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Diabetes Affects Women's Sex Life

Posted: Wednesday, May 20, 2009

According to a new study, over one-third of women with Type 1 diabetes have some form of sexual difficulty and depression is one of the key factors.

The findings also suggest that depression is a key factor linked to the problems with sexuality for such women. In contrast to what has been shown in men, however, complications from diabetes itself do not have a significant impact.

The study involved 652 women with Type 1 diabetes. After 10 years, the participants completed a sexual function questionnaire and underwent a physical examination, an evaluation of mood, and laboratory testing.

Dr. Paul Enzlin, from Leuven University in Belgium, and colleagues found that thirty-five percent of the women were classified as having sexual dysfunction.

Problems reported by these women included loss of libido by 57 percent, problems with orgasm by 51 percent, reduced lubrication by 47 percent, reduced arousal by 38 percent, and pain by 21 percent.

On initial analysis, sexual dysfunction was linked to older age, not being married, being postmenopausal, having circulatory problems, and depression. After taking into account various other conditions that could affect these associations, only depression and marital status were significantly related to sexual dysfunction.

"Similar to the annual evaluation of diabetes complications," Enzlin's team concludes, "women with Type 1 diabetes should also be regularly queried about the presence of depressive symptoms, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction."

Source: Diabetes In Control: Diabetes Care, May 2009.