Type 2 diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels need to be regularly monitored. These spikes and dips in blood pressure can lead to health complications. Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include weight fluctuations, frequent urination, blurred vision, fatigue, an increase in hunger, and an increase in thirst, to name a few. But one symptom is often overlooked as a diabetes sign but can shed light into your health. This is your libido and sexual function.
Poor sexual function is a symptom of diabetes as it’s the result of high blood sugar. Diabetes can also negatively affect your sex life as a result of diabetic neuropathy, which is when nerves become damaged due to prolonged uncontrolled high blood sugar. If the nerves in your sexual organs become damaged, it can lead to dysfunction. In fact, sexual dysfunction is the most common diabetic symptom in men.
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The same could be said for women who experience diabetic neuropathy. This condition could cause the vagina to become less sensitive to stimulation, which can cause a lack of lubrication making sex less enjoyable and possibly even painful.
Both men and women may experience a drop in libido if diabetes is not well controlled.
These side effects of uncontrolled diabetes lend way to the importance of proper management of sugar levels. This means adhering to the right lifestyle changes to better manage sugar levels, such as regular exercise and eating well.
You will also want to incorporate other heart-healthy lifestyle practices to ensure your heart is functioning well, which is another essential element of sex. The heart is responsible for pumping blood to the sexual organs. This means not smoking, reducing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, sleeping well, and monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
If you have been experiencing sexual dysfunction, it may be time to speak to your doctor about a possible diabetes diagnosis or working with your doctor to better control already existing diabetes.
Also read:
- What causes low libido in men and how to increase it?
- The best foods to boost libido
- 5 Essential oils to boost libido
- You’re at risk of diabetes if you have these symptoms
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
