Contents:
- Medical Video: Diabetes Signs and Symptoms (2018)
- What are the sexual problems of women who have diabetes?
- 1. Vaginal dryness
- 2. Vaginal infections
- 3. Problems with orgasm
- How to deal with sexual problems for women who have diabetes?
- Use lubricants
- Use tools
- Sports
- Maintain blood sugar levels
- Consult a doctor
Medical Video: Diabetes Signs and Symptoms (2018)
Having sex still has many benefits that are good for health even if you have diabetes. Because, sex can facilitate blood flow, help you sleep, and improve mood. But as many as 35 percent of women who have diabetes claim to experience sexual problems when dealing with their partners.
What are the sexual problems of women who have diabetes?
Complications of diabetes for men and women in their sexual lives may appear in different ways, and this sexual problem can become protracted if not addressed wisely, especially women.
Because the nerve damage caused by diabetes experienced by women is able to slow blood flow to the vaginal and genital tissues, thus affecting mood and hormonal changes. Some of the common sexual problems faced by women who have diabetes include:
1. Vaginal dryness
Vaginal dryness is the thing most often complained of by women who have diabetes. Diabetic women have twice the risk of experiencing vaginal dryness, but you can also experience if you are in the menopause or post-menopausal phase.
When the vagina is dry, the patient will feel itchy like burning in the vagina. In addition, dry vagina causes the vaginal lining to become thinner and drier so that the vagina loses its elasticity and flexibility. This is what causes discomfort and pain during intercourse.
2. Vaginal infections
Under normal conditions, the vagina does have fungal cells or bacteria that do not cause any interference because it is still in a normal amount. However, infection will occur if the fungus or bacteria breeds uncontrollably.
David G Merrero, PhD, head of health at the American Diabetes Association, said that women who have diabetes are more prone to urinary tract infections (UTI), yeast infections, and other vaginal infections. This causes vaginal irritation, which makes the pain during sex like vaginal dryness.
3. Problems with orgasm
The problem of orgasm is the biggest problem for women who have diabetes. If blood sugar levels remain high in the long run, this will potentially damage nerve cells and blood flow to sexual organs. Nervous disorders or diabetic neuropathy affect a woman's stimulation to reach the organism during intercourse.
In addition, problems with depression and anxiety due to discomfort from vaginal dryness also make interest in sexual intercourse in women with diabetes decrease.
How to deal with sexual problems for women who have diabetes?
Even though you experience sexual problems, it does not mean you cannot increase sexual satisfaction with your partner. There are several ways that can help minimize sexual problems so that your sex life is better. The following tips can you do:
Use lubricants
Vaginal lubrication is used to facilitate penetration due to vaginal dryness. But you must be careful in choosing lubricants. The reason is, some lubricants usually contain types of sugar, such as glycerin and propylene glycol, which will disrupt your vaginal pH and possibly trigger fungal infections.
Use tools
You must be smart to find ways to reach the organism with a partner. Use new techniques for sexual intercourse with sex toys or sex toy if you have lost sensation or sexual desire. The fastest way to get the stimulus you need is with a vibrator. This is done because your body reacts more slowly due to diabetes.
Sports
Sports can improve your sex life in many ways. The reason is that exercise can reduce stress, increase flexibility, produce good hormones, and make yourself feel better. In addition to exercise, you also have to keep up with a healthy diet such as eating fruits, vegetables, potatoes, nuts, and seeds that are rich in nutrients and vitamins.
Maintain blood sugar levels
You have to control blood sugar levels because maintaining blood sugar in the normal range can help protect blood vessels, prevent nerve damage, and make the vagina easier to fight infection.
Consult a doctor
Doctors can minimize the possible causes of sexual problems that you face and suggest appropriate treatment. But if you don't feel comfortable talking to your doctor about sex, you can ask for a referral to a doctor who specializes in sexual medicine.
