this is the FDA won’t allow the US to participate. check out Alliesvoice about the issues surrounding supplements.
It would be interesting if we were participating in this global study to know, if in fact vitamin b could help change the vascular problems so many people have to live with! I asked my endo about it and she discredited my comments until she saw the pilot study from England. Her next comment was it was interesting, but not a large enough study. However, this Libido and type 1 women study had only 652 women and that received huge attention as creditable. ( I see my endo on Friday… poor thing! Cuz here I come armed again!)
Hey Ann,
Im speaking as someone who’s had diabetes 18 years (i’m 29). i eat well and work out a ton- no depression or cardiovascular problems.
I havent had any problems except for when i get low blood sugar.
One thing i think should be considered in those tests is the fact that our Endocrine system is affected by diabetes. All those organs in the system are related. When our pancreases crap out it puts a strain on thyroid, adrenals, reproductive organs etc and that will mess with our hormones. we definitely gotta keep an eye on those levels.
yeah, erratic blood sugars affect mood for sure and diabetes affects overall health but we have the choice to take care of ourselves or not. i think that the type of women who wouldnt take care of herself would be more prone to depression. for example. And someone who goes to the gym isnt just rolling over and giving up so they would be healthier all around
I believe that physical/emotional/spiritual health are all related.
I’m wondering how these diabetic women in the test compare to non diabetic women???
Ann - you and I are so much alike - with the “armed again”. My endo actually blocks extra time for me when I come for my visit - since we both sit with our legs up on his desk while I explain new and wonderful things I’ve found out since my last visit to him - and we have a debate. Being an endo doesn’t mean they know everything to an exact science - but they try their best since it’s quite a large field (e.g. pancreas, thyroid, pituitary, parathyroid, adrenal glands, liver, ovaries and testicles).
As far as your blog goes (haven’t had a chance to read the full entry - just the discussions that follow) - I don’t think my having diabetes has effected my libido at all. I think for me now - it’s age (like Ryan says above) - along with having way too much on my plate - therefore - am too pooped out at night to be able to even think about abit of fun !
Your last comment was really the reason, I wrote the blog on health central. Low Libido has been on the rise for women across the board! This study didn’t say the statistics from their studies showed that normal issues surrounding diabetes like low BG and High BG were a direct cause for low libido. In fact, they sited depression and menopause were greater factors.
I don’t know if you clicked the link to the blog, but I felt that much needed to be defined as to what was a root cause from the diabetes!
I loved you comment" I havent had problems execpt for when I get low…
LOL! Mee too!! Yuk, I feel like crap for hours after a low!
Anna! You are like my diabetes twin! My appointments are often at the end of her day, so I can share with her the research and questions I have. How can you advocate for yourself unless you ask questions and do your homework! I would love to start a local group on the topic of "what is and what if?"regarding all things endocrine related! It’s why I have followed Allie Beatty of Alliesvoice. She’s now blogging for Health Central as well, her insights into diabetes management and research on diabetes always leave me wanting to know more!
When you get a chance, please read the full thing and let me know what you think!
PS. Fatigue and too much on my plate is my problem too! I’m trying to correct that little issue of mine!
I think the problem with a lot of these “studies” is that they don’t correlate the info very well with a “normal” control group… without that information, any numbers they want to spit out at us about diabetics are completely meaningless… becuase they aren’t proving anything about diabetics specifically, it’s just a survey of women.
I’ve heard estimates from various sources that up to 75% of ALL WOMEN have some form of sexual disfunction (the definition/severity of that however, is obviously subjective).
There is a whirl wind of things that can affect libido negatively like fatique, a boring Spouse(shake them up), Depression, as already mentioned on here. I think strong genes are helpful and definitely a Good testosterone level is necessary. I’ve had Diabetes for 47+ years and…I’d rather give up the occasional cherry cheesecake.
Doing Kegel exercises(developed by Dr. Arnold Kegel) strengthen(sp) the Female and Male pc muscles.
